The Verse in Focus (Philippians 4:11)
οὐχ ὅτι καθ’ ὑστέρησιν λέγω· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι
οὐχ ὅτι… λέγω: Clarifying Motive
Paul opens this sentence with a familiar construction:
– οὐχ ὅτι — literally “not that…” This is an idiom used to deny a misunderstanding of what was just said.
– καθ’ ὑστέρησιν — “according to need” or “from a place of lack.” The preposition κατά with the accusative implies cause or standard.
– λέγω — “I say” (present active indicative of λέγω).
Together: “Not that I am speaking from need.” Paul wants to make it clear that his appreciation (for the Philippians’ support) isn’t rooted in desperation.
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον: A Personal Testimony
This next clause begins with emphatic personal language:
– ἐγὼ — “I,” placed first for emphasis.
– γὰρ — explanatory: “for” or “because.”
– ἔμαθον — aorist active indicative of μανθάνω, “to learn.”
Paul speaks of a definitive past learning experience. This isn’t head knowledge — it’s something learned through lived experience.
ἐν οἷς εἰμι: Content in Circumstances
This prepositional phrase shows where this learning took place:
– ἐν — “in” or “within.”
– οἷς — a relative pronoun, dative neuter plural, “in the things in which…”
– εἰμι — “I am,” present indicative of εἰμί.
This phrase could be rendered: “in whatever circumstances I am.” The grammar highlights that Paul’s contentment is not theoretical — it’s situationally grounded.
αὐτάρκης εἶναι: The Virtue of Self-Sufficiency
This final infinitival phrase defines what Paul learned:
– αὐτάρκης — an adjective meaning “self-sufficient,” “content,” or “independent of external circumstances.” In Stoic philosophy, it referred to an inner peace unaffected by external need — but Paul redefines it theologically, not philosophically.
– εἶναι — present active infinitive of εἰμί, “to be.”
The phrase αὐτάρκης εἶναι functions as the complement of ἔμαθον: “I have learned to be content.”
The Infinitive of Inner Strength
Philippians 4:11 is a sentence shaped by humility and peace. Through an aorist verb of learning (ἔμαθον), a prepositional phrase of lived experience (ἐν οἷς εἰμι), and an infinitive of being (αὐτάρκης εἶναι), Paul shows that contentment isn’t circumstantial — it’s cultivated. Greek grammar frames this not as a Stoic detachment, but as a Spirit-formed posture: a heart steady, regardless of need, because it rests in Christ.
