Today's Scripture
Philippians 4:10–13 (NIV)
Insight
Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers is one of his Prison Epistles, so called because they were composed during his time of incarceration by the Roman authorities. It’s from his imprisonment that Paul discusses the “secret of being content” (4:12). There’s an interesting split between how Paul describes his circumstances and his response to them. He “knows” what his circumstances are: he’s experienced plenty, want, and hunger. But his response of contentment has been “learned” (v. 11). In other words, his contentment wasn’t a natural response to his difficult circumstances. He had to experience hardship and, by God’s strength, learn how to respond (v. 13).
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