Contextual Issues
Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4:11
Content – Most Christians have spiritualized this verse. We read this as if it were about an inner state of equilibrium of the soul. Because we think of Paul’s statement as a declaration of spiritual tranquility, we hold up this standard for our own lives. We want to experience that inner contentment, that state of mind where the external world doesn’t bother us anymore. In other words, we read this like Greeks.
But just the smallest bit of research demonstrates that Paul is not talking about inner spiritual tranquility. In fact, according to the Greek text, he is saying something that most of us would reject. The Greek verb he uses is autarkes. It comes from two Greek words, autos and arkeo. It literally means “self-sufficient.” Paul is saying that he has learned to rely on himself no matter what his circumstances. This is hardly palatable to the ordinary evangelical today. We have been taught that self-sufficiency is a bad thing. We are to depend on God, not on ourselves. Paul is not contradicting this principle. He is saying that in the course of his life experiences, he has learned to accept his own situation as sufficient. He isn’t counting on others to fix his life’s problems. Whatever his wants might be, he has learned to accept his own lot in life. It is his – and it is enough for him.
A bit more research shows us that autarkes is used only once in the LXX equivalent of our Bible, in Proverbs 30:22 where it describes a slave who is stuffed with food. The Hebrew term is ‘avah. The primary meaning of this word is to be positively inclined toward authority, but in this verse in Proverbs it is about being satiated – to acquiesce to the desire for a full stomach. If this is what Paul has in mind, if he takes the word autarkes in the classical Greek sense, then we are likely to end up with ‘avah and read Paul’s statement as if he were commenting on a sense of being full (in whatever sense that might be).
Interestingly, this is not the usual Hebrew word for “content.” The usual Hebrew word is ya’al (see Exodus 2:21 or Joshua 17:12). Ya’al provides the real insight into the Hebrew worldview. Scholars struggle with ya’al because it covers such a wide umbrella of meanings. But perhaps one element can be uncovered. Ya’al seems to be about beginning something that is difficult to do. It is about deciding to take a course of action in spite of hesitancy or resistance for a variety of reasons, but determining to go forward anyway. Contentment is resolved determination to act regardless of the difficulties. This is the Hebrew view. It is self-sufficiency as a description of the process, not a prescription for the process. The difference is crucial, so we need to make it very clear.
A description is the elucidation of some characteristic resident within the person, object or event. It is simply elaborating what is already there. A prescription is a formula for action. A prescription tells me what to do. A description tells me what has already been done. When it comes to ya’al, contentment is a state of resolved persistence that has already begun. It is not a command to take action. Much like Yeshua’s use of the term “Blessed” (makarioi in Greek, ‘ashrei in Hebrew), ya’al works like an adjective, not a verb. It tells us more about the person’s state of being than it tells us what someone must do. We don’t find contentment by working our way toward self-sufficiency. We are content when our lives are characterized by a resolute persistence in the face of difficulties. Contentment is not the goal. It is the by-product of perseverance.
Consider your own circumstances. Is discontent part of your present state of mind? Have you been trying to find the secret to contentment? Perhaps the reason you struggle is your misunderstanding of the Hebrew point of view. You are chasing the wrong reward. Make perseverance in God’s ways your object – and before too long you may surprisingly discover that you are content.
Topical Index: contentment, autarkes, self-sufficiency, ‘avah, ya’al, Philippians 4:11, Exodus 2:21, Joshua 17:12, Proverbs 30:22
Contentment is resolved determination to act regardless of the difficulties. Contentment is not the goal. It is the by-product of perseverance.
..for I have learned to be… contentment is a learned behavior. It is not resident in the “natural man” because the heart of anyone outside of Christ is found “weighed in the balances” and found wanting. Jesus Christ,is the True Treasure and Pearl of Great Price!
I work in a “firehouse” environment. I am daily engaged with a group of about twenty or so individuals of various backgrounds and ethnicities. A good mix. I able able to observe their behavior and listen to their words as they also are able to observe my peccadillos.
Each individual is “pursuing” something. Whether shopping on Ebay, or planning the next motorcycle adventure,or vacation, each has a plan or goal. Whether considering a new motorcycle or “tricking out” an existing one-they daily are “in pursuit” of something.
See if your heart “resonates” with these words:
Friends all around me are trying to find
What the heart yearns for, by sin undermined;
I have the secret, I know where ’tis found:
Only true pleasures in Jesus abound.
All that I want is in Jesus.
He satisfies, joy He supplies;
Life would be worthless without Him;
All things in Jesus I find.
Some carry burdens whose weight has for years
Crushed them with sorrow and blinded with tears.
Yet One stands ready to help them just now,
If they will humbly in penitence bow.
No other name thrills the joy chords within,
And through none else is remission of sin.
He knows the pain of the heart sorely tried.
Both need and want will by Him be supplied.
Jesus is all this poor world needs today.
Blindly they strive, for sin darkens their way.
O to draw back the grim curtains of night,
One glimpse of Jesus and all will be bright!
Or consider this from another source: As Yogi Berra once said- “you can observe a lot, just by watching”
Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,
By His presence all divine?
True and tender, pure and precious,
O how blest to call Him mine!
All that thrills my soul is Jesus;
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.
Love of Christ so freely given,
Grace of God beyond degree,
Mercy higher than the heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea!
What a wonderful redemption!
Never can a mortal know
How my sin, tho’ red like crimson,
Can be whiter than the snow.
Ev’ry need His hand supplying,
Ev’ry good in Him I see;
On His strength divine relying,
He is all in all to me.
By the crystal flowing river
With the ransomed I will sing,
And forever and forever
Praise and glorify the King.
It has been said (and I believe rightly so)- “the way to take a bone away from a dog is to given him a steak.” The problem we encounter is most “dogs” have never seen “the steak!”
Have we “seen” Jesus? Do we recognize what we have “in Christ?” Is He of supreme worth and value to us? Is He worthy of our time and efforts? Is G-d real to us? What is our “take” on the Bible? Are these G-d’s words” or that big black leather-bound book- just another book sitting, -collecting dust on the shelf?
“Does Jesus live at your house?”
I heard a child once ask:
Her little brow was furrowed
As she struggled with a task.
I saw her eyes were shadowed,
Her face marked with a tear;
The voice a wee bit wistful
For the answer she might hear.
“He used to live at our house,
With Mamma—Daddy, too.
But now He’s gone away somewhere.
I don’t know what to do;
For Daddy’s not the same today,
And Mamma laughs no more.
They never bother much with me;
They say I’m just a bore.
“It didn’t used to be this way
With Jesus in our home,
For every night my daddy came,
When all my curls were combed,
To help me say my bedtime prayer
(And Mamma helped me, too);
And they’d smile and tuck me in,
But now—they never do.
“Could you tell me where Jesus is,
For everything seems black?
We want Him in our house again;
We want Him to come back.
And when He comes we’ll keep Him,
For we truly need Him so—
If Jesus lives at your house,
Oh, don’t ever let Him go!”
The child then turned and left me
While I pursued my way
And thought of many home fires
That could be bright today.
Does Jesus live at your house?
How much these words portend.
Yea! On this question’s answer
Our hopes—our all—depend.
Godliness (god-likeness) with contentment (ya’al y’all) is great gain. (1 Timothy 6.6)
Every one of us “desires” -“more”. The big question is: “more of what?” (or rather:- more of Who?)
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
and yes,.. -Hallelujah!- there is more!!!
This principle has application in many types of B2B sales. If a salesperson in these types of jobs places primary focus on the end-result, a sale, you spend a lot of time being unhappy. Depending on what is being sold there can be weeks or even months between sales.
One’s own strategic profitable activity is the place to find contentment. If one has a salable product or service and is skilled at their job the result will come. The time in between sales can be difficult if the salesperson is seeking contentment in anything outside their own skilled resolute persistence.
I have known this principle exists in business. I did not know it had foundation in scripture.
The “goal” or “end” is godliness. Being conformed to the image of the Son, our elder brother who was the “spitting image” of His Father, is the “end” result of living our lives for Him and His purposes. (of course this is NEVER ending for those who are timebound thinkers) Jesus spoke and lived obedience as our example of godliness. He lived it as the God/ man and paved the way for our ability to live likewise, as obedient servants of our Benefactor…thankfully toward our Father in all things, mercifully and graciously toward others, as He is toward us. The fullness of the Spirit will leave less room for “other things” to entice us toward discontentment. 1Timothy 6:6
Pressing on…Philippians 3:14
Would we be “content” if the following were true in our lives?
All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, what e’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, what e’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me; cheers each winding path I tread,
gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread,
though my weary steps may falter and my soul athirst may be,
gushing from the Rock before me. Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house in love.
When my spirit, clothed in mortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages; Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.
Thank you, brother for this. I was awakened early this morning, long (years) after you posted this study, with the realization that I have not been content with accepting my lot in life, as it is, according to His sovereignty, “according to the good pleasure of his will” as Ephesians 1:5 puts it. It is what He has given me to fulfill His purposes in and through me. It may not be particularly pleasant to experience in the present, but it is exactly what I need to be conformed to His image in the fulfillment of His purposes for me.