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"self-sufficient, independent" (Manual Greek Lexicon of the N.T. by Abbott-Smith).
`Content' as the A.V. is misleading, as is the translation `therewith'. The R.V. is the
better rendering, `therein'. Paul was not content with his circumstances, but he was
independent IN them. The Stoics used the same word and tried to face with equanimity
and resolution all that life brought to them in difficulty and sorrow, but they attempted
this in their own strength and often failed. Paul, however, is going to reveal his secret as
to how he lived victoriously under all conditions however extreme. He could have
everything and yet nothing. He could be full and at another time empty; he could be
abased and yet abound. `I have been initiated into a secret' he declared, using mueo a
word which primarily meant `to initiate into the mysteries' of the pagan cults.
The Lord had made known to Paul many secrets. He was indeed a steward of the
mysteries (secrets) of God, and many of us are rejoicing in the great ones revealed in
Eph. 3: But here was a secret devoted entirely to practice:
"I have strength for everything in Him Who makes me strong" (4: 13).
The Apostle had no `confidence in the flesh' (3: 3). He was well aware of his own
weakness, yet realized that it was in this condition he could experience the mighty
resurrection power of the risen and ascended Christ.
To him the Saviour revealed:
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me . . . . . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong"
(II Cor. 12: 9, 10).
Here is the secret then that we all must learn to put into practice if we are going to
triumph over all circumstances instead of being overwhelmed by them, that is absolute
confidence in the power of the Lord's resurrection that can `work in us', and no
confidence in self. No wonder Paul aimed at realizing more and more in experience of
the `power of His resurrection'! (3: 10) and the Lord's ability to match every situation
that could occur.
Paul now resumes his appreciation of the Philippian church's assistance: "Howbeit ye
did well, that ye had fellowship with my affliction". To `have fellowship' or `share'
meant more than appreciating doctrine together. It meant to share practically in another's
need, and this characterized the Philippians' relationship with the Apostle from the very
beginning of his gospel work at Philippi (verse 15) and later on when he was at
Thessalonica. They had sent gifts to him `once and again', that is, more than once they
had practically remembered him. The Apostle here uses commercial terms fruit, abound,
account. He did not personally seek any gift. His overriding desire was `fruit that
increaseth to your account' (verse 17 R.V.). Moule translates this as `the interest which
is accruing to your credit'. The Philippian gift was like an investment that would repay
rich dividends in the service of the Lord, as accumulating interest stands to the credit of a
depositor which, in the day of Christ, would not go unrecognized by the righteous Judge
(II Tim. 4: 8).