Philippians 4:9-11 Being content with self-sufficiency

Special words
1=ε‑στιν	is	(1 lambda)
2=α‑λη‑θη	true	εληνα=
3=σεμ‑να	important	=Greek
4=δι‑και‑α	righteous	καινα=
5=αγ‑να	pure	=new
6=προ ‑σφι‑λη	lovely
7=ευ‑φη ‑μα	good report	προφητη =
8=α‑ρε‑τη	virtue	=prophet
9=ε‑παι‑νος	praise	παιζε=
10=λο‑γι‑ζε‑σθε	reasoned	=plays

Pastors may try to fit the words into a Christian lifestyle.

We are asked to "logically" "calculate" or "reason" about the words, not "think".

Start by dividing the Greek words into syllables. There may be other ways.

Note: The "Greek" may be a female name and relate to the use of female names as codes in the previous verses. Another connection might be a feminine form of the ancient Greek word "Λῆμνος" ≈ "Lumnos" as an island and coming from a Semitic word for "white".

More: Philippians 4:8 Logical calculation

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [kjv]

α και εμαθετε και παρελαβετε και ηκουσατε και ειδετε εν εμοι ταυτα πρασσετε και ο θεος της ειρηνης εσται μεθ υμων [gnt]

4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [kjv]

εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε [gnt]

Philippians 4:9

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KJV: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Greek: α και εμαθετε και παρελαβετε και ηκουσατε και ειδετε εν εμοι ταυτα πρασσετε και ο θεος της ειρηνης εσται μεθ υμων

Philippians 4:10

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KJV: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Greek: εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

In Philippians 4:11, the KJV (King James Version) says that Paul says that he has learned to be "content" in whatsoever state he finds himself.

Might there be a reason why, at some point, the church preferred followers to be "content" in a passive way, as in "having enough", rather than be "self-sufficient" in an active way?

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

The Greek word translated "content" is made up of two parts that, literally, mean that of being "self-sufficient". This comes though Latin into the Middle Ages.

Some background is needed on the Greek for "sufficient" which is related to the Latin word for "ark" as in a box.

The English word "ark" comes from the Latin word "arca" ≈ "chest, box" and comes from the Latin word "arceo" ≈ "defend, enclose" as in something that encloses something else.
The Latin word is cognate to the ancient Greek word "ἀρκέω" ≈ "ward off, defend, suffice, have enough" and is part of the Greek word for "self-sufficiency". The PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*HERK" ≈ "protect" is to guard or hold.

The Latin word become associated with Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant.

A related Latin word is the Latin word "arcanus" ≈ "hidden, secret" and is the source of the English word "arcane" as something hidden in some obscure way.

[ark as a business venture]

More: The enclosing of an ark

Let us look at the verse itself and then at the larger context.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

The KJV infers and translates a Greek pronoun meaning "that which" as "state" as in a "condition".

*G3739 *1396 ὅς (hos) : he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.

Words: α=115 αι=5 αις=15 ας η=42 ην=97 ης=49 ο=246 οι=34 οις=46 ον=166 ος=217 ου=114 ους=51 ω=121 ων=79

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

A joke from the English of this verse is that Paul must not have been a Texan as he was "content" to be in any "state".

1	Delaware
2	Pennsylvania
3	New Jersey
4	Georgia
5	Connecticut
6	Massachusetts
7	Maryland

Note that the three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. The fourth state is plasma (disassociated ions). The fifth "state" of matter might be in Connecticut (the 5th state into the union).

Note: In the beginning of Genesis, if the word "waters" is replaced with "plasma", the creation story makes a lot more sense.

Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [kjv]

1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [kjv]

1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. [kjv]

… יום … [he]

The "waters" in the creation story in Genesis 1 fit well with the physical properties of a "plasma", as the entropy (disorder) of the system of the created universe is decreased each day.

More: Genesis 1: Evening and morning

More: Plasma

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "αὐτάρκεια" ≈ "self-sufficient" and is in the KJV translated as "content".

The ancient Greek word "αὐτός" ≈ "self, same" and is the source of English words starting with prefix "auto"
The ancient Greek word "ἀρκέω" ≈ "defend, suffice, have enough".

The English word "autarky" is from the ancient Greek word "αὐτάρκεια" ≈ "self-sufficient" and means an economic independence or self-sufficiency.

In the world of today it is not really possible to be totally self-sufficient. In OT (Old Testament) times, there were groups that raised their own crops, etc. Even Jacob, during the famine, needed to send his sons to Egypt for food. And Joseph was there because he was sold to a traveling merchant caravan.

The English word "autarchy" is a self-rule of government.

The ancient Greek word "αὐτόματος" ≈ "self-willed, self-moving" and is the source of the English word "automatic" and comes from two Greek words.

The ancient Greek word "αὐτο" ≈ "self" (and is a pronoun for masculine "it" or "he").
The ancient Greek word "μένος" ≈ "mind" as in thinking.

The GNT (Greek New Testament) uses the word for "automatic" to refer to fruit growing automatically on trees and for automatic doors.

Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. [kjv]

αυτοματη γαρ η γη καρποφορει πρωτον χορτον ειτα ειτεν σταχυν ειτα ειτεν πληρη σιτον εν τω σταχυι [gnt]

The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself - automatically. The ancient Greek word "αὐτόματος" ≈ "self-willed, self-moving" and is the source of the English word "automatic" and comes from two Greek words.

The ancient Greek word "αὐτο" ≈ "self" (and is a pronoun for masculine "it" or "he").
The ancient Greek word "μένος" ≈ "mind" as in thinking.

The GNT uses the word for "automatic" to refer to fruit growing automatically on trees and for automatic doors.

More: Genesis 1:11-13 A seed within itself, the chicken or the egg

More: Stoics and Epicureans

Mark 4:28

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KJV: For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

Greek: αυτοματη γαρ η γη καρποφορει πρωτον χορτον ειτα ειτεν σταχυν ειτα ειτεν πληρη σιτον εν τω σταχυι

Acts 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. [kjv]

διελθοντες δε πρωτην φυλακην και δευτεραν ηλθον ηλθαν επι την πυλην την σιδηραν την φερουσαν εις την πολιν ητις αυτοματη ηνοιχθη ηνοιγη αυτοις και εξελθοντες προηλθον ρυμην μιαν και ευθεως απεστη ο αγγελος απ αυτου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "αὐτόματος" ≈ "self-willed, self-moving" and is the source of the English word "automatic". The doors opened "automatically" and led to a "street" of "hustle and bustle" which comes from "ῥύμη" ≈ "force of a body in motion, charge of soldiers".

The KJV translation of this verse is the source of some jokes that it involved a Honda Accord (a model of car).

More: Streets: Flowing after a path into a plaza

More: Third person reflexive references

Acts 12:10

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KJV: When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

Greek: διελθοντες δε πρωτην φυλακην και δευτεραν ηλθον ηλθαν επι την πυλην την σιδηραν την φερουσαν εις την πολιν ητις αυτοματη ηνοιχθη ηνοιγη αυτοις και εξελθοντες προηλθον ρυμην μιαν και ευθεως απεστη ο αγγελος απ αυτου

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

The meaning of "content" in modern Greek is the same as in ancient times.

The modern Greek word "αυτάρκεια" (av-TAR-kee-a) ≈ "self-sufficient".

The modern Greek word "αρκετός" (ar-keh-TOS) ≈ "enough, adequate, sufficient".

Philippians 4:11

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KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Greek: ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι

Latin: non quasi propter penuriam dico ego enim didici in quibus sum sufficiens esse

Wycliffe: for Y haue lerud to be sufficient in whiche thingis Y am.

Gothic: ni thatei bi tharbai qithau, unte ik galaisida mik in thaimei im ganohiths wisan.

Luther: Nicht sage ich das des Mangels halben; denn ich habe gelernet, bei welchen ich bin, mir genügen lassen.

Spanish: No lo digo porque tenga escasez; pues he aprendido a contentarme, cualquiera que sea mi situación.

Portuguese: Não falo assim por me sentir carecido. Pois, no meu caso, aprendi a ser autónomo nas situações em que me encontre.

The English word "sufficient" comes, through French, from the Latin word "sufficiens" ≈ "imbuing" which comes from the Latin word "sufficio" ≈ "supply, provide".

The Latin word "sub" ≈ "under, behind".
The Latin word "facio" ≈ "do, make".

The Latin Vulgate has "sufficient" but lacks the sense of "self" as in "self-sufficient". This lack of "self" appears to have continued to later translations.

προς Φιλιππησίους δ΄:11 ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

… sufficiens … [v]

for Y haue lerud to be sufficient in whiche thingis Y am. [wy]

The Wycliffe translation uses "sufficient", which might be from influence of the Latin Vulgate. Note also that the Middle English in the Wycliffe version uses "Y am" for "I am", while "Y" was used for what became "I".

The German word "genug" ≈ "sufficient".
The German word "genügen" ≈ "suffice, be sufficient".

At some point, the idea of being "sufficient" moved to that of being "content".

The English word "content" comes from the Middle English word "contenten" ≈ "satisfy" and is from the Latin word "contentus" ≈ "contained, satisfied" which is from the Latin word "continere" ≈ "contain".

The English word "content" (accent on second syllable) has the implication of being "sufficient" in "oneself".

Accent on first syllable: of what something consists that is enclosed by some bounds
Accent on second syllable: feeling satisfied without a change needed

More: Syllable accent change over time

The more active idea of being "self-sufficient" changed to the more passive idea of being "content". The

Greek "self-sufficient" went to
Latin "sufficient" went to
English "sufficient" went to
English "content".

A word slide appears to have happened.

More: Word slides

The Stoic philosophical idea of "self-sufficiency" had to do with focusing time and energy on things on which one could have some control and impact. The four main "virtues" of Stoicism that arise from "self-sufficiency" are the following.

wisdom
justice
courage
moderation

In Stephen Covey's book 7 habits of highly effective people (1989) the idea of self-sufficiency is expressed as "shrinking one's domain of concern to one's domain of influence". That is, proactive people focus on what they can do and influence.

In management terms, this is balancing responsibility with authority.

Jesus brings out the same idea with shaking the dust off of one's sandals and leaving if an area is not receptive to the message. Paul brings out this message in Philippians in various ways.

The Gothic word "ganohiþs" ≈ "satisfy, make abundant".

This Greek word for "self-sufficiency" had a philosophical meaning to the Stoics. This would have been more understood in Athens and Ephesus but less understood in other areas. Phillipi had some unique features.

The people were granted the coveted "Roman citizenship" after the battle of Phillipi where the conspirators who murdered Caesar and their followers were defeated.
The gold mines in the area, though declining, left certain people with wealth. This is seen in the street vendors hawking wares and what happens when Paul brings out the fortune-telling "spirit" of one slave girl working for those vendors.

*G842 *1 αὐτάρκης (ow-tar'-kace) : from G846 and G714; self-complacent, i.e. contented:--content.

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αυταρκης

Philippians 4:11 ... whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: [kjv]

δυνατος δυνατει δε ο θεος πασαν χαριν περισσευσαι εις υμας ινα εν παντι παντοτε πασαν αυταρκειαν εχοντες περισσευητε εις παν εργον αγαθον [gnt]

How does changing "sufficiency" to "self-sufficiency" change the meaning of the verse?

This "self-sufficiency" is that of coming from God rather than from one's own efforts. A word for this in the GNT from the Hebrew is "mammon"

More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon

2 Corinthians 9:8

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KJV: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Greek: δυνατος δυνατει δε ο θεος πασαν χαριν περισσευσαι εις υμας ινα εν παντι παντοτε πασαν αυταρκειαν εχοντες περισσευητε εις παν εργον αγαθον

Latin: potens est autem Deus omnem gratiam abundare facere in vobis ut in omnibus semper omnem sufficientiam habentes abundetis in omne opus bonum

Wycliffe: And God is miyti to make al grace abounde in you, that ye in alle thingis euere more han al sufficience, and abounde in to al good werk;

Gothic: aththan mahteigs ist guth alla anst ufarassjan in izwis, ei in allamma sinteino allis ganauhan habandans ufarassjaith in allamma waurstwe godaize,

Luther: Gott aber kann machen, daß allerlei Gnade unter euch reichlich sei, daß ihr in allen Dingen volle Genüge habet und reich seid zu allerlei guten Werken,

Spanish: Y poderoso es Dios para hacer que abunde en vosotros toda gracia; a fin de que, teniendo siempre toda suficiencia en todas las cosas, abundéis para toda buena obra;

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. [kjv]

εστιν δε πορισμος μεγας η ευσεβεια μετα αυταρκειας [gnt]

… sufficientia [v]

How does changing "sufficiency" to "self-sufficiency" change the meaning of the verse?

"godliness with contentment"
"godliness with self-sufficiency"

Here Paul is speaking to people in Ephesus which would be more aware of the philosophical meaning and background of the Greek word for "self-sufficiency".

1 Timothy 6:6

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KJV: But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Greek: εστιν δε πορισμος μεγας η ευσεβεια μετα αυταρκειας

Latin: est autem quaestus magnus pietas cum sufficientia

Gothic: aththan ist gawaurki mikil gagudei mith ganauhin.

Luther: Es ist aber ein großer Gewinn, wer gottselig ist und lässet sich genügen.

Spanish: Pero gran ganancia es la piedad con contentamiento.

Portuguese: A piedade é, realmente, uma grande fonte de lucro para quem se contenta com o que tem.

Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. [kjv]

He maintained him in the wilderness, in burning thirst and a dry land: he led him about and instructed him, and kept him as the apple of an eye. [bs3]

Where they "maintained"? Were they "found"?

Were they "self-sufficient"?

Deuteronomy 32:10

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KJV: He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Hebrew: ימצאהו בארץ מדבר ובתהו ילל ישמן יסבבנהו יבוננהו יצרנהו כאישון עינו׃

Greek: αυταρκησεν αυτον εν γη ερημω εν διψει καυματος εν ανυδρω εκυκλωσεν αυτον και επαιδευσεν αυτον και διεφυλαξεν αυτον ως κοραν οφθαλμου

Brenton: He maintained him in the wilderness, in burning thirst and a dry land: he led him about and instructed him, and kept him as the apple of an eye.

Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: [kjv]

Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient: [bs3]

Does "self-sufficient" fit here? God provides what is "needed" but one must then do something to take advantage of what is provided. This is similar to "manna" in the wilderness.

Details are left as a future topic.

Proverbs 30:8

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KJV: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Hebrew: שוא ודבר כזב הרחק ממני ראש ועשר אל תתן לי הטריפני לחם חקי׃

Greek: ματαιον λογον και ψευδη μακραν μου ποιησον πλουτον δε και πενιαν μη μοι δως συνταξον δε μοι τα δεοντα και τα αυταρκη

Brenton: Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient:

Latin: vanitatem et verba mendacia longe fac a me mendicitatem et divitias ne dederis mihi tribue tantum victui meo necessaria

*G5304 *2 ὑστέρησις (hoos-ter'-ay-sis) : a falling short, i.e. (specially), penury:--want.

Usage

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υστερησεως

Mark 12:44 ... she of her want did cast in all that ...

υστερησιν

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, ...

Let us return to the context of Philippians 4. This is the last chapter.

In general, the first and last part of a letter are somewhat boilerplate and pleasantries. It is not good to make too much of a theological statement from such verses while skipping the middle parts of the letter which was the reason the letter was written.

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [kjv]

εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε [gnt]

That is, they have neglected, or been late in meeting, what he needed. The "lacked opportunity" means "did not have the time" and provides a nice out for the Philippians.

The "care" and "careful" are the Greek words that can be though of as being prudent, sensible or opportunistic.

More: A wise opportunity to be prudent

Philippians 4:10

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KJV: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Greek: εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε

We now have the main verse of the current discussion.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

This might be stated as follows.

Possible translation: Not that I speak in regards to being late in my needs being met (on your part) for I have learned in that respect to be self-sufficient.

Philippians 4:11

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KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Greek: ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι

In Philippians 4:11, the KJV says that Paul says that he has learned to be "content" in whatsoever state he finds himself.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

Might there be a reason why, at some point, the church preferred followers to be "content" in a passive way, as in "having enough", rather than be "self-sufficient" in an active way?

To abstract is to take away from the essentials and thereby to ignore certain differences.
The similarity is what is the same. The difference is what is different.

Human brains are built for complex abstraction.

The Latin word "abstractus" ≈ "take away from". In abstract art, something is taken away, something remains, one needs to then interpret what is meant or intended.

More: Abstraction

In simple terms, "abstraction" is looking at similarities and ignoring differences. The Latin word "abstractus" ≈ "take away from".

Sometimes there appear to be no similarities, only differences.

More: Abstractions

Sometimes there appear to be no similarities between viewpoints.

Henry Kissinger (1923-2023) would try to get two parties to agree on something, often to agree that they disagreed. This is a self-referential paradox that was used to get the two sides talking.

Idea put into action: "A peace without victory is a victory for peace".

Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) [1816 Year without a summer]
Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919)

More: Abstractions

Many people would like to think that God's view and man's view are totally opposite (mutually exclusive) with no intersection. That is:

Everything that is not God's view is man's view.
Everything that is not man's view is God's view.

In reality, there are some similarities which makes it more difficult. The disagreement should be on what they are and to what extent they exist.

Many people would like to think that theology as God's view and philosophy as man's view are totally opposite (mutually exclusive) with no intersection.

If this were the case, thinking and decisions might be easier or, at least, more clear cut and not so ambiguous.

Philosophy is man's wisdom but there can be some overlap with God's wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [kjv]

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [kjv]

1 Corinthians 1:25

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KJV: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Greek: οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν

Colossians 2:8

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KJV: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Greek: βλεπετε μη τις υμας εσται ο συλαγωγων δια της φιλοσοφιας και κενης απατης κατα την παραδοσιν των ανθρωπων κατα τα στοιχεια του κοσμου και ου κατα χριστον

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]

ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]

Paul appears to be saying that there is a "virtue" in "self-sufficiency". Some commentators will try to make this a verbal assault on the philosophy of the Stoics. Paul is just agreeing that in both God's view and in man's view, "self-sufficiency" can be good.

However, self-sufficiency outside of Christ's view is not good. Another name for the idea of "self-sufficiency" is that of "mammon".

More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon

As a practical matter of the reality in which we live, one cannot be a "bump on a log" and not do anything to be "self-sufficient" in this world. Some examples:

Parable of the 10 virgins, 5 prudent and 5 not-prudent
Parable of the talents: no good news for the one not doing anything

So the saying that "Christ is my self-sufficiency" as found in some commentaries is less than useful.

"No man is an island".

The saying "no man is an island" is from a poem by Englishman John Donne (1572-1631) in 1624.
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. Wikipedia

More: Ephesians 6: Defending the full armor of God

Throughout the letter to the Ephesians Paul talks about self-sufficiency and yet there is an interdependence and reliance and support of others as members of the body of Christ.

Paul summarizes this need to "work together" in Ephesians 6 (the last chapter).

More: Ephesians 6: Defending the full armor of God

Two verses later Paul points out an important difference between God's view and man's view in terms of Christ.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [kjv]

To be able to do "all things" is a lot. It appears that Paul is saying that he is made "stronger" or "better" in "everything" through Jesus Christ.

"All things" with no bounds is unrealistic.
"Everything" within a given domain is more realistic.

Example:

All things are possible for you.
Everything that you can attempt to do (that exists) is possible.

More: Everything and all things: But wait, there's more

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [kjv]

παντα ισχυω εν τω ενδυναμουντι με χριστω [gnt]

Can one really do "all things"? There are many changes from the Greek.

The word "Christ" is inferred from the pronoun "Him" as "τω" ≈ "(wrt) him/it".
The Greek "in" is changed to "through".
The Greek "am made strong", is changed to "can do".
The Greek "all" with implied "these things" (i.e., in the previous verse) is changed to "all (things)".
The Greek "potential to do" is changed to "strengtheneth".

Greek paraphrase: In all these things (just mentioned), I am given potential (to accomplish) in Him.

It appears that Paul is saying that he is made "stronger" or "better" in "everything" through Jesus Christ. This would include the adversity of neglect (from Phillipi) whereby he needed to be self-sufficient to continue the work of Christ.

More: Everything and all things: But wait, there's more

More: Philippians 4:12-23 Potentially doing all things

Like Henry Kissinger getting two sides to agree that they disagree, Paul points out similarities that are important and then differences that are important. Paul does this in Athens.

Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [kjv]

More: Ignorance of agnostic lack of belief

Acts 17:23

All

KJV: For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Greek: διερχομενος γαρ και αναθεωρων τα σεβασματα υμων ευρον και βωμον εν ω επεγεγραπτο αγνωστω θεω ον ο ουν αγνοουντες ευσεβειτε τουτον τουτο εγω καταγγελλω υμιν

The English word "irony" comes, through French, from the Latin word "ironia" ≈ "irony" which comes from the ancient Greek word "εἰρωνεία" ≈ "feigned ignorance" as in a way to deceive.

The ancient Greek word "εἴρων" ≈ "one who feigns ignorance".

The English word "irony" thus has a different meaning than in ancient times.

In Greek philosophy, this was sometimes considered a vice and not a virtue since it could be used to deceive as in the English word "hustle" as to "take advantage of" through feigning "inexperience", etc.

An interesting point here is that although many Greek philosophy words and terms are used in the Bible, the word for "irony" as in "feigned ignorance" as one way to "deceive" is not in the Bible. Nor does that concept appear very often if at all. ... more to be added ...