Chapter 1: The Text and the Lesson of Contentment

Philippians 4:11 I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

These words are brought in by way of Prolepsis, to anticipate and prevent an objection. The Apostle had in the former verses, laid down many grave and heavenly exhortations; among the rest, to be careful for nothing, verse 6. Not to exclude, 1. A prudential care. For he that provides not for his own house, has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Nor, 2. A religious care. For, we must give all diligence to make our calling and election sure. But 3. To exclude all anxious care about the issues and events of things; Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat: and in this sense it should be a Christian's care not to be careful. The word in the Greek [careful] comes from a primitive, that signifies, To cut the heart in pieces, a soul-dividing care: take heed of this. We are bid to commit our way to the Lord: the Hebrew word is, Roll your way upon the Lord. It is our work to cast care, and it is God's work to take care. By our immoderation we take his work out of his hand.

Care, when it is eccentric, either distrustful, or distracting, is very dishonorable to God; it takes away his providence, as if he sat in heaven, and minded not what became of things here below; like a man that makes a clock, and then leaves it to go of itself. Immoderate care takes the heart off from better things; and usually while we are thinking how we shall do to live, we forget how to die. Curis tabescimus omnes. — Care is a spiritual canker, that does waste and dispirit; and cui bono? We may sooner by our care add a furlong to our grief, than a cubit to our comfort. God does threaten it as a curse; They shall eat their bread with carefulness: better fast, than eat of that bread. Be careful for nothing.

Now lest any one should say, I, Paul, you preach that to us, which you have scarce learned yourself; Have you learned not to be careful? The Apostle seems tacitly to answer that in the words of the text; I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

Egregia Sententia! A speech worthy to be engraved upon our hearts, and to be written in letters of gold upon the crowns and diadems of princes. The text does branch itself into these two general parts.

1. The Scholar, Paul: I have learned.

2. The Lesson: In every state to be content.