New Testament Exegesis

Text: Philippians 4:11

Introduction
The letter of Paul to the Philippian church is known to be a joyful thank
you letter. In this personal letter, Paul thanks the Philippians for their generous
support, gives them a personal update, and exhorts them to greater unity and joy
in Christ (Hays and Duvall 2016, 128).
This presentation will discuss the following contents: Genre, Historical
Context, Literary context, Structure, Translations, Grammatical Analysis,
Application, and Conclusion. The chosen text Philippians 4:11 is taken from a
pericope Philippians 4:10-13.

Genre: Personal Testimony: Paul

Historical Context

Literary Context

Structure

Translations
V:11 οὐχ ὅτι καθ’ ὑστέρησιν λέγω, ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι·
(SBL Greek New Testament, SBLGNT)
V:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am, therewith to be content. (King James Version, KJV)
V:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. (New International Version, NIV)
T: 11 Au sa sega ni vosa niu sa dravudravua: niu sa vakatavulici, meu vakacegu
tiko, e na ka kecega sa yaco vei au. (The Holy Bible in Fijian)

The Greek New Testament Transliteration

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Ouch oti kath usteresin lego, ego gar emathon en ois eimi autarkes einai

Grammatical Analysis
A. Λέγω (lego)– meaning: I say, speak, I mean, I mention, tell (Robinson and
House 2012, 220)
Fijian translation: vosa.

Parts of speech: verb, present tense, active, indicative, 1 person, singular

(Robinson and House 2012, 220)
Verb: action words.
Present tense: represents continuous action.
Active voice: subject is Paul who is performing the action of lego.
Indicative mood (mood of reality): the state of being lego as actually
occurred.
1 person: Paul the apostle.
Singular: single word of Paul.

Λέγω (lego) – summary of Analysis

Lego in this context indicates Paul’s silence. The silence that closes all
opportunity for the Philippian believers to help him when in need. He
remains silent. This state of silence is continuous to assist those in need to
learn what God wills and this can be read about Paul’s personal faith
struggles. Paul however bears the marks of being in great need but he simply
chose to remain silent. In his journey, Paul learns what God intends.

B. ἔμαθον (emathon) – meaning: I learn, I learn to be so and so (Robinson and

House 2012, 227)
Fijian translation: vakatavulici.
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 Parts of speech: verb, aorist, active, indicative, 1 person, singular (Robinson
and House 2012, 117).
Verb: action words.
Aorist: undefined action.
Active voice: subject is Paul who is learning.
Indicative mood (mood of reality): the state of being learned as actually
occurred.
1 person: Paul the apostle.
Singular: Paul alone is learning.

ἔμαθον (emathon) – summary of analysis

Paul learns from his silence towards great need. This state of learning is
undefined since Paul’s life is being secretly trialed or tested. As an apostle, Paul
is humbled in order to learn. Because of his silence he is able to learn alone of
what God intends for his calling.

C. αὐτάρκης (autarkes) – meaning: self-sufficient, independent (Robinson and

House 2012, 55)
Fijian Translation: vakacegu.
Parts of speech: adjective, nominative, singular, masculine.
Adjective – it talks about Paul’s self-sufficient.
Nominative – Paul is the subject of content.
Singular – Paul keeps his problem as his own. Not letting others (Philippian
believers) to carry it with him.
Masculine – Paul strongly stands upon his principle of learning to be in
content while in suffering.
αὐτάρκης (autarkes) – summary of analysis
In his suffering, Paul is content. He never let his problem be solved by other
people, however, he walks through it alone. Paul strongly believes that in
suffering he is content when availing himself towards learning.

D. εἶναι (einai) – meaning: I am exist, happen (Robinson and House 2012, 102).
Fijian translation: tiko

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 Parts of speech: verb, present tense, infinity (2012, 102)
Verb: action words.
Present tense: continuous action.
Infinity: to exist as a result of an action.

εἶναι (einai) – summary of analysis

The continuous presence of Paul after much trials and suffering is unbelievable.
Even in greater suffering, Paul continue to fulfill his calling as an apostle to the
gentile. His faith stature grows out from persecution.

Applications

Conclusion
As Christians, we must aware of God’s faithfulness. In good times and
bad times Christ is always there to meet our needs and create in us a life of self-
sufficiency. We learn great things about God and his nature when we adhere to
his purpose in our life.
Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.”

Bibliography
Hays, J. Daniel., J. Scott, Duvall. 2016. The Baker Illustrated Guide to the
Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.
Robinson, Maurice. A., Mark, A. House. 2012. Analytical Lexicon of the New
Testament Greek. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers.