May 2021

Self-reliance. It’s more than the standard of the Old West. It’s an enduring virtue in our society. Steve Jobs tells us to “think different” and not be like others. Movies show us protagonists who vanquish bad guys with their extraordinary (even supernatural) strengths and abilities. They appreciate the help regular folk provide, but they don’t need it. Superheroes can win on their own.

And technology now gives us the ability to manufacture our worlds of social interaction, education, and entertainment according to specifications we choose. To a great extent, we design our own lives. We’re self-reliant.

Last week we saw how the apostle Paul took three values within Greco-Roman culture and applied them to his circumstances. Here’s Philippians 4:10-14 in the NASB:

“¹⁰But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act.”

“¹¹Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances I am.”

“¹²I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

“¹³I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

“¹⁴Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.”

We explored how these believers supported Paul’s ministry as they could when they could. In a sense, they served as his patrons, a role that was common in that day and age.

Yet while Paul complements them, he also seems to hedge his tribute. Verses 10 and 14 are qualified by adversatives. “But” and “nevertheless” soften the compliments Paul expresses.

Why did he mitigate his remarks? 

Because Paul wanted them to know he was self-sufficient.

Autarky/Self-Sufficiency

In verses 11 and 13, Paul promotes the idea of autarky or self-sufficiency. The former is a Greek word which in the New Testament occurs only in verse 11. It combines two other words: the noun “self” (autos) and the verb arkeo (to be strong or content). The verb occurs eight times in the Greek New Testament:

“However, the prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’” – Matthew 25:9

“And soldiers also were questioning him, saying, ‘What are we to do, we as well?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone, nor harass anyone, and be content with your wages.’” – Luke 3:14

Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!’” – John 6:7

“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’” – John 14:8

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

“If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:8

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU.’” – Hebrews 13:5

“For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with malicious words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brothers either, and he forbids those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” – 3 John 10

You can see from the above the verb conveys a sense of contentment, satisfaction, and sufficiency. Adding “self” to the verb as a prefix communicates self-sufficiency. When we exercise autarky, we’re secure within ourselves. We’re content with what we have and we’re satisfied with our plans, labors, and results.

If I stop here, I’d have to conclude that Paul viewed his ministry, and even his walk with Christ, in light of his own efforts. It sounds like Paul is laying quite a burden on our shoulders! If we want to be like him, we have to achieve total self-confidence. I’m not there!

But neither is Paul! Verse 13 communicates the same idea as verse 11 does, but from a different perspective. In verse 11, the apostle is describing the fruit of his spiritual training. In verse 13, he discloses the source of his strength.

Some Bible versions state that Christ is the source of Paul’s strength. Most modern translations opt for a vaguer phrase based on the Greek participle: “the One strengthening me.” It’s not wrong to suppose Paul had Jesus in mind when he was reflecting on the wellspring of his spiritual effectiveness.

This verb occurs seven times in the Greek New Testament. Paul wrote all the verses above except for the first one, which Luke wrote about him! So strengthening must have been an important issue for the apostle. Here are the other verses:

“But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” – Acts 9:22

“Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.” – Romans 4:20

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” – Ephesians 6:10

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” – 1 Timothy 1:12

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:1

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.” – 2 Timothy 4:17

Application

In Christian life and ministry, contentment or sufficiency are one side of the coin. The other side is power, the ability to stay the course, endure, and succeed. Paul ascribes all this to the grace of God.

 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10

God visits us with His grace in a way much more significant than lending us a hand. He offers us the life of His Son. When we give Him our lives, He gives us the life of Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Christ is the self God sees in us. He’s our new identity. So for the Christian, self-sufficiency means relying on Jesus who never fails us. Praise God!