What does Philippians 4:12 mean?

Paul continues his discussion on the theme of contentment begun in verse 11. He specifically mentions the range of his ministry experiences, including plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Paul did not speak from theory in this area, but from personal hardships. He had endured much in his service to Christ, including five floggings, three beatings, a stoning, three shipwrecks, and more (2 Corinthians 11:24–29).

His comments here are meant to include all of these situations, as well as many others. Under house arrest while writing this letter, he claims to have found the "secret" to enduring these struggles. As mentioned previously, this is a deliberate choice to be content, in the power of Christ. Paul had gone without food at times, and had been given plenty of food at other times. He had lived with much and with little. He had experienced hunger and thirst, was without friends, and more, noted in a letter written long before Philippians (2 Corinthians 11:27–28).