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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Not that I speak in respect of want." I said, saith he, "now at length," and I rebuked you, not seeking mine own, nor censuring you on this account, as if I were in want: for I sought it not on this account. Whence is this, O Paul, that thou makest no vain boasting? To the Corinthians he saith, "For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge." And in this case he would not have spoken to them so as to be convicted, he would not, had he been making boasts, have spoken thus. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Do you see that it is no easy thing to rejoice in abundance; for this requires practice and effort. "I have learned," he says.
Clement of Alexandria
And again, to him who desires to become a Gnostic, it is written, "But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in purity." For perfection in faith differs, I think, from ordinary faith. And the divine apostle furnishes the rule for the Gnostic in these words, writing as follows: "For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
All sorts of people indeed can suffer poverty, but to "know how to suffer poverty" is a mark of greatness. Likewise, who is there who may not abound? But to "know how to abound" belongs to none but those who are not corrupted by abundance.
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, not that I complain of want, he begins to comment on the favor they did. First, why it is a reason for joy; secondly, he mentions a past favor; thirdly, he commends it (4:18). In regard to the first he does three things: first, he excludes a supposed reason for joy; secondly, he mentions his own constancy of mind (4:11b); thirdly, he approves their kindness (4:14). …
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