One of the most quoted verses in all of the Bible is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” While Philippians 4:13 is one of the most well-known verses in Scripture, in my opinion, it is also one of the most taken out of context. Philippians 4:13 is oftentimes quoted by athletes before sporting events, preachers as a source of general encouragement, or speakers at school graduations. Very rarely does a quotation of Philippians 4:13 include an examination of the context that it is found in. One of the most beloved verses in all of Scripture is not necessarily about being able to perform the impossible; it is about learning to be content in the midst of life’s uncertainties.
One of the reasons that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians was to thank them for the financial support that they provided for him throughout his ministry and while he was in prison. The churches of Macedonia were not rich, but they gave anyway (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). They financially supported Paul as he traveled to preach the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Philippians 4:18). As Paul states, the church at Philippi were partners with him “in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5); no church partnered with him “in giving and receiving” except for the Philippians (Philippians 4:15).
According to Philippians 4:10, the church at Philippi was forced to stop their financial support for Paul, even though they were concerned for him, because they “lacked opportunity.” In Philippians 4:10, Paul is thanking them for reviving their support. As Paul continues into Philippians 4:11-12, although he was very thankful for the support that the church at Philippi sent to him, he states that he did not really need it because he had learned, in whatever state he was in, to be content. He knew what being brought low was like; he also knew what abounding was like. “In any and every circumstance,” Paul had learned the secret of facing “plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Regardless of whether Paul had everything or nothing at all, he learned to be content in every circumstance. How could Paul possibly do that? This is where Philippians 4:13 enters into the conversation: Paul could learn to live a life of contentment, regardless of his circumstances, because it was Jesus who gave him strength.
Oftentimes, today, we are content only when we have everything that we want; when we become uncomfortable in the slightest way, contentment fades away into complaints. This can be especially true during the holiday season. How can we align ourselves with the attitude of the apostle Paul? How can we, regardless of whether we are in abundance or need, live in constant contentment? First, contentment is something that we have to learn to do. A life of contentment is not something that comes quickly or easily; it is something that is learned through hard work, diligence, and experience. Second, we have to trust in the popular, powerful statement of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Jesus provides us the strength that we need to learn to be content; we must learn to rely on Him. Read within its context, Philippians 4:13 is a powerful verse that teaches us to rely on Jesus for the strength that we need to be content, regardless of the circumstances that we find ourselves in.
-Tyler Alverson
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