What is Philippians 4:13 talking about?
- Tony Vance
- Feb 10, 2016
- 5 min read
I really get a little upset when people say, “proof texting” when discussing a subject. By this they mean picking and choosing verses to make a point. Now, I do think that it is wrong to find verses that will agree with your preconceived notions or an opinion. Often Christians (even non-believers) will find a verse out of context that makes a point the verse was never meant to make. But, sadly it has got to the point that I am often in debates and the person who doesn’t like my reference and will say, “Don’t proof text me.” I am here to tell you the ‘proof’ is in the ‘text’ and we need to realize this. In other words, taken in its proper context, as the writer intended (as best as we can determine), and used in the context that applies we can “proof-text.”
There are many verses I see lambasted as ‘life’ verses of Christians, seen as platitudes that are meant to soothe the weak minded and weaker Christian. These ‘coffee cup’ slogans are often taken out of context and meant to be a ‘catch all’ ‘be all’ verse. These often are verses that are taken completely out of context and applied to everyone, or meant to be used by everyone in every circumstance. I understand those who don’t like ‘proof-texting’ like that, it is unbiblical and is of no value. Paul said this, 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
This brings me to a verse often used as a ‘proof text’ to say things Paul didn’t say (by implication the Holy Spirit didn’t inspire him to imply, either). Our verse is, Philippians 4:13 (KJV) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This verse is often used, and thought to mean, we can do ANYTHING…anything we choose to put our mind to, as long as it is “in Christ.” Sadly, the verse that comes to my mind often is, James 4:3 (HCSB) “You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.” If it is about ‘you’ it is probably not of the Lord. To put it bluntly, if it is winning a football game, getting that new sports car, or about getting something in your life that is selfish in nature, well, Christ ain’t gonna give you that!
What is the point of Philippians 4:13, if not what is often thought of to mean? Any scripture must be carefully examined in its setting, the context of what’s being said, and the clear meaning of the words used. Clearly, Paul was writing this to Christians, in a local church-Philippi. Paul was addressing this to the Christians that were reading it, they were clearly the targeted audience, as this letter was addressed to them. The context will be dealt with more thoroughly, in the rest of the article. While we look at the words Paul used (if you know Greek it can be helpful but not necessary, as there are valuable resources on Greek word studies), it is a rather simple sentence. Unlike other Scripture, the words here are not confusing, but we must note the word “things” is where the controversy occurs, what are the “things?”
This is where context becomes important, as we examine this passage, or any, for that matter. What “things” was Paul claiming Christ had enabled him to do? Most scholars, as I do, believe our passage’s thought begins at verse 10, (from the NLT) “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me.” So immediately we see that Paul is speaking to the church’s concern for him, their anguish of not being able to minister to Paul’s needs…HIS NEEDS, which are a significant part of this passage. In Paul’s day communication over the many miles that he served was limited, basically the time it took someone to walk to you, whether a few or many miles. Evidentially the church had discovered Paul’s predicament after the fact, Paul notes, “you didn’t have the chance,” which could be because the situation was over.
The next two verses, 11 and 12, are paramount in understanding 13. Philippians 4:11-12 (HCSB) “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret (of being content)—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” The things, or at least one thing, Paul is referring to seems to be CONTENTMENT! Other ‘things’ he seems to be referring to are “well fed” but also “hungry.” Our ‘name-it-claim-it’ crowd like the “well fed” but are not so keen on the “hungry.” I heard the great preacher Rev. E. V. Hill say many years ago, he was glad his ‘momma’ hadn’t heard the prosperity preachers, as they struggled to survive during the Great Depression in Texas. Rev. Hill’s early life is an example, of doing all things thru Christ- one, being hungry.
So if we take this verse in context, setting, and plain language, Paul is commending us to realize we can ENDURE ALL THINGS in Christ! This passage is a clear teaching on Christian contentment, and our reliance on Christ to endure. Jesus said, Luke 21:19 (KJV) “In your patience possess ye your souls.” This verse is not a passage that teaches we can get all the things we want, or even think we need. It is a passage that brings us to an understanding of our dependence on Jesus to survive in this fallen world. I’ll conclude with the observation of Albert Barnes:
“From the experience which Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could "do all things." He could bear any trial, perform any duty, subdue any evil propensity of his nature, and meet all the temptations incident to any condition of prosperity or adversity. His own experience in the various changes of life had warranted him in arriving at this conclusion; and he now expresses the firm confidence that nothing would be required of him which he would not be able to perform. In Paul, this declaration was not a vain self-reliance, nor was it the mere result of his former experience. He knew well where the strength was to be obtained by which to do all things, and on that arm that was able to uphold him he confidently relied.” (‘Barnes' Notes on the New Testament’, Albert Barnes, Database © 2014 WORDsearch).