A Closer Look at Philippians 4:13
Discover the true meaning of Philippians 4:13 and its significance beyond motivational posters. This verse is not about achieving personal desires but fulfilling God's calling. Learn how Christ sustains us and offers a life-giving perspective that transcends earthly victories.
-
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[a] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
What is the Context of Philippians 4?
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Growing up, I had a poster in my bedroom of an NBA player going over a defender for a layup. At the bottom of the poster, it read Philippians 4:13. Like many of you, I’ve seen that verse plastered on posters and social media of individuals playing sports, lifting weights, or pushing their human capacities to one degree or another.
Is the meaning of this verse that Christ will give you the strength to achieve whatever you set your mind to? Or is there something far more meaningful and life-giving that God seeks to illustrate through the Apostle Paul?
Paul had three watermarks in his life:
His conversion
His visit to Third Heaven, where he stood in the presence of Jesus. This influenced his lens of a dimension that we’ve yet to experience.
He knew the strength in persecution that comes from Christ.
The Apostle Paul was beaten numerous times, shipwrecked, and imprisoned by Roman soldiers. Very few, if any of us, can truly relate to the words we’re reading in Philippians.
In Western culture, we’ve been able to follow Jesus without much pushback or suffering. Yet, if you’ve ever been ridiculed or threatened for your Christian convictions, please, consider it one of the best things to ever happen to you. It seems odd to say, right?
However, those times of ridicule or persecution were undoubtedly periods of a deepened dependence on Christ that made for a greater revelation of the Source of Jesus Himself. It was a time of greater revelation, understanding, and presence than you’ve ever known. It may be when God deposits into your life a grace that is so powerful it will develop you so that you are no longer the same.
Avoiding a Lukewarm Faith
The statistical data point reveals that cultural Christianity is on a severe downward slope in North America. However, the trend line for convictional Christianity has remained consistent and even runs upward in the future.
In Scripture, Jesus referred to cultural Christianity as a lukewarm faith, and in Revelation 3, we see that Jesus doesn’t have nice things to say about that. So, I submit that if you’re in persecution, that’s not necessarily bad.
Let’s be mindful that when Paul is experiencing this revelation, he writes about it in Philippians. He is not writing these words while lying on a beach and enjoying a refreshing beverage. Instead, these words come from a Roman prison cell, which was nothing like a modern North American prison (in most situations). It was dark, rat-infested, stank, wet, cold, and hard. Its primary purpose was to hold persons who were condemned to die. If you were in a Roman prison cell, an execution was in your future.
Paul is writing this letter where death was likely his endpoint. Emperor Nero was fiercely hostile towards Christians, and Paul cites in Philippians 1:20 that “Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Discovering the Source of Contentment
Given Paul’s predicament, would it be okay if he complained? I think we can all agree he’d get a pass. However, that’s not what we see.
“. . . I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:11b-12
Paul is not writing about a contentment that we equate to complacency. Instead, he is writing about a sanctified ambition to make Christ known. Given our context, we can define “content” as a desire for what is at hand. But even in his circumstance, he’s discovered the secret to contentment in every situation.
In the text preceding our focused verse, he recounts the different circumstances he’s endured. This is important because we don’t need to consider him a superhero. He’s human, just like us; however, we need to see this as much more than a personal motivation mantra.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV, emphasis added)
The NIV translates the verse to do all “this.” Scholars recognize that Paul isn’t talking about all things. This isn’t some blank check for mental and physical fortitude from Jesus. This isn’t about all the wonderful things you have achieved or all the power you muster to throw some Jesus on it. It doesn’t let us say, “Yeah, Jesus blessed me because I can do everything because He gave me strength.”
Yes, this is a verse of encouragement, but let’s focus on the context. It’s assurance that we can do whatever God has called us to, not whatever we decide to do.
Instead of grumbling, Paul says I’m content because of my love for Jesus and His Church. He’s instructing the Church not to be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.
What did this man have? That’s all we need.
On Chasing Happiness
E. Stanley Jones said, “Spiritual power comes out of inward fellowship with God and abandonment to his purposes.” In Keep a Quiet Heart, Elisabeth Elliot said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”
Paul's contentment didn't come through inner determination, willpower, or positive thinking. His determination came from the source. It was a greater power in him than any challenge outside of him, and the source was Christ in him.
So often, in our fallen humanity, we view our circumstances as our happiness. In this state, we are in a constant pursuit of chasing bubbles. We think they will satisfy us, but when we grasp them, they pop. That is the pursuit of satisfaction; it’s unending.
However, in this verse, we see Paul, our brother in Christ, knows the source.
In the New Testament, the word Christian is only found three times. However, believers are described as being in Christ, which is referenced more than 100 times. I think that’s worth noting.
Paul’s secret was that his life was in Christ. Under that, he had the source of Christ’s resources, grace, and experiences. When our lives are in Christ, the experience of Jesus is in us, and we’re in HIm. That makes all the difference.
This is why the Gospel opens the door for contentment like Paul in our lives. It’s counterintuitive that we bow before Him, confess our sins, and cry to Him as our Savior, but something supernatural takes over. You’re brought into the person of Jesus Christ.
This verse is ultimately not about getting something. Instead, it’s about praising what we already have, which is Christ within. Philippians 4:13 is about praising the “secret” source and being alive in Christ.
While we may not win a national championship or write a letter that millions will read over the next 1,000 years, we all have a platform to exalt and glorify God. Whatever station you are serving in your life, whether that’s parenthood, friendship, vocation, etc., you have influence. You have the opportunity to know the source and to bring glory to Him.
What’s actually happening in this verse is Paul breaking out in praise for how Christ sustained Him amidst persecution and imprisonment. As Gabe Lyon illustrated, He sustains you by giving you a life-giving perspective that earthly victories will fade one day, but Christ sustains us.
Paul is suffering for the Gospel because he recognizes that people have the opportunity to come to know the one true sovereign God. It’s an opportunity to be made new from the inside out and to discover His glory.
TL;DR
In Philippians 4:13, the Apostle Paul shares his perspective on strength and contentment in the face of persecution and imprisonment.
He emphasizes that the verse is not about achieving personal goals or using Jesus to empower ourselves but rather about relying on God's strength to fulfill His calling for our lives.
Paul's contentment comes from his love for Jesus and His Church, and he encourages believers to trust in God, pray, and be thankful in all circumstances.
The real meaning of the verse is to acknowledge that our lives are in Christ, and through Him, we have access to His resources, grace, and experiences.
It's a call to exalt and glorify God, recognizing that our true happiness and purpose lie in being alive in Christ and bringing glory to Him.
Related Reading
Restored Into God’s Image by Rev. Paul Lawler
How to Hear God’s Voice & Follow His Will by Rev. Paul Lawler
Qualities of a Convicted Heart by Bro. Chris Carter
