I would like to briefly consider one of the most well-known and oft-quoted verses in the New Testament. In fact, it is one of the most popular verses in American evangelical culture today.
It has been printed on posters and inspirational wall art. A quick internet search reveals that you can buy key chains, rings, buttons, t-shirts, stickers, postcards, bracelets, handbags, and other Christianized trinkets with the words of this verse emblazoned, embroidered, or embossed upon them. This verse even gained some notoriety among college football fans a couple years ago when a championship quarterback sported the verse on the glare-reducing strips he wore under his eyes.
But the irony is that, by taking this verse out of context, many people have actually turned it on its head—making it mean the opposite of what it actually means. They have turned it into a slogan of personal empowerment—a declaration of self-achievement, ambition, and accomplishment. For many, this verse has been trivialized into some sort of motivating motto for material prosperity, career advancement, or athletic success.
But in reality it is nothing of the sort.
It is a verse about contentment. It’s not about your dreams coming true or your goals being met.
By now, you may have guessed that the verse I am describing is Philippians 4:13. There, the Apostle Paul writes, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
If we read Philippians 4:13 in isolation, apart from its context, it’s possible to see why so many take it as a declaration of personal empowerment.
Out of context, the “all things” seems like it could refer to whatever someone might want to accomplish—from winning a football game to losing weight to getting a new job to gaining material wealth. Out of context, it is often treated like a spiritual boost of self-confidence that can be applied to any ambition or aspiration in life.
But in context this verse has a very specific, defined meaning—one that most Americans don’t want to hear about, but one that is very important for us to remember as believers.
Out of context, Philippians 4:13 is used as a blank-check promise for whatever is desired. But in context, it is a verse about contentment. It’s not about your dreams coming true or your goals being met. Rather it’s about being joyful, satisfied, and steadfast even when life is hard and your circumstances seem impossible.
You see, this verse is not about winning the football game; it’s about how you respond when you lose the football game, or get injured for the season, or fail to make the team altogether. It’s not about getting that new job, that new house, or that new outfit; it’s about finding your satisfaction in the job you already have, in the house you already own, and in the wardrobe already hanging in your closet.
This is not a verse about being empowered to change your circumstances; rather, it is a verse about relying on God’s power in order to be content in the midst of circumstances you can’t change.
Consider, for just a moment, the context of Philippians 4:13. Writing to the believers in Philippi, Paul says:
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
You can see there, that when the apostle says, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, he is speaking about contentment. In any circumstance, he had learned to be content by depending on Christ who gave him the strength to persevere in any situation.
And that is a perspective that we are called to emulate. In fact, immediately before the verses cited above, Paul writes in verse 9:
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
He tells his readers to follow his example, and then he immediately talks about contentment. Clearly, the attitude that Paul possessed is one that should characterize us as well.
You deserve high marks for passion and zeal. Never in a million years would we say anything to put a damper on that kind of ambition and self-confidence. On the contrary, we want to encourage you to forge ahead with your plans. But do it prayerfully and humbly. Remember the words of Ecclesiastes – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) – and the apostle Paul – “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). The Lord honors those who commit their works to Him and who strive for excellence in everything they do (Proverbs 16:3; 22:29).
That said, it’s important that we add a word of clarification. When God promises to bless you for your faithfulness and dedication, He isn’t necessarily guaranteeing you success in everything you choose to undertake. Philippians 4:13 does not say that you can do anything you want to do. For example, it would be a mistake to assume that you can make a million dollars, write a best-selling novel, get elected President of the United States, win the Heisman Trophy, or become a Grammy Award-winning musician simply because you believe in Christ and are willing to follow your dreams with all your heart. If you examine this verse in context, you’ll see that it was actually written to address an entirely different issue. Let’s take a closer look.
Beginning in verse 10, Paul writes:
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13)
Then, a few sentences later, in verses 17 and 18, he adds:
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound …
What is the apostle doing in this passage? He’s commending the Philippians on their past generosity and encouraging them to continue giving freely in the future. But that’s not all. Within the context of this discussion of giving and receiving, he also does something remarkable: he redefines for Christians the meaning of words like need and abundance.
In effect, Paul says that the believer’s experience of either want or satisfaction is ultimately an internal rather than an external reality. It has less to do with one’s material circumstances than with a certain mental and spiritual attitude. The secret, he explains in verse 11, is contentment (Greek autarkes/ autarkeia). In the original language, this word indicates something like “self-sufficiency” or “independence.” It’s the ability to “make do” in all kinds of situations. When we have Christ, says Paul, we have everything. That being true, it doesn’t really matter if we’re rich or poor, successful or defeated, starving or full, naked or clothed, homeless or sheltered.
This is the revolutionary perspective that stands behind the apostle’s assertion in verse 13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He is not saying that Christians will never go hungry or suffer want. Nor is he claiming that God will protect the believer from every danger. Paul had personally experienced all these hardships many times, serving the Lord “in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness, often in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (II Corinthians 11:27). What he is asserting is that, if you belong to Christ, God will enable you to bear the burden whatever your situation in life may be. Perhaps you can see that this is something very different from a guarantee of limitless wealth and success.
If you have further questions or concerns, call us. Focus on the Family has a staff of pastoral counselors who would love to speak with you over the phone.
Resources
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A Life That Matters: Making the Greatest Possible Difference With the Rest of Your Life
The Purpose Driven Life
Don’t Waste Your Life