I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Perhaps you’ve seen this verse on a mug, t-shirt, tattoo, bag and many other places besides the Bible as a means to encourage those who see it. It most likely would be included in the Top 20 encouraging verses for Christians. But what does this verse really mean? Is it the Christian version of the slogan that tells you to just go along and do it because Christ will give you what you need? Or is there more to consider of this revered verse that is often highlighted and isolated from other verses that co-exist with it in the same passage?
What does this verse mean?
Here are two other versions of the same verse:
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (ESV)
Personally, I am still grasping the fuller message of this verse as I seek to understand what Paul, the author of Philippians, was trying to convey to his audience. The message is shifting from a grandiose declaration that one can do anything they set their mind on with the help of Christ, to a proclamation that one can face all things that comes their way with the help of Christ. Two very different messages.
Context matters
Context matters in the Bible. To pull a verse apart from the body of Scripture it resides in, can cause distortion of the intended message. Looking at Philippians 4:13 as a standalone verse makes it sound like an anthem for one to be able to do whatever they want because Jesus is backing them as a Christian. It is the thought that Christ will equip His followers to fulfill any plan, goal, idea, etc. they have come up with. But is this what Paul meant in Philippians 4:13 when he said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Was Paul referring to being able to do whatever he wanted with Christ’s help?
Going back to the verses prior to verse 13 as well as those that follow, gives clarity to what Paul was referring to.
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Philippians 4:10-14 NIV)
There is no mention of any plan, goal or idea needing Christ’s power to make it happen. It’s Paul relaying to his readers about the various seasons God allowed him to experience and how each one, whether challenging or enjoyable, he was able to make it through with the help of Christ.
Make it through with His help
The help of Christ is there for every season God allows for us to experience; whether they are challenging or enjoyable. We can face every season. We can make it. We can do what needs to be done. We can fulfill the callings He has given each of us. We can finish the work He has assigned us. We can do this when we have all we need and even when it seems we have none of what we think we need.
It’s been quite a week of feeling like I didn’t have what I needed. I had a tired mind, a weary body, insufficient time and inadequate resources. But as I reflect on this past week, I can say that I was able to do all things. Not my plans, ideas, or goals but every challenging as well as enjoyable moment that God brought my way this week. Not in my own strength. I was able to do all these things through Christ who strengthened me. You can too.
