PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS | PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3176

PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

In Philippians 4:13 the apostle Paul writes, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

What does it mean? 

It does NOT mean: 

1. That we can do anything and everything we set our minds to do.

2. That Christians will have superpowers or that they will be invincible or immune to life’s challenges.

Instead, the promise of Philippians 4:13 is that we will have strength from the Lord to faithfully endure the difficulties that arise in life.

The focus in Philippians 4 is what the believer can do through the strength that Christ gives. 

The context of this verse focuses on the God-given power to endure any circumstance. Verse 12 notes, “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.” Paul had faced times of abundance, yet he had also faced many trials for his faith.

The secret, he explains in verse 11, is contentment

(Greek: Autarkes). 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. 

Abba Father, “a text without a context is just a pretext for what we want it to  mean". Help us to discern the truth behind Philippians 1:14 by studying the context in which this famous line is found. What Paul is asserting is that, if you belong to Christ, God will enable you to bear the burden whatever your situation in life may be. Help us to see that this is something very different from a guarantee of limitless wealth and success in whatever we do.

Paul concludes this passage with these words: “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (verses 19–20).