It's a famous verse; it's a misinterpreted verse; it's a misused verse; it's a powerful verse—when understood correctly! Anyone even remotely acquainted with Christianity has heard Philippians 4:13 at some point or another. The question is, have you heard it in context? Have you read it and pondered upon what being strengthened by Christ actually means? If you're like most people, the familiarity of the verse has influenced you to simply take it at face value, without really thinking through its implications.
Consider the last time you saw this verse displayed on a t-shirt, ad, or banner. What was the context? Was it at a competitive game such as football? A social project, such as a humanitarian cause? A personal goal of scaling a mountain? The use of this verse is, many times, superfluous, and in very few of those instances is this verse correctly applied—some of its uses even teach a dangerous idea.
When this verse is misapplied, people can mistakenly assume that God is giving them the strength to accomplish something that He might not even approve of (such as the strength to build a building that will be used for illegal activities and unjust gains). Some may wonder, as a result of misapplying the verse, why God allowed them to lose a game, or fail a test, or be unable to save someone from danger. Doesn't God promise to "give us the strength" to accomplish all these things in Jesus' name, especially if it's something we're "doing for Him"? He may in other parts of the Bible, but not in this verse!
Let's take a brief look at Philippians...
The Broad Context
Paul wrote Philippians while incarcerated in Rome; to say the least, he probably wasn't having such a pleasant time, as we tend to think of it. Philippians is a letter to read when going through anxiety and suffering for the sake of Christ—the words "joy" and "rejoice" appear many times throughout, despite Paul's circumstances. Chapter one focuses on rejoicing even in suffering; chapter two on Christ's humbling of Himself by taking on a human nature, and on Christians being humble in service to one another; and chapter three focuses on faith and on the surpassing privilege of knowing Christ.
The Immediate Context
In chapter 4, where our verse is found, Paul starts out by entreating two women in the church to get along (v. 2), and then exhorts the congregation to not be anxious, but to pray, and to trust in the Lord for His peace (v. 4-7). Paul also encourages the people to think about good things, and to follow his example, which will result in God's peace (v. 8-9).
Our verse is found at the end of a paragraph starting in verse 10. Paul acknowledges the Philippians' concern for his well being, and that he knew they were willing to help, but were not always able to. He then continues to tell them of how, presumably, even when the aid was scarce, he knew how to be content in whatever circumstances he would find himself.
In fact, Paul knew how to be "self-sufficient," which is another definition of the Greek word translated as "content"—although his ultimate provider was God. Paul knew how to live content when he was "brought low" or "humbled" in means, as well as when he was prospered. He was intimately acquainted with having plenty, and with being hungry; with having more than enough, and with not having enough.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ
It is in this context that Paul says his famous words in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." What Paul is saying is that even if he didn't have food or a roof over his head, or was chained and imprisoned, or was beaten and tortured...he received his strength from Christ. Paul knew how to be content, how to be satisfied, how to be in a state of peaceful joy despite his circumstances.
Paul believed and knew that his strength and contentment was from the Lord, and that he would be able to endure anything that sinful man brought his way—especially for the cause of proclaiming the Gospel. Therefore, the strength Paul speaks of here is the strength to endure the difficult times in life...especially as a result of following and proclaiming Christ."
Paul was indeed famished, beaten, tortured, chained, persecuted, and eventually killed for his faith in Christ. But Paul was resilient and faithful up to the end, drawing from Christ's strength to undergo his trials. For verses about suffering for Christ, click here.
Now, this is not to say that God does not give us strength for each day (for He does), or that it is wrong to believe and assure others–or yourself–that He is for us and with us during trials (for He most certainly is). What we aim to point out is that this particular verse should best be used in situations where a follower of Christ is going through many trials, and possibly suffering for His sake and for the spread of the Gospel. We do not want to be too restrictive as to its interpretation, but cautious as to its application.
Reflection
This verse has probably been more real to those experiencing truly suffering for Christ than to most of us living in the states. Missionaries around the world are holding on to this verse every day as many of us sit in our air-conditioned churches without persecution. Muslim converts to Christianity are holding on to this verse for the strength to bear another day of being rejected by their families and tortured for their new faith, all while many of us only hear or read of these things from the comforts of our homes.
Let us all do God, Paul, ourselves, and those suffering for Christ a favor by not diminishing the power of this verse. We can do this by refusing to misapply Philippians 4:13 to support trivial aspirations and misguided notions that God is in the business of having us accomplish our agendas instead of His agenda. Let us pray for those who are truly hanging on to this verse with all of their hearts while their lives are hanging by a thread.
May God bless you and give you His strength.
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