Philippians 4:13

What Paul is really saying.

Philippians 4:13 ESV - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

In context it is plain what Paul means by this simple statement. He means that he can be content in plenty or hunger, abundance or need. He finds his contentment in Christ. And the temporary circumstances of this life do nothing to change the unchanging Christ. Pretty simple, right?

So here’s what the verse does not mean. It does not empower me to do what I want. It does not mean I am invincible. It does not make Jesus my good luck charm. It is not a promise from Jesus to help me achieve my dreams.

But it does mean that Jesus is working in my life, that every circumstance I find myself in is providential, that even the bad things are good for me in the long run. It means that God is using me for his redemptive purposes. He’s first of all sanctifying me as a part of his great work of redemption. He’s also using me in his redemptive work in others. Whatever he asks me to do in his service, I can do because Jesus equips me for my calling. Jesus teaches me contentment.

When my life revolves around me or my dreams or goals then I’m never content, for contentment is not found in things or goals or anything anchored in self. Contentment is found in Christ. When I have Christ, the rest is just details. Paul can do all things through Christ because he is content with Christ. For Paul, to live is Christ.

It also means that Jesus is our strength. Look at the verse again,

(13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

It’s not our strength which gets us through. It is the strength of Christ on which we must depend. This is the strength that comes through faith in Jesus. Could Paul endure all those things we read about on Wednesday, all those hardships, and remain faithful? If he lacked faith in Christ he would have been saying, “Well, this is not what I signed up for. I thought everything was going to be better than this when I started serving Jesus! That’s what the TV preacher said!” The strength of Christian living comes from faith in Christ, believing that he will see us through any and every circumstance, good or bad.

Last of all, Philippians 4:13 means that Jesus is our sufficiency. He’s enough. If we have Christ what else do we need?

Now before we close, let’s take a sneak peek at part of our passage for next week, verse 14,

yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Here at the end of the letter Paul has come back to where he began it—fellowship, partnership. When one member of the fellowship suffers, all suffer. They are in this together. And that is the way we are to view each other as members of a church. That is the way we are to view each other in the broader church. We’re all in this together.

How did they share in his trouble? Looking at it as an outsider we would never have expected that help would come to Paul from this quarter, from the Philippians—especially not financial help. Remember, they’re facing opposition themselves, and as we’re going to see more of next week, this is not a wealthy church. But the fellowship of the gospel was more valuable to them than earthly comforts. They could abound, they could be brought low. They had learned contentment. What was most valuable was Christ and his kingdom. I hope you feel the same.