Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through a verse taken out of context

The Misunderstanding

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13).

This verse frequently appears on posters, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. It is applied to sports, careers, and various worldly achievements. But is this what Paul meant?

Who Was Paul Addressing?

Paul in fact was not addressing the Philippian audience at all in 4:13. To address the Philippians in this epistle, Paul used the word "you" (plural in the Greek). "Grace to you" (Phil 1:2). "My every remembrance of you" (Phil 1:3). "I have you in my heart" (Phil 1:7). And so on. In 4:13, Paul used the first-person singular of the verb for "I can."

At the risk of sounding obvious, "I" is not "you."

Paul was not saying the Philippians could do all things ... nor was he saying Christians in general could do all things. The "I can" limits the meaning to Paul speaking only of himself.

The Message of Philippians

The meaning of Philippians 4:13 is governed by the overall message of the letter. Paul wrote to the Philippians so that they would continue supporting his ministry. The Philippian church had consistently participated in Paul’s gospel ministry for some time (1:5; 4:3, 15). Yet, the church faced a divisive situation whereby intimidating opponents of Paul (1:28) threatened the church’s relationship with him and their ongoing support of his ministry.

These opponents seem to match the description of the Jewish Christians (Pharisees) in Acts 15 who had argued for the necessity of circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1-5). In this epistle, Paul’s opponents were certainly Jewish (2:15; 3:4-6). They were apparently Christian as well, for they preached the gospel, despite selfish ambition serving as their motivation for doing so (1:17). Just as keeping the Law was a means for Israel’s physical blessing in the Old Testament, these believing Jewish antagonists perceived preaching the gospel as the means to physical blessing in the New Testament era. For them, preaching the gospel and keeping the Law would result in earthly benefits (1:17; 3:19).

By contrast, Paul’s gospel did not include keeping the Law (3:9) and did not seek earthly blessing in the present age. He instead looked to resurrection and reward in the next (3:11-14, 21). Hence the rivalry between Paul and his theology against his opponents with theirs. With the opponents’ focus on earthly blessing (1:17; 3:19), they probably pointed the Philippians to Paul’s imprisonment and suffering, and Epaphroditus’ nearly terminal illness (for helping Paul) as curses indicating these men were working against God.

The opponents argued that they—the physically blessed ones—promoted the proper theology (Lawkeeping), and so the Philippians should keep the Law and stop supporting Paul’s ministry. This issue apparently caused divisions in the Philippian church, including two particular women (4:2).

For Paul, the gospel-worthy life included love, mutual concern, and a focus on future reward even at the cost of present suffering. For his opponents, a worthy life meant keeping the Law and being blessed in this life. If the Philippians adopted the “gospel” of Paul’s opponents, they would not be walking worthily of Christ’s gospel. Paul therefore implored the Philippians to unite with one mind around the gospel that he preached so that their lives would be worthy of Christ (1:27).

The True Meaning of Philippians 4:13

The popular (mis)understanding and misapplication of 4:13 has nothing to do with the context of Philippians as a whole. Nowhere in Paul's letter is there a message of "You, the Philippian / Christian, can do anything you set your heart to do. And Christ will give you strength for it." Such a notion is foreign to the message of Philippians, and no other verse in the letter supports it.

Paul argued that the gospel-worthy life included love, a humble concern for others, and a focus on future reward even at the cost of present suffering. Paul knew the secret to contentedness in all circumstances (4:11-12). The secret referred to back to his hope of future glory in the resurrection (3:11-14, 20-21). By this hope of resurrection, Christ strengthened him (4:13) in all circumstances (4:12). In light of the resurrection, then, he did not need their money. Nevertheless, they would do well to participate with him in his suffering (4:14) because it would contribute to their living a gospel-worthy life (1:27).

Can the Modern Christian Validly Apply Philippians 4:13?

Paul's secret to contentedness in all circumstances (including suffering, imprisonment, and lack) was looking ahead to the resurrection. Philippians 4:13 is not so much a promise as an ideal to aspire to. A valid response to this verse for Christians today is to follow the example of the Apostle Paul. Know that the hope of Christians lies not in this life, but in the resurrection. Studying eschatology would help the Christian respond to this verse. Knowing the glorious future awaiting Christians in the resurrection will help us to be content in even the most difficult of circumstances.

Teachings

Seeking God's truth via the authorial intent of the biblical text.

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