I believe the just-concluded series on faith came at the right time, because unless we deeply understand what faith truly is, we cannot rightly apply Philippians 4:13. To look at something far beyond your capacity and say you can do it through Christ is faith at work.
This is one of the most widely quoted verses in the Bible, but ironically, one of the most misunderstood. The build-up to this famous verse is often ignored.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11–13 NIV
The key theme here is contentment, not capability, not ambition, but contentment. Most times when we quote this scripture, we do so with the intention of speaking to our ability, and this is not entirely wrong. However, the context reveals that Paul was teaching contentment. It is a verse that speaks to being satisfied with God’s will for our lives at every point in time.
Paul explains that he has learned to abound and also abase…and through Christ, he can do it all. We often emphasize abounding, but no one talks about abasing. This is part of the problem in today’s Christianity. The new-age approach to evangelism highlights abounding—prosperity, elevation, riches, open doors, plenty—without mentioning that sometimes, God calls us to abase. As a result, when believers face hardship, they are shaken, and many even call it quits.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with sharing the good things to draw an unbeliever in. We just need to be careful in order not to raise believers who think Christianity is all sunshine and roses, with no storms and no thorns.
One may ask, if I am not even assured that my bad days will disappear when I come to Christ, what’s the point? The answer is in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Paul prayed repeatedly for a certain discomfort to be taken away, yet God responded differently than he expected. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Life in Christ does not promise the disappearance of every bad day, but it promises the sufficient grace of God and the strength to pull through despite your weakness. So, next time you find yourself in a difficult or overwhelming situation, recall this scripture: you can endure it and pull through, through Christ who strengthens you.
I remember the story of the rich man in the Bible who was excited to follow Jesus, but quickly lost that excitement when Jesus told him to sell his possessions. The thought of losing his wealth was overwhelming, and he turned back (Matt. 19:16-22). Yet this is precisely the kind of moment Philippians 4:13 speaks to.
If we are being honest, building wealth and then being told to give it all up is a deeply difficult task. It takes the grace of God. It takes the power of Christ Himself to make such a decision. This is what we learn in this scripture.
The idea of “doing all things” means this: if God requires you to be the wealthiest person in the room, you submit humbly to His will, and if He requires you to walk through a season of lack or humility, you obey just the same, all through Christ who strengthens you.
In fact, Paul was going through hardship when he wrote the Book of Philippians. He was imprisoned in Rome. So the real application of “I can do all things through Christ” is seen in how he rejoiced in salvation and endured persecution, because Jesus Himself gave him strength. Who else can strengthen us to enjoy or endure God’s will but the One who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross? (Heb. 12:2)
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
Philippians 4:13 teaches us that satisfaction with God’s plan and contentment with His purpose is through Christ, our strength. And this is a promise we can hold onto; whatever God asks of us, He supplies the strength to walk it out.
“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.“
Isaiah 40:29 BSB
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