Philippians 4:13 is one the greatest promises of Scripture…and one of the most misunderstood, therefore misapplied, therefore disappointing IF ripped from the true Biblical context.
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
- Grammatical Usage: “all things” or in the Greek, “pas” meaning, “all parts of a totality”; “strengthens” or “endunamoó” meaning, “fill with power.”
- Literal Interpretation: I am ready for anything through the power of the one who lives within me.
- Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God continually uses His Word.
- The Example of Paul’s Circumstances in Life
No one in the Bible, apart from Christ, lived a life of gratitude more than Paul the Apostle. How striking considering the terrible trials and sufferings he went through. Here is a list that still falls short of all he suffered per 2 Corinthians 11:23-33: in labors more abundant; in stripes above measure; in prisons more frequently; faced death often; from the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one; three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often; in perils of waters; in perils of robbers; in perils of my own countrymen; in perils of the Gentiles; in perils in the city; in perils in the wilderness; in perils in the sea; in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil; in sleeplessness often; in hunger and thirst; in cold and nakedness; given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him (2 Corinthians 12:7); abandoned by all his friends while imprisoned (2 Timothy 1:15); despaired even of life (2 Corinthians 1:8).
- The Example of Paul’s Victory in Life
The very fact that Paul was such a “giant” makes it all the more wonderful that he didn’t rely upon self, but Christ. The more natural ability a person has the harder it is to learn of victorious Christian living, for the greatest hindrance to a victorious Christian life is any feeling that ‘we’ can live it. If Paul, with all his natural ability, could live a victorious life not in his own strength at all but through Christ, then it is possible for you and for me to do the same.
- The Extent of Paul’s Victory in Life
What is the measure of it? How far is victory possible? Notice that Paul’s answer to these questions is “everything” – “every situation”. That is real victory! No situation can be too trying, too baffling, too perplexing, too disturbing, too troublesome, too wearying, too exacting but that through Christ we may be master of them all (2 Timothy 4:18). Per Philippians 4, consider some “situations” in which every believer may be victorious through Christ:
- V 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always” Most of us rejoice when things are going well, but we become sad and depressed when not; but to live victoriously means to rejoice at all times (Psalm 34:1): e.g., when tested (James 1:2); when persecuted (Acts 5:41); when supplies are short (Habakkuk 3:18). Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Psalm 68:3.
- V 5: “Let your gentleness be evident to all” The meaning here is forbearance towards others. It is very difficult always to be patient, gracious, “gentle and humble” like our Savior (Matthew 11:29). But remember His attitude of forbearance towards others in Philippians 2:5-8.
- V 6: “Do not be anxious about anything” How wonderful to go through life without a care, to meet sickness, losses, setbacks and not to be perturbed by any of these challenges! (Psalm 37:1-11).
- V 6: “In everything, by prayer” Not many of us succeed here. We pray about the “big” things in life, but we often fail to pray about the less important matters. We should pray about all things and live in the atmosphere of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Many failures can be traced to the neglect of prayer.
- Vv 8-9: “Think about such things” What a list, and how these virtues are needed today! We need to take heed to these “marks” of the victorious life, for that is what they are. To live a life of victory means to be true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good. Notice that in 8 we are exhorted to “think” on these things, and in v. 9, to “put it into practice”.
- V 11: “I have learned to be content” In sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, in failure or in success – content!” This is real victory.
- V 22: “Saints in Caesar’s household” Christians in unlikely places, but more than that – Christians in difficult places!
- The Explanation of Paul’s Victory in Life
How was Paul able to say, “I can do everything…be master of every situation”? How can I say it and experience it? The answer: “through him who gives me strength.”
- I cannot live the victorious Christian life apart from Christ. The life of victory is impossible to achieve apart from Him (John 15:5). In fact, the victorious Christian life is not my life at all.
- The Lord Jesus Christ is the Victorious Life. He lived this life in a human body and was “master of every situation”.
- He who has lived this life in one body is able and willing to reproduce this life in any body that is yielded to Him.
- When He becomes my Master, then I become “master of every situation” through Him.
- Conclusion: Who is the master of your life? The answer explains a lot about your life.
