Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Explanation and Commentary of Philippians 4:13. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Most likely, you’ve seen this used on a running shirt (when not healing – still – from a broken foot, I fancy myself a runner), an athletic team’s t-shirt, or on Beth Moore’s most recent Facebook banner. For most, this situation would push them past the point of hope and into despair.
“Be strong, act like a man” (1 Kings 2:2).
Does this verse teach that we are warriors, conquerors, overcomers? So while Paul is in prison he write this letter. Only Christ matters. We are on our way to spend eternity with Christ; we should always be content in any circumstance because that is our eventual outcome (providing we are believers). Most of us have heard or read the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” but we often forget the circumstances in which the Apostle Paul wrote this famous verse. From these versions many Christians claim God’s power for any possible challenge before us.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. “Learned the secret” is phrase that comes from the Greek word myeo, which means “to initiate into the mysteries;” this is not a passive book-learning kind of thing. Philippians 4:13 Meaning and Translation from other Bible Versions from NIV, KJV, ESV, NST, and many more.
In Philippians 4:13, the verb is present tense, meaning, God’s continual, day-by-day infusing me with strength as I serve Him.
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The book of Philippians was written by the apostle Paul, around 62 AD, while he was in prison.
Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. At Atrio Hill we offer Mens Cross Necklace, Christian journals, Christian coffee mugs, Christian T-Shirts , Christian Necklaces, Christian Rings and Christian Jewelry that are imprinted with this exact verse. Sometimes, that is exactly what we need too.
KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Does this verse really say that we can do ANYTHING because we have Christ? Drawing comfort in this truth, we too can endure all things.
The Greek preposition is “in,” not “through.” It points to that vital, personal union with Christ that we have seen repeatedly throughout Philippians. Depending on the severity of your crime, the town in which you were imprisoned, and the mood of the guard, your prison experience could range from a hole in the ground to a cave to home detention.
Are you thirsty?
Paul has been thanking the Philippians for their love for him and the material support they had been led to give to him. He said, “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” (Phil 4:12). Some of us struggle to provide for our basic needs. #2 “…do all this…” Paul is explaining why he does not get very concerned with his material needs. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”. I’ve seen it on coffee mugs, bookmarks, reward plaques, motivational posters, and at the end-of-my-rope social media posts.
Are you lonely?
ESV I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
This verse takes on an entirely different meaning when you put it in its actual context, doesn’t it? There is nothing that a Chrisitan is not supposed to be able to handle when they are in and with Christ. You could be chained to a wall, be chained to a guard 24/7, have relative freedom in a private home, or be thrown into a deep, dark pit. He was likely struggling with severe depression and earlier in the same letter, he even seems to have been longing for death, wavering between the decision to “depart and be with Christ,” or “remain in the flesh,” and continue in the mission God gave him. Except…no.
Anything you needed (food, clothing, etc.) He also said that he didn’t mind being in need. Change ), How to Be a Berean | Satisfaction Through Christ, Theology Thursday: Jeremiah 29:11 – danielthree18, Book Review: Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Book Review: Good Boy, Achilles (Eddie Ellis). This is just as true for us as it was for him.
Our mission at Atrio Hill is to make such reminders available to everyone so that you too can remember that the strength that only Christ can provide is always available to you. And perhaps the most important verse, the key to understanding Philippians 4:13, is actually found in Philippians 4:11 – “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am.” This word “content” comes from the Greek word autarkes , which means “sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support .”
#1 “I can…” Unlike worldly philosophies and motivational platitudes, Paul’s “I can” is rooted in a strength that is not his own. The source of his strength, that presses him on through all of these sufferings and afflictions is the transcendent peace that comes from Christ.
( Log Out / He has thanked God for their generosity, that they will be rewarded for their selfless act toward him.
This is almost too simple to grasp.
He was writing from prison at one of the lowest points of his life.
Paul is telling us that the secret to contentment is found in Christ alone. But for those of us that know Christ, we also know what Paul knew, that no matter what trouble befalls us, no matter what hardship comes our way, Jesus will never leave us, and he alone is the source of our strength. There is some debate as to where he was imprisoned (most scholars say Rome, but others say Ephesus), but everyone agrees, he was in prison.
Most of us have heard or read the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” but we often forget the circumstances in which the Apostle Paul wrote this famous verse. We are called to be strong, but to also know where our strength comes from, the strength of the Lord. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
( Log Out / That is not at all what Paul meant when he wrote this verse. Paul was well-known and well-loved by the Christians and the existing church by this time. I am going to repeat it. Are you scared?
While these versions of Philippians 4:13 may be accurate to the original Greek, they are incredibly misleading for many English speakers (at least in America). Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. While Paul is in prison he pens the letter of Philippians.
In this and many other places, God connects being strong with obeying him.
I can win the state football championship. Let’s look at the book of Philippians, put the verse into context, and exegete (pull out) the meaning, shall we?
Christians Should Not Complain The true meaning of Philippians 4:13 does change its message.
Paul would likely have been thrown into an empty well or cistern. That means so much coming from you!! Paul has been thanking the Philippians for their love for him and the material support they had been led to give to him. THAT is what Philippians 4:13 teaches us. Philippians 4:13 is a simple Bible verse yet people misinterpret it. Some feel the weight of unfulfilled dreams or plans that never came to fruition. 2:25), who had been ill, and wanted to return to Philippi because the people there were concerned about him. Reblogged this on The Outspoken TULIP and commented:
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”. You’ve seen this verse used out of context somewhere, I guarantee it. Ladies, we must stop taking individual “feel good” verse out of their context. . Thank you for all your hard work. Jesus says He is the living water. My fellow blogger Rachel has written a wonderful Bible Study on the real meaning of Philippians 4:13.
That the source of his strength is not in his circumstances, or even in his own happiness. When you understand Philippians 4:13 in context, it is a power-packed Bible verse. #3 “…through him who gives me strength.” “Be strong and very courageous” (Josh 1:7). Rachel, this is probably the best exegesis of Philippians 4:13 I’ve ever read!
I have Christ.
Even worse (for Paul at least) as he was sitting in prison, a rival missionary group with a dangerous message was threatening to dismantle the Christian communities he had spent the majority of his life nurturing and cultivating. Not only does she demonstrate how most evangelicals misuse this verse, but she underscores the necessity of quoting Scripture in context. Paul was not writing this for encouragement as he sought a job promotion, or before a big football game or standardized test. NLT For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. We all know the feeling of being overwhelmed by these trials. Paul may have written this verse to the Philippians, but one cannot help but think that it was also written for his own sake. What he needed during this time of intense trial was a written reminder of this profound truth. Paul can walk through all of this and more because the source of his strength is from without. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. They use it to show others they can fulfill any desire they please through Christ and by faith. Why do you want anything if you have Jesus? Jesus says He is the bread of life. We all face times of hardship and suffering. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, Meaning of “When My Heart Is Overwhelmed” – Psalm 61:2 KJV, Isaiah 45:7 Meaning of I Form the Light and Create Darkness, Hebrews 9:27 Meaning of People Are Destined to Die Once, Genesis 3:22 Meaning of the Man Has Now Become like One of Us, Galatians 5:13 Meaning of Serve One Another Humbly in Love, 10 Powerful Prayers for a Wedding Reception, Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do Meaning and Meditation, Ephesians 5:11 Meaning of Fruitless Deeds of Darkness.
Scripture says cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you, to be anxious for nothing, and that perfect love casts out fear. Philippians 4:13 Meaning by Atrio Hill October 24, 2018. There is no reason to be discontent on this earth, if you have Jesus Christ as your Savior. Our circumstances, whatever they may be, don’t matter.
It isn’t just that Christ is strong enough to handle our trials, but that he will give us strength from his vast stores (Eph 1:19), so that we can continue to act as his ambassadors and image-bearers on the earth, awaiting his sure return.
( Log Out / You’ve heard it quoted at basketball games, you’ve seen it decorating people’s homes, you’ve watched as professional football players use it to claim their wins.