Philippians 4:13
Feb 18, 2025 by Addison Crissone
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:13
-Philippians 4:13
This verse is one of the most quoted and beloved verses in all scripture. Why?
Because it speaks of confidence in God and His strength. It assures us that we can do all things through Him no matter what we face.
While this is all true, I am not sure we appreciate this verse's full scope and value.
I was scrolling through social media a few weeks ago when I came across this statement regarding this verse-
"This verse is not about success or achieving goals, or even about going through hardships aided by God's strength."
Hold up. Isn't it?
Not really.
Many of us have wandered around with the idea that Paul was telling the Philippians something along these lines:
"I can do absolutely everything; I can achieve that dream, that goal. I can face this or that trial. All through Him who gives me strength."
Again, while this is not exactly untrue, I don't believe it was the exact point Paul wanted to drive across.
Let's read verses 12 and 13 for context:
Because it speaks of confidence in God and His strength. It assures us that we can do all things through Him no matter what we face.
While this is all true, I am not sure we appreciate this verse's full scope and value.
I was scrolling through social media a few weeks ago when I came across this statement regarding this verse-
"This verse is not about success or achieving goals, or even about going through hardships aided by God's strength."
Hold up. Isn't it?
Not really.
Many of us have wandered around with the idea that Paul was telling the Philippians something along these lines:
"I can do absolutely everything; I can achieve that dream, that goal. I can face this or that trial. All through Him who gives me strength."
Again, while this is not exactly untrue, I don't believe it was the exact point Paul wanted to drive across.
Let's read verses 12 and 13 for context:
"For I have learned in whatever situation to be content.
I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secrets of facing
plenty and hunger, abundance and need. "
I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secrets of facing
plenty and hunger, abundance and need. "
Here, the word "abound" means 'to make what one has be sufficient for oneself'. It means that no matter how little one may have, it is enough. Not only is it enough for yourself, but you have an abundance enough to share with others.
Paul isn't referring to simply having an abundance, but rather learning how to adjust his life, and his desires, in a way that even if he has so little, it is enough. Remember my friend, Paul was in prison as he wrote this letter to the Phillipains. Has had nothing, and yet he said he abounded. He was able to do the hard things and endure these circumstances because of Christ.
He was able to face unimaginable persecution and interrogation while imprisoned because of Christ who gave him strength.
His heart was pure as he prayed-
"Lord, out of my lack and my want, teach me to desire and need less so that the little that I have will be more than enough for me that I may have an abundance."
Paul learned how to deny himself along with his wants, desires, and needs.
He believed Jesus when he said, "If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."
Paul was a powerful and very real example of denying oneself, and he was able to live this way because of Christ who gave him the strength to do so.
Paul isn't referring to simply having an abundance, but rather learning how to adjust his life, and his desires, in a way that even if he has so little, it is enough. Remember my friend, Paul was in prison as he wrote this letter to the Phillipains. Has had nothing, and yet he said he abounded. He was able to do the hard things and endure these circumstances because of Christ.
He was able to face unimaginable persecution and interrogation while imprisoned because of Christ who gave him strength.
His heart was pure as he prayed-
"Lord, out of my lack and my want, teach me to desire and need less so that the little that I have will be more than enough for me that I may have an abundance."
Paul learned how to deny himself along with his wants, desires, and needs.
He believed Jesus when he said, "If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."
Paul was a powerful and very real example of denying oneself, and he was able to live this way because of Christ who gave him the strength to do so.
