I Can Do All Things Through Christ (Philippians 4:13)

2023-07-14

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

Years ago, I was at an awards ceremony for college. We were asked to put down our favorite quote, which would be put on display as we received our award. Most put various quotations about success and perseverance. As a Christian, I chose this: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). It has nothing to do with academic, but there it was!

But there were two or three others that put up a verse from the Bible, and it was Philippians 4:13. It may make sense if taking this verse alone. They persevered through a difficult course of study and received this honor. However, how different is this from the others who put quotes up about hard work and perseverance?

This has been said to have been one of the most taken-out-of-context verses in the Bible. Consider the context:

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

The verse really speaks to adapting to whatever situation you find yourself in. Whether it be bountiful or lean times, Paul could adapt. He could do this by the grace of God. It may not necessarily be wrong to do what those students did; they did it with good intentions and were likely people of faith themselves. But if we use this in the sense that you are persevering through something and God is just getting you through, our understanding is wrong. His strength counts for everything and ours for nothing. He carries us through both the difficult times and the easier times.