Philippians 4:13-14
Perhaps the most misused passage in all of Scripture is Philippians 4:13. It has become the battle cry of many an American football player. You often see it on the black eye paint, the word ‘Phil’ on one side, and ‘4:13’ on the other. You might see it on a quirky Instagram post of a bodybuilder at a gym, maybe with the caption, “Get swole. #philippians413.” But what does this passage really mean? Does it mean we as humans can do whatever we want in the strength Christ supplies? Well, it depends.
To understand this passage, we first need to understand the difference between physical strength and spiritual strength. There are physical limits placed on me, you, and everyone in this world. No matter how strong I may become, my physical limits are, well, limited. It does not matter how hard we train our bodies, there will always be things we simply cannot do. Is Paul then exaggerating when he says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me?” Not at all! Philippians 4:13 is not talking about physical ability; rather, Paul is talking about his spiritual strength.
Spiritual strength refers to the human soul’s ability to endure all manner of attacks, whether physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. It all depends on the strength of one’s faith. It is faith that allows Christians to persevere regardless of circumstances. This type of strength becomes clear when we understand the context. We really need to understand some key themes of Philippians to get a more complete picture of the type of strength to which Paul is referring.
Throughout his letter to the Philippians, Paul has made a great many references to the immense suffering he has endured both physically and spiritually. The first mention of such suffering is made all the way back in Philippians 1:12, where Paul makes mention of “what has happened to me,” and further clarifies this as an imprisonment in the following verse. To add to this suffering, there is also the reality that many looking upon his imprisonment are using it to proclaim Christ from “selfish ambition” (1:15-18a). And to top it all off, there is the anxiety he has for the Philippians themselves that they would not abandon the faith (1:27-30). The suffering has become so great that Paul actually wishes for his own death (1:18b-26). He is in great spiritual agony. With this context, let’s look again at Philippians 4:10-13.
Paul rejoices in the support the Philippians have so willingly given him, yet he notes that such support is unneeded. Notice verses 11 and 12, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am 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 secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Throughout the many seasons of Paul’s life, some have left him very poor, and some have left him very rich. Some have left him hungry; others have left him full. Some have left him in pain; others have left him at peace. And notice in these passages the emphasis on “I.” Paul has learned that in all of these circumstances, Christ alone is completely sufficient in supplying him all that he needs. If Paul had to, he could go it alone. And all that he needs goes beyond any physical experience but is found in the fulfillment that comes in knowing Christ and the hope of the resurrection. This is why Paul is so confident in the face of death, because he has all he needs.
It is here, then, that Paul goes on to say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (4:13). In other words, “Regardless of whatever circumstances I face, Christ is able to give me all that I would ever need. He is my treasure. He is my fullness. He is my peace.”
This theme is further made clear by how Paul continues in verse 14. He begins with the contrasting conjunction, “Yet.” The word ‘yet’ carries with it both an addition to what was previously said and a type of disregard for it. Disregard not necessarily in a negative sense, as something to be pitied or unappreciated (though this could be the result), but in the sense that what followed was not necessary in light of what happened. Paul has already made clear that he was perfectly content in Christ alone to supply all his need. This makes the support that the Philippians gave all the sweeter. It wasn’t needed in light of the contentment Paul experienced in Christ, yet it came anyway and increased his love for Christ and for them all the more.
This carries with it great themes of Christian love. Each one of us has all that we need in Christ. There is nothing we lack. We who have received the Holy Spirit have received everything we could ever need and more, so that whether in seasons of abundance or in seasons of want, we can find perfect, spiritual contentment, that is, strength. Our duty as Christians, then, is to find those who have all they need, and only increase their supply all the more. We are to carry out Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 2:3 and 4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We whose cups have overflowed with the love Christ has lavished upon us should long to see our cups spill over onto others. We should long to show the same love to others that we ourselves have received from Christ.
We must, just like the Philippians, share the troubles of those around us. For in so doing, we are acting like Christ to them.