![]() ![]() He is under house arrest until he goes before Caesar to be judged. But he is not living in a four star hotel and he is not living in luxury. He even says in v 18 that he is doing well due to their support. Remember, Paul is still in prison in Rome as he writes. Thus when Paul says, “I can do all things…,” he means, “I can handle bad circumstances and good circumstances through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul’s point is actually antithetical to the prosperity gospel message. His relationship to Christ made them both essentially irrelevant ( Philippians, p. Whether he was free, or whether he was in prison (which he was at this time), he was content.īut Paul is neither reveling in the one nor complaining of the other …In contrast to some of the Cynics, he did not choose “want” as a way of life, so as to demonstrate himself to be content rather he had learned to accept whatever came his way, knowing that his life was not conditioned by either. With good health or bad, Paul was content. Whether he had a lot (abounding, full) or very little (abased, hungry, in need), Paul was content. The Apostle Paul “learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11). Verses 11-12 show that in Phil 4:13 the “all things” which Paul could do concerned coping with poverty (and with material needs) and also with handling riches (and prosperity). The meaning of Phil 4:13 is clear if we read it in its context, which means reading the verses before and after it. It does not mean that if you are a Christian and you try hard enough, you can become anything you want to be. ![]() It doesn’t mean that all Christians can play in the NFL. Philippians 4:13 does not mean that all Christians can be rocket scientists. The Bible does not work if we take words out of context and make them say things they were not intended to say. Contentment in Fullness or in Want (Phil 4:11-13) In the first century it took money to do ministry for the Lord. We tend to think of Christian ministry as prayer and Bible teaching and evangelism and spiritual stuff. Here Paul thanks the church at Philippi for their financial support of his ministry: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again though you surely did care, but lacked the opportunity.” As we shall see, recognizing that is important. Philippians 4:13 is part of Paul’s thank you note at the end of his letter to the Philippians. Thanks for Their Generous Support (Phil 4:10) When understood in context, the actual meaning and application is far different than most think. While many people love this verse, most love it for the wrong reason. Jon Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, has it tattooed on his chest. Philippians 4:13 is a favorite verse for many people: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Tim Tebow put Phil 4:13 under his eye before football games. ![]()
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