In his letter to the church in Philippi, the Apostle Paul famously declares: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV). What does Paul in Philippians 4:13 really mean? Specifically, what does Paul mean by “all things”?
The best way to answer that question is to break down the verse to understand Paul’s meaning.
The basis of the promise is Jesus Christ. Paul doesn’t say you can do anything you want to do. He says you can do anything “through Christ.” It’s a very specific promise.
Contrast that promise with what Napoleon Hill famously said: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” That statement – also credited to W. Clement Stone – reflects the high hopes of humanity. And there’s some truth to it. Human beings can do incredible things if and when they muster enough belief and enthusiasm.
But humans can’t do “all things.” We have our limitations.
Thus, the Napoleon Hill / W. Clement Stone quote falls short of reality.
The promise in Philippians 4:13 is different. It doesn’t say we can do whatever our minds “conceive and believe.” It says we can do all things “through Christ.”
In other words, are we acting as a servant of Jesus Christ in what we’re striving to do? And are we doing something that Christ wants us to do? If yes, then we’re acting “through Christ.” If not, then we’re acting on our own agenda and strength, and the promise of Philippians 4:13 does not apply.
The scope of “all things” is defined by the words “through Christ.”
We’re therefore not talking about the fanciful, the ridiculous, the vain, or the selfish. We’re talking about all things which are consistent with God’s will in our life.
When I explained this to a friend at one point, he said that was a “cop-out.” But remember the context of Paul’s letter. He’s writing this to Philippi from Rome – where he’s under house arrest! In the course of his ministry, Paul was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, and all around persecuted. He was often ridiculed and criticized as well – sometimes by the Christian community! His was not a life of pleasure and ease. That’s the context from which the author is writing these words.
We stick verses like Philippians 4:13 on a refrigerator magnet, allow our imaginations to give such passages our own interpretation, and then complain when the proper meaning is explained to us!
It’s not a “cop out” to say that Philippians 4:13 applies to only those things which are consistent with God’s will for our life. It’s the proper understanding of the passage.
Paul’s declaration in Philippians 4:13 should give all of us hope and encouragement. It gives us hope because we know that nothing God calls us to is impossible.
No obstacle the world or the Enemy throws in our path can stop us from running the race God has set before us. Our happiness, our joy, our value, our success – all of it is dependent upon Christ and made possible by His strength. This isn’t limiting. It’s liberating.
And it should fill us all with joy and peace.
One Reply to “What Is the Scope of “All Things” in Philippians 4:13?”
Comments are closed.