Can We Please Stop Using Philippians 4:13 Out of Context?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).
Philippians 4:13 is one of the most quoted and memorized Bible verses of the Bible. About 99.9% of the time, it is quoted out of context. We see it verse everywhere. We see it on: t-shirts, coffee mugs, banners for sports teams, magnets, Christian bookstore tchotchkes, and even on tattoos. We hear it quoted at Hollywood award “ceremonies.” In fact, if most knew the context and meaning of Philippians 4:13, they would hesitate to brandish the verse. I submit to you: most “churches” and “leaders” would not even know how to model Philippians 4:13.
In order to first discuss the meaning behind Philippians 4:13, we must first understand the background of this Pauline letter itself. The Apostle Paul wrote the Letter to Philippians around 60 AD. We learn from Paul in the beginning of the letter that he was in prison. Paul writes:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:12–14 NASB).
Taking a step back, the timeline of Paul’s arrest is as follows: arrested (Acts 26), transported to Rome (Acts 27:1), shipwrecked on Malta (Acts 27:42), rescued after 3 months (Acts 28:11), and finally delivered to the Roman government (Acts 28:16). Suffice to say, at this time of Paul’s life, he was not having “His best life now.” Paul would end up in in prison until his death. There is some debate to the exact date of Paul’s death, however it is widely understood that Paul was executed in Rome between 63–65 AD.
I would be willing to bet $1MM if Paul could glimpse into the future and see how his writing is currently being used, he would instruct those to reread his letter. As was stated earlier, Philippians 4:13 is a Bible verse that has been taken out of context. There is a saying from Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek which is, “There are no verses in the Bible.” The verse and chapter numbers we currently see in the Bible were added in around the early 1500’s. In summation, we should not cherry pick Bible verses and ultimately misrepresent the selected verses. Plucking Bible verses can very easily lead to error (Side note: I highly suggest looking into and taking Dr. Turek’s online course called “How to Interpret Your Bible.”)
To understand the full context of our Philippians 4:13, we must start a few verses before verse 13. Paul writes:
“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty” (Philippians 4:11–14 NASB).
With the verse in full context, we gain an understanding Paul’s message. Paul’s message is not meant to be “milk toasty” or even an inspirational message. The heart of Philippians 4:11–14 is: Learning to be content through Christ.
Learning to be content through Christ is the heart of Philippians 4:13. Christ provided strength for Paul through his: beatings, starvation, tortures, imprisonments, and other sufferings. Paul endured all of these sufferings because of his being called to spread the Gospel. At any point of Paul’s life, he could have denied Christ. Paul could have turned away from the path of Christ and avoided all future sufferings. Paul needed Christ to give him the strength to complete his calling.
In the United States, it is difficult for us to relate to suffering for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 99.9% of the US population have never truly suffered for being a Christian. There are places around the world where being a Christian is a literal death sentence. Those countries include: Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, India, etc… It would be relative for a Christian living in one of the aforementioned countries to need Christ to strengthen them. A Christian there is indisputably having to risk there lives and freedom by believing in Christ. In spite of all the impending danger, many will boldly proclaim Christ as their savior. In the United States, the worst thing 99% will endure is a mean tweet and/or Facebook comment.
All in all, let us please stop using Philippians out of context. Doing so is a slap in the face to our church forefathers and most importantly, Christ Himself.
And as the Apostle Paul closed his letter in 2 Corinthians 13:14, so too will I close by saying, “May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
Unapologetically Christian Apologetics™
Sources:
