I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians chapter four verse thirteen in one of the most well known scriptures in all of American Christendom. It is found on bookmarks, tapestries and tattoos. It’s a common mantra, the life verse of many. The confidence of thousands of ambitious Christians is built on the premises of this solitary verse.
The supposed meaning coincides with the mantra of our generation, “You can do anything you want because Christ gives you strength. Aim for the stars, reach for your dreams.”
Not quite. In context, Paul is teaching about being content whether you are wealthy and well fed, or whether you are poor and hungry.
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, 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.
Living in humble means, being hungry, and suffering need is usually not in the list of “all things”. Plus the emphasis is on circumstances out of our control. It is a lesson in trusting God and His sovereignty, not divine aid for you to be all that you can be. This verse gives hope to the downtrodden, and humility to the wealthy. It’s not a peptalk to give us warm fuzzies and support our bottomless pit of ambition and greed. All the things you do can be done in Christ’s strength, but Jesus doesn’t give you strength to do anything.
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