![]() ![]() What Paul Really Means by "I Can Do All Things"Ĭhristians are not wrong to use Philippians 4:13 as a banner of God’s strength and power at work in their lives. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).Īnd in Philippians 4:13, Paul follows his discussion on contentment with the now-famous words, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” In fact, in the NIV translation, it is written, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”Īnd what is the “this” to which Paul was referring? It is the specific ability to find contentment whatever the circumstance, which Paul argues can only come from Christ who gives him strength. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. In his previous letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, as Matthew Henry writes, “we need his (Christ’s) strength to teach us to be content in every condition.” When times are tough and things aren’t going the way we plan, this is a fertile ground for frustration, despair, and discouragement to take root. Paul Preaches on the Power of Contentmentįinding contentment in difficult circumstances is difficult for even the most stouthearted believer. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” ( Philippians 4:11-12). I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” ( Philippians 4:18).īut while their financial support was nonetheless appreciated, Paul also used his time in prison to remind his fellow believers that financial well-being and one’s physical condition are not indicative of one’s spiritual health and well-being.Īs he writes, “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. He writes, “I have received full payment and have more than enough. ![]() This was a church that had gone out of its way to take care of Paul, and he wanted to thank them for their continued support.Īs one who shared such a loving relationship with the Philippian church, Paul also wanted to provide an update on his present condition and let his friends know that he was well cared for and doing all right. In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul shows his appreciation to the Philippians by writing, “Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need” ( Philippians 4:15-16). Epaphroditus later returned to Philippi with a letter from Paul to the church.īut why is this important to the context and understanding of Philippians 4:13? Paul Gives Thanks to the Philippians In fact, upon learning that Paul had been imprisoned in Rome, the church in Philippi sent Epaphroditus to Rome with financial aid for Paul. ![]() Even after he departed, Paul continued to enjoy a warm relationship with the Philippians, who were diligent in providing financial support to the apostle during his ministry. We know from the book of Acts that Paul had visited the church in Philippi during his second missionary journey ( Acts 16) and again on his third journey through the region ( Acts 20:1-6). Paul’s Relationship with the Philippian Church As someone living under house arrest at the time, he was perfectly situated to address these topics with both authority and grace. This is why Paul writes often about the need to find “joy,” “peace,” and “contentment” in present circumstances. It does, however, attempt to encourage the Philippian church, which was facing opposition from the outside as well as a fair amount of strife and division from within. Similar to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, his letter to the Philippians doesn’t address any major behavioral concerns. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four “Prison Epistles” written during this time. In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest ( Acts 28:30-31), encouraging local churches via letters written from prison. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |