This is also one of the most misused verses in the Bible. Christians do not take this verse according to its context, but rather twist its meaning to fit their mindset. For instance, the way many Christians read this verse is: "I can do anything that I want ... in Christ who strengthens me." Many other Christians read it this way: "I can get anything I want through Christ who strenghens me." I have found myself praying according to one of these two latter applications of Philippians 4:13. 'Lord, I want that girlfriend. Lord, I need that job. Lord, please give me more money. Lord, I'd make the best manager for You.' Eventually, the Lord, in His mercy, has denied many of my "wish list" prayer items and also given me a higher revelation of what this precious verse means.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome around AD 65. To understand any verse in the Bible, we need to look at the (1) direct context in which it was written, (2) the surrounding context of the chapter where it is found, (3) the whole context inherent in the book to which it is contained, (4) the New Testament understanding and even (5) the entire Bible itself from cover to cover. To know what I am talking about here requires some maturity in Christ. [see also How To Study The Bible]

Firstly, we need to consider (1) the direct context of Paul's words in Philippians 4. Paul was imprisoned. He was in a very uncomfortable condition physically and mentally. Since he was in bondage, he could not directly care for the saints' needs as he had done for many years prior. Prisons back then were not as today where prisoners are given all their necessities and even some luxuries. No. Paul was not cared for properly by the Roman prison system, but rather, he depended on outsiders to bring him food, clothing and necessary commodities. This brings us to the direct context of Paul's writing "I can do all things in Him." Paul wrote that he "rejoiced in the Lord greatly because now at length you [Philippian believers] have caused your thinking for me to blossom anew; for which matter you had indeed taken thought, but lacked opportunity. Not that I speak according to lack, for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:10-11)

Paul is making it clear that he has needs and is dependent on outside sources to meet those needs. However, he also makes it clear that it is God who is his true Source of Supply. He has found contentment in God who supplies all his needs through whatever means He deems necessary. Paul continued to explain his situation in verse 12: "I know also how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in everythings and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to lack." Hopefully, you can see that Paul's prayer has nothing to do with getting what he wants. He is writing about his very survival and his dependence on God's supply through the saints or other means.

This is confirmed by Philippians 4:14-16, "Nevertheless you did well to have fellowship with me in my affliction. And you yourselves also know, Philipppians, that int he beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the account of giving and receiving except you only; For even in Thessalonica you sent both once and again to my need." Paul was not asking God to make him the champion of gospel preachers. He was not asking to get a large income so he could enjoy his own life. No. Paul was soberly stating the fact of human frailty to those who had once and again cared for his physical and emotion needs.

If we look beyond the paragraph in which verse 13 is contained, we see the larger (2) surrounding context of "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." And that is "rejoicing." Philippians four begins with the matter of rejoicing. Specifically, Paul speaks of rejoicing in ALL things. This was in the midst of a cold, dark, dank prison cell which stank of human excrement. Sanitation was lacking while sickness abounded. This was in the middle of some of his coworkers quarreling over certain issues that Paul felt were minor. This was in the setting of false teachers, whom Paul addressed as "enemies of the cross", going about gaining money and commodities to fill their stomach for self gain rather than for the building up of the Body of Christ (3:18-19).

Whenever we ask others to meet our needs, it is awkward. The scriptures says that it is better to give than to receive. But where there is giving, there must also be receiving. There is proper giving and there is proper receiving. Paul is displaying a proper way to trust the Lord for supplying his needs. The difficulty lies with our motives for asking for help. Are we mooching? In other words, have we shunned our own responsibility to "feed" off of others' hard work? Are we taking advantage of others? In other words, do we take from others what rightfully should go to meet the needs of the truly needy? Unfortunately, many ministers of God do those very things in the name of Jesus! But Paul was doing NO such thing. He was simply opening up his situation and asking his family, the brothers and sisters in Christ, to consider him before the Lord. He rejoiced in Christ before he asked them for anything and he would continue to rejoice in Christ even if they did not send him a single scrap of food or clothing.

So what did Paul mean when he said, "I can do All things in Him?" I believe he was referring back to the previous verse 12: "I know also how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in everythings and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to lack." The context is not that we can get what we want like a new car or a better job. The context is not that we can do anything we want like become a better husband or take over someone else's position which is better than our own. Paul was simply stating that he could be abased in Christ or he could abound in Christ and still maintain his view ... that all he is, all he does, and all he has is for Christ and the church.

Philippians 1:19: "For I know that this will turn out to salvation through your petition and the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Paul's focus, Paul's center, Paul's circumference was salvation in Christ and utter dependence on Him. The entire book of Philippians speaks of this and does not even give a hint of selfish ambition or vainglory (2:1-4). Paul wrote of a Christ who was God. This One abounded in all things, yet was willing to give up the position of being in the Godhead in order to condescend to our pitiful, fallen state in order to save us! What a salvation (2:5-11). When Paul said that he had learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to lack, he was sharing his experience of the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ who met his every need for physical and spiritual survival. Sometimes he abounded and when he did, he condescended to others in need and gave of all that he had in Christ's name. Sometimes he lacked and when he did, he looked to the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Saints, this is the true gospel: For it is God who operates in us both the willing and the working of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings that we may be blameless and guileless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom we shine as luminaries in the world (2:13-15). What a revelation of Christ that Paul shared with the Philippians and of course, to all of us. He and we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us! We can abound in Christ. We can suffer lack in Christ. We can overcome any situation in Christ so that we can enjoy the salvation of the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ and others can see it in us and through us!