Philippians 4:13

Introduction:

Context:

The verse is simple. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” But what is Paul really getting at? He is speaking to a particular people in a particular situation. What is He applying this statement to and how can it be faithfully applied to other situations if any?

It doesn’t take a very deep reading of Philippians to see that Paul held this church dearly in his heart. From the beginning he is filled with expressions of thanksgiving for the work God has done and confident hope in what God will continue to do. Even amidst this hope, Paul is not naive… He recognizes many of their weaknesses, after all the work which will be completed is not yet completed. Some of their weaknesses include: pride, selfishness, grumbling, perhaps some confidence in the flesh? difficulty with poverty and suffering. One central theme running through these struggles is that of contentment. Are they content in the glory of God, their lot in life, the work of Christ as their hope for salvation, etc. Now as Paul gives instruction in these different areas he loves to use real life scenarios to exemplify what he longs for them to grow in. He speaks on humility and selflessness, calling them to look to the examples of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. He encourages them with the promise of God’s work through hard situations and shows how his own imprisonment was a cause for the proclamation of the gospel. He challenges them to fight the tendency of confidence in the flesh, pointing to his own experience as evidence for the vanity of earthly works. Now, Paul uses the example of his own need and God’s provision to show practically what it looks like to live a life of contented endurance. God’s provision through them can easily be turned into an “of course you’re content, you’ve been given this supply of money.” Paul makes clear, however, that his contentment is not based on any earthly circumstance. He instead fights for contentment, and fights with victory, the same way he does all which God sets before him, “through Christ who strengthens me.”

Examining the Verse Itself:

“I can do.” What is the secret to Paul’s success in being content?

First of all he expresses the ability. He is able to do this, qualified, has strength or capacity for it. He can do it.

v We have all heard or even given the line in “I don’t know, can you do it?” We say this when someone asks “can I do x” rather than “may I do x.” They mean to ask for permission or allowance rather than asking if they have the capacity to do what they likely should easily be able to do. Here, however, the “can” is not so obvious. To the Philippians, and to any believer earnestly trying to be faithful (whether in fighting sin, being holy, or being faithful in various tasks) they would not be asking “may I” or “will I” but rather “can I? Is this even possible for me?” Paul answers in the affirmative… with a qualification… Through Him who strengthens.

Second, this statement is, by nature, an active word. Paul is not saying that he can be brought through every circumstance or can sit back whilst another does everything. He acts, he does. If we verb it we would say he does contentment. How many things, whether it be contentment, humility, understanding, love, etc. might we pray for growth in, only to sit back and expect it to be done for us. We are expected to work and fight, but only in or through Him.

“All Things.” This is perhaps where most people get hung up. What is referred to by “all things?” Is it every thing we might set our mind to? Or does it only refer to being content in all things? Contextually, Paul is applying this statement to the question of how a believer is able to be content amidst every situation. The statement, however, is not framed as being exclusive to this topic.

v If you want to learn to tie a knot well and you are told “it takes good instruction and disciplined practice,” we know that this advice is not exclusive to learning to tie a knot. It is a general principle or slogan which is immediately relevant to tying a knot, but elsewhere to learning a language, the piano, or any number of other skills. Likewise, this statement is framed as a sort of Pauline slogan, a general principle of how one fulfills any tasks entrusted to him by God including the call to be content in every circumstance.

^ Is this a word we take to heart? Do we indeed do “all things” through Him? Or is our attitude instead one of “I do most things through Him and the rest through my own inherent capacities?” I can easily assume none of us would explicitly say this, but can we honestly say that we approach the “simpler” tasks or the tasks which we find easier with the same level of dependence which we approach the intimidating tasks? Perhaps you don’t tend to grow angry very easily, but you are proudful. Do you fight tendencies toward anger, small as they might be, with the same dependence on this outside source as you would fight your pride? v We know that in order to charge our bodies with energy we need to eat (or get calories) and sleep. What if someone said “I often like to sleep and eat, though some weeks I find I can get by without and just at attention during the night while avoiding food the whole period.”… really… you sure about that? But don’t we often approach service to God like this?

“Through him who strengthens me.” The word order here is incredibly important, but easy to pass over. Paul does not say “I can do all things through the strength which He gives.” The focus is not on something given or having something but someone. If the focus was on something “strength from Him” we would be like prisoners of war turned into servants of a king. He did not kill them but saw them as useful for some task and thus keeps them around and gives them the tools they need to complete simple tasks. To read the passage as “I can do all things through the strength He gives” is to diminish the purpose of the gospel. We were saved for relationship, not to complete tasks. Our capacity to face the tasks set before us by God is found in or through Him (which from context we can imply Christ). It is not in receiving gifts but receiving Himself that we are strengthened.

^ Paul is limiting our capacity or ability to “do all things” to one circumstance, when we are strengthened in or through Him. He is the focus, it has to be Him. Not just, “I picked one source of strength out of many.” No it is through Him specifically. But what does this look like? v Paul gives clear example. Selfishness? Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Him. Salvation? Rest in His work completed, be found in Him. In tribulation? He is glorified, and that makes it all worthwhile. Work out your salvation, for He works in you. Being strengthened through Him or in Him looks like abiding in Him “I am the vine, you are the branches, unless you abide in me you can do nothing.” It looks like resting, not just in the gifts He gives but in His person, works, word, spirit, and yes all the other gifts He provides. But, the moment we try to receive His gifts as distinct from being in relationship with and receiving Himself, we have lost the cause. Is our end in pursuing spiritual disciplines to complete the tasks or to be in Him?

Final Considerations:

And so, my brothers, I hope we hear this passage this morning with fresh ears.

^ We are called to many tasks, do we strive to work in each one, each calling, each battle for holiness, each obstacle, to do every one in dependence, not only some? Do we work in the confidence that through Him we can do all things, or is there part of our hearts which yet question, “I know all those things can be done through Him, but can that?”

^ We are reminded that obedience to God requires action, as simple a statement as that is we can forget it so easily! Let us not forget that God expects us to work, but only to work in the strength which He provides.

^ Finally, are we making the focus of our efforts to be in Him or to just receive what He provides? Are you longing to abide in Him, to know Him, to rest in Him, to consider His works and promises?

Brothers, let us take hold of this promise. To hear the rebukes found in it and then to take hold of it with firm confidence. Is there any obstacle which seems to big? Is there any sin which feels to strong? Any temptation too overwhelming? Any task too intimidating? Let us take this promise, to consider it night and day, to feast upon this promise and walk boldly in the confidence it should bring.

I. Intro

“Idk Can you?” Not a matter of ability but permission. In the case of the Philippians, it was very much a matter of ability.

Prayer, Reading

Context: Philippians growth and love. Areas of needed growth. The battle for contentment. Can we do it? Well of course you can.

II. Working through the text

I can do: Communicates ability, qualification, worthiness? It is active. We are expected to do. Do not simply sit back and expect it to be done.

All things: Not all things you want to do nor just contentment, but all things he expects of you. Knots. Not only some things or not most things plus my strength. Sleep, Air? All things only in Him.

through him who strengthens me. What he does not say. The emphasis is on Him. 1) We were made for relationship, not contract. 2) We are able not by things He gives but by means of Himself. 3) Jn 15, Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Other illustrations? When your heart is so set on Christ, your eyes see little but Him, your heart wants little but Him, and you are upset by little for your heart is filled with such fulness.