A verse out of context (Philippians 4:13)

A number of years ago the Fijians were playing in a 7 a-side rugby competition and they had “Phil. 4:13” written on their jerseys. The commentator pointed out that this was from the Bible, and impressively showed he had done his homework as he explained that the text read ‘I can do all things through him who gives me strength.’ However he should then have moved back to talking about rugby for he went of to tell the viewers “it’s from the book of Philistines, chapter 4, verse 13.”

The Apostle Paul writes: I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Does that mean that, in God, we could run a 3-minute mile or jump over a tall building? We have got to pay attention to the context if we want to properly understand this verse! Paul has talked about being partners in the gospel (1:5). We know that he is in chains as he writes (1:13). He tells the Philippians that he has been in situations of need and of plenty (4:12). Now he says he can do everything through him who gives us strength. He is saying that whatever the circumstances we can achieve all God would have us do. As one commentator writes, ‘No circumstance could ever arise which would be too much for Paul’s God, and therefore no circumstance could ever beat Paul’ (Alec Motyer). I don’t know what those rugby players were thinking when they had “Phil. 4:13” put on their rugby jerseys. Perhaps they simply wanted to give God credit, that anything they achieved was only possible because God is the one who gives us the strength to do we do. However, the promise of this verse isn’t about winning rugby tournaments. The promise is that we can live a life centred on the gospel, whatever our circumstances may be, through him who gives us strength. If we are ‘in Christ’ then we are gospel-partners who are to live a life worthy of the gospel (1:27). We can do this no matter what the situation. We might be placed in a difficult family setting. We might not always enjoy good health. We may feel that we don’t have some of the talents we would like to possess. We may be in a tough workplace or class. But remember this ‘I can do everything through him who gives me strength’—whatever our circumstances, in Jesus we can live a life worthy of the gospel.