I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:13 is a well-known and beloved verse amongst Christians today. Unfortunately, it is also often misunderstood and misquoted. Frequently, this verse is used to say that whatever a person decides they want to accomplish in life, they can because God will give them strength. However, this is not the message that Paul was trying to convey when he wrote this verse.
To better understand Paul’s true meaning behind his words, it is important to understand what was happening in the world during that time. There was a group of people who broke off from Christianity, called the Stoics. They believed that in order to be truly content in life, they needed to get to a point that they didn’t care about anything that happened to themselves or others. They believed this could be done on their own by manipulating their own desires.
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 challenged the Stoics’ beliefs. Paul didn’t believe that he could do anything he wanted and God would give him the strength to do it. Instead, he believed he could endure anything God put in his path. He knew that whatever life brought his way, he could draw strength from Christ to come through it.
God is still in control, and He is still the Source of strength. Thank Him for this promise today. Pray that His will would be done and for the strength to follow it. Pray that the nation’s public servants would also take the true meaning of this verse to heart. Ask God to reveal to them His will for the United States and give them the strength to follow it.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
12 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
