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Most of us have heard or read the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” but we often forget the circumstances in which the Apostle Paul wrote this famous verse. All Rights Reserved. Your form could not be submitted. It is no enticing promise to accomplish great feats for God. Share Twitter Facebook. The verse is often shortened to, "I can do all things . Teach me, my Father, to look to Jesus each moment of the day for my strength, and not to rely on my own, imperfect, human abilities and intelligence, for without You I … —Properly, I have strength in all things, rather (according to the context) to bear than to do. He isn’t a rich person telling a poor person to be happy with what they have (or vise versa), and he’s not sitting there on a full stomach telling hungry people to get over it. (4) that we need not dread what is to come. It’s an assurance that we can do whatever God calls us to do, not whatever we decide to do. How cheerfully should we engage in our duties, and meet the trials that are before us, leaning on the arm of our Almighty Redeemer! If you read the NIV translation of verse 13, you’ll notice an important distinction from most other translations: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (emphasis added). I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. Through Christ which strengtheneth me - See the notes at John 15:5. The Text: I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. Clarke's Philippians 4:13 Bible Commentary I can do all things - It was not a habit which he had acquired by frequent exercise, it was a disposition which he had by grace; and he was enabled to do all by the power of an indwelling Christ. There is one who is able to make a way for our escape. So, Philippians 4:13 is a verse about depending on God for strength in hard times and praising Him with thanksgiving. Philippians 4:13 Context. Writing from prison, Paul describes the joys of following Christ and persevering for ... Get expert commentary on biblical languages, fresh explorations in theology, hand-picked book excerpts, author videos, and info on limited-time sales. The Greek preposition is “in,” not “through.” It points to that vital, personal union with Christ that we have seen repeatedly throughout Philippians. Not on his own, but through Christ who strengthens him. Because he’s tested it, and he’s proved it. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me” “I can do”: “He has the power to cope with or is competent and able to handle” (Hawthorne p. 201). Mga Filipos 4:13 Study the Inner Meaning 13 Lahat ng mga bagay ay aking magagawa doon sa nagpapalakas sa akin. Let us not shrink from duty; let us not dread persecution let us not fear the bed of death. Like Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:19 is a popular verse that’s often misused.After thanking the Philippians for generously supporting him, the Apostle Paul writes, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”. It is a humbling principle that you have the power to stop complaining. We can’t strip away all the surrounding verses, remove it from its original intent, and still expect to understand it. ; it is a gloss, perhaps suggested by 1Timothy 1:12, where we have exactly the same phrase, “Christ Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me.” The same word is used in Ephesians 6:10, “Be strong (strengthened within) in the Lord.” In this sentence we have the world-wide distinction between the Stoic and the Christian. In all circumstances, Christ, our unchanging Friend, can uphold us. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} through Christ which strengtheneth me. Why Paul Wrote the Letter to the Philippians. Philippians 4:13 is one of the most well-known New Testament verses, but it’s also notoriously misused. Philippians 4:13 is one of the most popular verses in any of the 66 books of the Christian Bible, having been printed on millions of key chains and t-shirts, cellphone cases and coffee mugs. For Instructors and School Administrators. What a privilege it is, therefore, to be a Christian - to feel, in the trials of life, that we have one friend, unchanging and most mighty, who can always help us! This verse gives clear direction and offers genuine hope to the believer in Christ. That is not a sexy message, but it is powerful. Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version) Paul learned that his satisfaction, or fulfillment, or sufficiency, could not be consistently found in the material things around him. That’s because Christ is constant. The intro informatrion was very helpful. Get updates from Zondervan Academic directly in your inbox. Because in every circumstance he faced, he had learned how to be content. But is that what Paul is really saying here? The works carried out in the flesh can achieve nothing. Why? I can do all things through him who strengthens me. The conversation was rich, imaginative, and deeply counter-cultural. Philippians 4:13 is one of the most well-known New Testament verses, but it's also notoriously misused. No! Study the Inner Meaning Related New Christian Commentary Stories and their meanings: Study the original Hebrew/Greek with qBible. This isn’t a biblical exhortation you can stamp on whatever goals you have professionally, personally, or physically. Or to believe that Christ empowers us to do whatever we set our minds to? In Philippians 4:13, the verb is present tense, meaning, God’s continual, day-by-day infusing me with strength as I serve Him. Explanation and Commentary of Philippians 4:13. Question: "What is the meaning of Philippians 4:6?" Is he telling us to believe in ourselves? Not only does she demonstrate how most evangelicals misuse this verse, but she underscores the necessity of … The meaning of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength”. Just before Paul says, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” he recounts some of the different circumstances he’s found himself in: he’s been hungry and well-fed, he’s been in need and he’s been well off, and he’s learned to be content, no matter what his circumstances are. Paul isn’t juxtaposing these circumstances to suggest that one is better than the other. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I am currently doing research for a sermon on Phil. Learn more in Lynn H. Cohick’s Philippians online course. Cancel. This apparent contradiction is couched in a glorious truth - a staggering truth from the Word of God. ESV: English Standard Version 2016 . (3) that we need not be harassed, and vexed, and tortured with improper thoughts and unholy desires. It represents the ultimate and ideal consciousness of the Christian. Each teaches respect for the higher humanity in the soul; but to the one that humanity is our own, to the other it is “the Christ within,” dwelling in the heart, regenerating and conforming it to Himself. Gary Watkins on July 1, 2010 at 11:31 am Thanks for the information. He’s saying that no matter what your circumstances are, you can learn to be content. ASV. Philippians 4:13. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Philippians 4:13 ESV. In fact, he said this while living in bad conditions. Please check errors and resubmit. 🙃 They use it to show others they can fulfill any desire they please through Christ and by faith. There is one who can enable us to banish such thoughts from the mind, and restore the right balance to the affections of the soul. The Meaning Given To It: Many denominational preachers and even some brethren---especially those into the various forms of the "positive thinking" philosophy---have adopted this verse as their motto. Philippians 4:13 Meaning and Translation from other Bible Versions from NIV, KJV, ESV, NST, and many more. (2) that we need not yield to temptation. Paul has been thanking the Philippians for their love for him and the material support they had been led to give to him. Paul was writing to the Philippians about their concern for him. More literally, infuses strength into me, as the old verb inforce. As a result, many people have experienced disappointment, for example, Stephen Curry , whose example you will find at the end of this article. Bible Language English. Answer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions leave out the word "Christ", and only read "him"; and so the Alexandrian copy and others; but intend Christ as those that express it: strength to perform duty and to bear sufferings is in Christ, and which he communicates to his people; he strengthens them with strength in their souls, internally, as the word here used signifies; by virtue of which they can do whatever he enjoins them or calls them to, though without him they can do nothing. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. Bible Language English. How does he do it? This verse is so misused because many Christians interpret “all things” as “anything,” not “all the things Paul has talked about.” It’s not a blanket endorsement that God will support anything we set out to do and empower us to do whatever impossible things we can imagine. Books and articles that equip you for deeply biblical thinking and ministry. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Christian athletes often quote this verse when they win a game, match, or event. He could remain at peace that God was with him. Version. Human strength, a charismatic character, impressive qualifications, or noble birth, counts for nothing in God's economy. . Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. through Christ which strengtheneth me—The oldest manuscripts omit "Christ"; then translate, "In Him who giveth me power," that is, by virtue of my living union and identification with Him, who is my strength (Ga 2:20). Hop to Similar Bible Verses. Reblogged this on The Outspoken TULIP and commented: My fellow blogger Rachel has written a wonderful Bible Study on the real meaning of Philippians 4:13. He has thanked God for their generosity, that they will be rewarded for their selfless act toward him. At every step of life, Christ is able to strengthen us, and can bring us triumphantly through. Philippians 1:21) “To me to live is Christ.” In this consciousness alone is any thoughtful teaching of “self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-distrust,” intelligible and coherent. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. After telling his audience that he's experienced both poverty and affluence, the Apostle Paul writes these well-known words: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." KJ21. He … Version. It was not in any native ability which he had; not in any vigor of body or of mind; not in any power which there was in his own resolutions; it was in the strength that he derived from the Redeemer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Translation & Meaning. Philippians 4:13 NKJV. Complaining can curse any moment, any organization, or any relationship. PHILIPPIANS 4:13 ~ The Meaning Of, 'I Can Do ALL Things...' - Daily Devotional Enhance your school’s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust. The true meaning of Philippians 4:13 does change its message. That’s where verse 13 comes in. It’s an encouragement that God can give you the strength to be content, no matter what. Let the eye and the affections of the heart be fixed on him; let the simple, fervent, believing prayer be directed always to him when trials come, when temptations assail, when duty presses hard upon us, and when a crowd of unholy and forbidden thoughts rush into the soul: and we shall be safe. After telling his audience that he’s experienced both poverty and affluence, the Apostle Paul writes these well-known words: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”. ... As a group we wrestled with the meaning and implications of choosing a simple life, not only as an expression of faithful ministry but also as an expression of authentic Christianity. Philippians 4:11-13 To Be Content. February 1, 2019. If we truly want to know what a Bible verse or passage means, we have to read it in context. To stop complaining the meaning of Philippians 4:6? will give success wealth-completely! 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