I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!

For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13. 

 I have been going through a rough patch in life and recently someone, out of good will, encouragement and probably compassion sent me a motivational quote about channeling my thoughts to becoming a prosperous and wealthy person because I have that ability, the support text they used is the above quoted verse. 

As I looked the verse in the scriptures I realized that it’s a verse quoted out of context, hence it prompted me to read the entire letter in order to get the context and probably what the verse means and meant to the first recipients and it’s been an interesting study. Let me share with you what I found out about the text. 

First, this letter was written by Paul in AD 62 while imprisoned in Rome under Nero awaiting his execution. He was writing to a church that he helped found some years earlier while on his missionary journeys. In one of his missionary journeys Paul was summoned by a man through a dream to go to Macedonia to help them and that’s exactly what he did. When he reached Philippi, which was the capital city of Macedonia he was welcomed and accommodated by wealthy woman who is said to be a worshipper of God. Afterwards Paul engaged the city through the gospel but it turned chaotic after he cast out a divination demon in a certain slave girl which got him and Silas, his travel companion, to be scourged and imprisoned for a night but was miraculously released from the prison in the middle of the night. Acts 16. 

Paul and Silas left a few disciples when they left, years later the church has grown and the whole province of Macedonia has some representation of the church. It is this church that he is now addressing. It is also worthwhile to note that during this time some persecution to the church had begun and Christianity was heading to very difficult and uncertain times in the Roman Empire. There were many accusations leveled at the church and Christians in general and most were living in fear. 

Paul expresses his delight and encouragement about the report of the growth of the church over the years. He doesn’t hold any grudge about what had happened to him while in the city years earlier, over the years he had learned to focus on the main goal. He encourages the church to be bold in suffering for the gospel. Phil 1:28-30. 

In chapter two of the letter, Paul advocates for humility and care for each other in the church. Here he goes further to show how Christ through humility left all the comfort he had in heaven and took the form of a slave in his human body because he cared for the church. 

In chapter three he continues to encourage them to be bold in sharing the gospel and to always rejoice in all circumstances. It’s like Paul knew that these guys were going through a hard time and they needed encouragement. I believe that encouragement worked its way, especially coming from someone who was then in prison for the sake of the gospel.

In chapter four Paul encourages the church to always submit all their needs to God and not to worry but be joyful always. He also encourages the church to give towards the spreading of the gospel. Here he also expresses his gratitude to the few who supported him financially during his ministry. While on this point he explains that the reason he mentions that is not because he’s requesting them to send money but rather that through his journey with Christ, he had learned to be content in all circumstances. That he could go without food rejoicing and also enjoy delicacies rejoicing, that he could be penniless and still share the gospel joyfully and also have millions in the bank and yet not lose focus of the main thing which is sharing the gospel…therefore he says “For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” Here I believe that Paul is speaking about the discipline that he had attained through his walk with Christ that had enabled him to stay focused on the main goal which is to share the gospel no matter the circumstances. 

May Christ help us stay focused on the main goal no matter the situation. 

Dunmo