In our last post, we considered how the worldview of our society has influenced the way many Christians interpret Scripture, using Philippians 4:13 as an example. The spirit of the age is one of extreme narcissistic self-obsession and excessive individualism. While the tendency to see ourselves as the center of the universe is rooted in original sin, the unprecedented wealth, opportunity, and technology of our day enhances the delusion. Such “advantages” give us the illusion that we’re smarter, more capable, and more talented than we are. We’re told we can be whoever or whatever we want, go wherever we please and do whatever we set our minds to do. We act as if we are the center of the universe. That is simply not true. And we must resist the temptation to interpret Scripture as if it were all about us. The Bible is the revelation of God and His purposes. We are a part of the story but it’s all about God.
We noted how the immediate context of Philippians 4:13 refers to the secret Paul has learned about being content in every situation. Whether he is humbled or respected, hungry or full, has little or plenty, he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. The Apostle makes this statement chained to a Roman soldier. If he meant what so many claim he meant, why did he not loose his bonds, dismiss the soldier and free himself from prison? After all, he can do all things though Christ who strengthens him!
When we consider the broader context of Paul’s life, his confident claim comes into even sharper focus. By his own admission, the Apostle’s ministry was often difficult, controversial, wearisome, and perilous. In 2 Corinthians we’re given insight into the many trials and troubles Paul faced along the way. Someone once suggested that the Apostle had to be a virile and robust man of great physical strength and endurance to endure and survive his experiences. He was often sleep deprived. There were times when food was scarce and his apparel, inadequate. He was well acquainted with the inside of a jail cell. When he wasn’t in prison, he was constantly on the move. He endured severe flogging on multiple occasions. Three times he’d been brutally beaten with rods. On one occasion, he was stoned and left for dead. He survived three shipwrecks. He’d spent a whole night and day, drifting on debris in the open sea. He had been bitten by a deadly viper. He’d navigated dangerous rivers and survived threats from bandits. He was the object of devious plots by Jews, Gentiles, and false brethren. The Apostle admits that his life was in peril everywhere he went. Whether on land or sea, in the city or the country, among pagans or Christians, there was no place on earth where he was safe.
Yes, there were moments when Paul was bewildered – at a loss to explain his circumstances. Nonetheless, he never found himself at his wits ends. He was never without hope.
We find a summary of Paul’s life of tribulation in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. He contrasts the weaknesses of his human experiences with the sustaining power of God. Though he is afflicted in every way, he is never crushed. In other words, he was hard pressed on every side but that extreme pressure could not reduce him to dust. There was always a way of escape. Though he was sometimes perplexed, he was never driven to despair. Yes, there were moments when Paul was bewildered – at a loss to explain his circumstances. Nonetheless, he never found himself at his wits ends. He was never without hope. He was persecuted by men but never forsaken by God. Through most of his ministry he was oppressed and relentlessly harassed, not only by enemies but those claiming to be brethren. However, they were never able to succeed in stopping his ministry for God sustained him. He was struck down but never destroyed. “Struck down” is a wrestling term where an opponent throws another to the ground. Paul’s enemies tried to destroy him, but they did not succeed. As William Barclay said, Paul “was knocked down but never knocked out.”
This is what Paul means when he says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Despite all that the Apostle faced, he had the strength to continue fulfilling God’s call through the enabling power of Christ. These are the kinds of “all things” Paul is referring to in Philippians 4:13. As Romans 8:37 says, we are not “more than conquerors” because we are “spared” all these things through Christ who loved us. We are “more than conquerors in” all these things through Christ who loved us.
