What does Phil. 4.13 mean?

[JimB]

Phil. 4.13 is quoted a lot in this forum, but what is it really telling us? If I can do all things in Christ just by believing, why can’t I sprout wings and fly, or l lift a the Washington Monument, or live underwater, or sing like Bocelli, or look like Elvis? Apparently, “all things” must refer to something specific, not a general statement. The context says,

Phil. 4. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.​

Apparently the “all things” in v.13 are the same as the “all things” in v.12—i.e., whatever state, both in suffering want or enjoying abundance. Paul can do it either way, he can endure any condition, “all things,” nothing else.

What do you think?

 

[RDKirk]

Don't forget that the Body of Christ is on earth to perform a mission, not just to live life, go to work, go to church, la-de-da. We are here to perform a mission, and each of us should be dedicated to attending to that mission.

In that regard, we can do all things necessary for the mission Christ has given us through Christ who prepares us, equips us, and strengthens us for the mission.

When I was in the Air Force, the service provided for all my needs. The Air Force base had hospitals, housing, dining facilities, golf courses, movie theaters, hobby shops, recreation centers, chapels. But the Air Force did not provide for my needs because I was just such an awesome dude. It was so that I would be prepared body, mind, and spirit when the service called on me to perform the mission.

It's all about the mission. Paul understood that:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

What else are we here for? Have you seen the movie "2012?" Fast forward this clip to about 2:10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqC0M6VrViQ

Then as you watch Los Angelas tilt and slide into the ocean, consider this:

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. -- Zephaniah 1

What you see in that movie will happen. God will wipe every trace of man's work from the face of the planet. There will not be a Washington DC, there won't be a New York City, there won't be a Dallas Texas. There won't even be a trace, not one brick upon another. There won't be anything left that any man can say, "I built that" or "I was president over that."

Nobody is going to care who was president or who landed on the moon or who was a movie star. But there will be this:

"I remember you. You first told me about Jesus."
"I remember you. You contributed to my missionary effort."
"I remember you. You fed me when I was hungry."

Nothing that exists today will exist in God's future age...except those who are saved.

So it's all about the mission. What Paul is talking about--what he always talks about--is that Christ will make sure we have what we need for the mission.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Look at verse 8 of chapter 4, for example: all those things that are best in life and are personified indeed by the Lord Jesus are acquired by faith and not by self-assertion.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I see Phil 4:13 as talking about being able to do all things as it pertains to ministry. If God calls us to live in poverty for His name or in riches, no matter where or what the calling may be, because of Christ we can do these things.

 

[Optimax]

Phil. 4.13 is quoted a lot in this forum, but what is it really telling us? If I can do all things in Christ just by believing, why can’t I sprout wings and fly, or l lift a the Washington Monument, or live underwater, or sing like Bocelli, or look like Elvis? Apparently, “all things” must refer to something specific, not a general statement. The context says,

Phil. 4. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.​

Apparently the “all things” in v.13 are the same as the “all things” in v.12—i.e., whatever state, both in suffering want or enjoying abundance. Paul can do it either way, he can endure any condition, “all things,” nothing else.

What do you think?

All those silly things mentioned we do not need to do.

I can do all things that I need to do thru Christ.

 

[Johnnz]

Paul was referring to his enabling to continue serving Christ as an apostle in spite of the many hardships he has experienced. It is about God enabling to achieve what he had been called to do. That is the valid context and application for that verse. Nothing at all to do with becoming a superman.

John
NZ

 

[Faulty]

Phil. 4.13 is quoted a lot in this forum, but what is it really telling us? If I can do all things in Christ just by believing, why can’t I sprout wings and fly, or l lift a the Washington Monument, or live underwater, or sing like Bocelli, or look like Elvis? Apparently, “all things” must refer to something specific, not a general statement. The context says,

Phil. 4. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.​

Apparently the “all things” in v.13 are the same as the “all things” in v.12—i.e., whatever state, both in suffering want or enjoying abundance. Paul can do it either way, he can endure any condition, “all things,” nothing else.

What do you think?

"I have learned in whatever state I am"
"abased"
"abound"
"in need"
"full"
"hungry"

The context is whatever circumstance he finds himself in, he is able to endure.

 

[RodofMoses]

Phil. 4.13 is quoted a lot in this forum, but what is it really telling us? If I can do all things in Christ just by believing, why can’t I sprout wings and fly, or l lift a the Washington Monument, or live underwater, or sing like Bocelli, or look like Elvis? Apparently, “all things” must refer to something specific, not a general statement. The context says,

Phil. 4. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.​

Apparently the “all things” in v.13 are the same as the “all things” in v.12—i.e., whatever state, both in suffering want or enjoying abundance. Paul can do it either way, he can endure any condition, “all things,” nothing else.

What do you think?

What I take from it is that Christians can expect to suffer hunger and need. That's what strikes me. Lots of us seem to think we won't go hungry or have needs because we think the word tells us all our needs will always be met. That scripture tells me something different though.

 

[rick357]

"I have learned in whatever state I am"
"abased"
"abound"
"in need"
"full"
"hungry"

The context is whatever circumstance he finds himself in, he is able to endure.

Yes we can endure hardship but abounding doesnt take much endurance...the subject goes back to verse 4-9 with 13concluding that having these things alive in ones life are not dependant on circumstances.

 

[Messy]

I proclaimed this text for a year when I had RSI and couldn't work with a computer anymore, so I was at home, couldn't do much and after confessing for a year that I am able to do all things God tells me to do - which I believe is the meaning of it - I was healed. He wanted me to go to the office again apparently, LOL. Now I use it for everything they say I can't do and what I know God wants me to do and it works again, there's a miracle behind my nose.

 

[Optimax]

I proclaimed this text for a year when I had RSI and couldn't work with a computer anymore, so I was at home, couldn't do much and after confessing for a year that I am able to do all things God tells me to do - which I believe is the meaning of it - I was healed. He wanted me to go to the office again apparently, LOL. Now I use it for everything they say I can't do and what I know God wants me to do and it works again, there's a miracle behind my nose.

The power of the word is released when it is believed and acted on.