Enkurio

Philippians 4:13a  “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Paul uses the greek word (English transliteration) ischuros (do) in this passage which means to be strong, or to have strength.

What about the phrase “all things?”  Can I as a Christian really do anything and everything?  I find many persons interpretation of this verse disturbing.  Can we as Christians perform any spiritual gift or go without food or water indefinitely.  How about overcoming one’s fear of bungee jumping?  Can we really do ALL things through Christ?

Interpreting and applying this verse demands one to look at the context of this verse.  Look at the previous 2 verses:

Philippians 4:11,12 “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Furthermore, look at Philippians 4:14.

“Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.”

What Paul meant was that he could do anything through Christ within the context of being content.  Paul didn’t mean that we Christians are supermen (women) who can ride “The Scream” at Six Flags Fiesta Texas or who can do things beyond one’s God-given ability (including spiritual gifts).  Not to mention a person’s physical limitation which includes sleep, food, water etc…  When Paul says “all things” he is speaking materially not physically.

So Paul is saying that I’m strong enough (ishuros) to go through anything because of Christ.  When times are tough, I can get through the situation because I lean on Christ to get me through it.

So, the bigger question for us with this verse is: “Are we content with the situation that God has put us in?”

Whether we are poor or rich or anywhere in between, let us praise and thank God for the situation that He has placed us in.  Furthermore, let us rely on God to get us through our difficult situations.