A Philippians 4:13 Christian

In the last couple years, I have seen a new classification of Christians. It is someone I call a "Philippians 4:13 Christian." We all know that famous verse: "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" (NIV). I'm seeing it on an increasing number of Twitter bios and Instragram posts. It can be found on t-shirts, cell phone cases, mugs, keychains, and it's even made it's way on to Tim Tebow's eye black.

For a clear example of how this verse is yanked out of its context and misused to promote a propserity Gospel, see Joel Osteen's Today's Word from January 21st, 2013: "Most people tend to magnify their limitations. They focus on their shortcomings. But scripture makes it plain: all things are possible to those who believe. That’s right! It is possible to see your dreams fulfilled. It is possible to overcome that obstacle. It is possible to climb to new heights. It is possible to embrace your destiny. You may not know how it will all take place. You may not have a plan, but all you have to know is that if God said you can...you can!"

My wife and I enjoyed one of her favorite activities yesterday, snake hunting. She has yet to catch a snake this week and so I was determined to find her a snake and make her day. According to the logic above, all I needed to do was keep quoting Philippians 4:13 to myself and boom! I'll find a snake! Either that's not what this verse means or God is a liar in telling me I can do things when I can't.

Owner of the new clothing line based on this verse, "True Strength," Aaron Simpkins affirms that's not how this verse works: "I hope people don't just take it as, 'Let me throw up a prayer real quick then I'll get this 1200lb squat.'" If this is not how this verse works, then what does it mean?

Let's take a look at its context, the verses leading up to it. In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul says, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Paul is trying to share the secret of being content in any circumstance, whether in abundance or need.

When he gets to 4:13, he explains the secret in this more literal translation from the Greek, "In all circumstances I am strong in Him who strengthens me." His point is that whatever circumstance he finds himself in, he has strength and contentment in Christ.

Compare this to the Stoic philosophy of his day, which said, "Man should be sufficient unto himself for all things and able by the power of his will to resist the force of circumstances." We need to be careful to not use this verse to promote a Stoic philosophy of sufficiency in ourselves. The point of this passage is self-insufficiency.

Compare this the materialist philosophy of our day, which says, "Never be content; always want more. If you see something you want, you are strong enough to go get it." We need to be careful to not use this verse to promote materialism and discontentment. The point of this passage is that Christ does not fuel your discontentment, but rather fills it.

This passage is a declaration of dependence on Christ. It is an admission that anything I do, I do in the strength of Christ. I can be content in any situation because I am content in Christ. Therefore, it is also a confirmation that everything I do is done for the glory of Christ, not my own. Paul is reiterating this message also found in the following verses:

• "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31

• "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-10

• "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." Ephesians 6:10

• "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy." Colossians 1:11

• "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him...Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:17, 23-24

• "I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service." I Timothy 1:12

The truths of this passage are close to those found in the first chapter of Philippians: "It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." If Philippians 4:13 ranks among your favorite verses, that is just fine. In fact, that's great! But make sure you are using it to declare Christ as your all in all and your life as a sequence of moments for His glory.