Most of us have seen them before—popular Bible verses printed on coffee mugs, t-shirts, keychains, or bumper stickers. These verses often get quoted by well-meaning Christians who want to offer encouragement or to validate their own goals with Scripture. What many Christians are not aware of is that these verses are often taken out of context, and don’t mean at all what people think they mean. These verses typically get applied to situations that are completely irrelevant to the actual meaning of the text.
One of the verses that is commonly misused this way is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse is often used to bolster someone’s faith when they are facing a task that seems daunting: I can pass this exam…or get this job promotion…or get out of debt…because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Sometimes this verse is used as if it were some kind of incantation that will guarantee accomplishments that are nothing short of ridiculous: I’m going to become the most famous singer who ever lived…I’m going to design an awesome video game and become richer than Bill Gates…I’m going to jump off a building and fly like a bird…I know I can because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
The truth is, Paul’s words were not intended to empower himself, the Philippians, or any of us to become famous, rich, or able to fly like Superman. Passing an exam, getting a promotion, or getting out of debt are reasonable goals, but this verse doesn't apply to them, either.
To properly understand the meaning of this or any other verse, we need to read it in its original context. Let’s look more closely at what Paul was writing about in his letter to the Philippians:
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:10-13 [emphasis added]
From reading just three previous verses, we see Phil. 4:13 has nothing to do with personal achievements, increasing wealth, or improving social status. Paul was not referring to an ability to accomplish or obtain anything, or even to change his circumstances through a relationship with Christ. It’s about being content no matter what your circumstances are. Paul’s earthly circumstances were nothing to be admired. Here’s his own account from 2 Cor. 11:24-28:
"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches."
These are not the words of a man with lofty goals or someone who believed he could accomplish whatever he desired. Had that been true, he surely would have avoided these hardships. Yet despite all his trials and sufferings, he was able to remain content in all of his circumstances through the strength he received from Christ. He's talking about contentment, not accomplishment.
It may seem like a trivial concern, but using verses outside of their original context is both careless and misleading. Without proper context, the true meaning of a verse is easily lost and can cause people to believe something about the Bible that isn't true. The intended purpose for which a verse was included in the Bible can be distorted and result in false doctrine. Each book of the Bible was meant to be read as a whole, like a letter or an email you might receive from a friend. The original text had no section headings, chapters, or numbered verses.
The true meaning of Scripture is derived from the author, not determined by the reader. A verse can't mean something different now than it did when it was written. (More on this in a future blog.) Here's a good rule of thumb to follow: Any time you see a verse by itself, put it back in its original context and read at least a paragraph before and a paragraph after the verse in question. Reading the entire chapter or book is even better for getting the proper context and understanding the true meaning of any verse.
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