One of the most popular and well-known Bible verses is Philippians 4:13. It’s a particular favorite of many Christian athletes, and it appears on numerous Christian Instagram bios. But Philippians 4:13 is also one of the most misused and abused verses of the Bible. Christians often take it out of context and use it in a way that attempts to manipulate God’s power to serve their own wants and desires. But when we look at the context of this popular and misused Bible verse, we will see that its true message is far more comforting and encouraging.

Let’s first look at the context of the book as a whole. Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in the city of Philippi. The book is known as one of Paul’s prison epistles (fancy word for letters) because he penned it while he was imprisoned in Rome (Philippians 1:7, 13). Earlier in his ministry, Paul had started the Philippian church (Acts 16), so the Philippian believers had sent gifts to him in prison (Philippians 4:10, 14-18). Paul wrote to them to thank them for their gifts, update them on his condition, and encourage them in their faith.

In the final chapter of Philippians, Paul is thanking the church for the great concern they have shown him. However, he adds a caveat to his thank you. While he rejoices to the Lord for the gifts they had sent, Paul comments that he did not need any of it. He 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.” Philippians 4:11-12, ESV

In his life, Paul had times of abundance and plenty. But he also had times of need and hunger. There is no doubt that Paul was struggling in prison as he awaited a possible execution (Philippians 1:21-24). He was surely “brought low” and “facing hunger” at the time he was writing. Yet, he did not need Philippi’s gift. Why? Because Paul had learned the secret to facing hunger and need. And what was this secret? Contentment. Paul had learned to be content in any and every circumstance he found himself in. And how had he learned this? He explains in the popular, misused verse-

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Paul trusted in Jesus Christ, and he knew that Jesus would never leave him when times were tough and would give him the strength and endurance he needed to persevere through trials. Because Jesus strengthened him, Paul knew he could do all things, persevere through all trials, and be content in all circumstances. He could be brought low and abound, he could face plenty and hunger, he could face abundance and need because of the contentment he had in Christ.

So, what does this verse mean for us today? In her book Chasing Perfect, Alisha Illian writes,

“through Christ, we have the capacity to be satisfied in all circumstances. Jesus gives us the strength to be content. Regardless of our external circumstances, we can have internal peace. Even if your spouse dies, your children rebel, your boss fires you, your health fades, or your dreams crumble, you can have inner joy.”^[1]

Philippians 4:13 does not teach us that we can do anything we put our mind to, as long as we have Jesus on our side. This verse teaches us a far greater truth. We’re going to face hard times in our lives. But no matter what happens, we can trust that He will give us the strength we need to endure until the end, and we can find true joy, true peace, and true contentment in Him.

Next time you read Philippians 4:13, remember that the focus of the verse is not on you and what you can do. Instead, the focus is on Jesus, what He has already done for you, and what He will continue to do for you until your time on this earth is done. In hard times, may you read this verse and find comfort in what the Savior has done for you. May you find joy, peace, and contentment in the midst of your trials. And may you sing with the psalmist-

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

^[1] Alisha Illian, Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better (Eugene: Harvest House, 2020), 156.