Philippians 4:13 is often quoted in regard to a promise of success in anything we may undertake, But is this what it means? This is the question I will answer in this post.

Here is the Bible quotation to which Philippians 4:13 refers: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.

Now you may be asking, What does the phrase “Philippians 4:13” mean? The actual phrase Philippians 4:13 is an example of what is known as Bible notation and it is a reference to a Bible quotation as we have seen.

For as it is, the Bible is a collection of books. And each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. So, the Bible notation “Philippians 4:13” refers to the book of Philippians, the 4^th chapter, and the 13^th verse of Chapter 4.

Who is Christ?

Philippians 4:13 refers to Christ, But who is Christ? Well, to back up a bit, this is the same as asking, Who is God? So, I will first explain who God is and then you will be able to grasp who Christ is.

It turns out that on reading the Bible, you will find that “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family made up of three Persons. So, God is indeed a Person or, rather, Persons, and not a thing or things.

And God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. That is to say, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others. In fact, the love in God’s heart is the only definition of true love in the universe.

And, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. For there has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Furthermore, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

And the names of these three Persons in the Godhead are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 51:11.

Therefore, with this understanding of who God is we now know who Christ is. And a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,023 years ago. So, Jesus and Christ are one and the same divine Person.

Again, a question arises, Why was Christ born as a man? Continue reading and I will explain.

Humanity’s Need of Christ

Philippians 4:13 implies that we need Christ in order to be able to do anything. Why is this so?

The answer is that when God created the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, they had a character of perfect love just like God’s character. In that state, they had the God-given privilege of eating from the tree of life which ensured that they would live forever.

However, Adam and Eve fell into evil and wrongdoing, which is sin, through the temptations of an angel named Satan. So, here is where Philippians 4:13 comes in. How?

Satan and Philippians 4:13

First of all, Who is Satan? Well, Satan, whom God originally named “Lucifer” (Isiah 14:12), sinned in heaven by rebelling against God. And Satan caused some of the other angels to likewise sin by rebelling against God.

But notwithstanding God’s every attempt to turn Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) away from sin, they refused and these angels became permanently fixed in their wicked ways. So, God cast Satan and his evil angels out of heaven pending God’s Judgment Day. “For the wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God].” Romans 6:23.

Thus, Philippians 4:13 cannot apply to Satan and his evil angels since there is no hope that they can once again come to have a character of perfect love.

Adam and Eve and Philippians 4:13

When Adam and Eve sinned, their character was thereby changed from one of perfect love to one of selfishness.

But Adam and Eve did not become permanently fixed in the ways of evil. Therefore, there was hope that they could once more come to have a character of perfect love and so Philippians 4:13 applied to Adam and Eve.

For God says of Adam and Eve, “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ [y]our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

That is, Philippians 4:13 implies the promise of eternal life from God as we will see.

The Descendants of Adam and Eve and Philippians 4:13

All of humanity are descendants of Adam and Eve and they have inherited Adam and Eve’s disposition to sin.

Therefore, God says, “All [human beings] have sinned, and come short of [of fully displaying] the glory of God [which is God’s character of perfect love].” Romans 3:23.

Hence, for every human being, “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ [y]our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

And so, Philippians 4:13 applies to every human being, giving the promise of eternal life.

The Spiritual Condition of Humanity and Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 says that Christ strengthens, implying that human beings are “without strength.” Romans 5:6.

Does Philippians 4:13 mean then that Christ gives us physical strength? No, not at all! Human beings are naturally without spiritual strength as I will explain.

Human beings are naturally such as “having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Ephesians 4:18.

That is to say, “they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4:22. This then is the natural spiritual condition of human beings, in that they are morally weak, they have no moral strength. And so, we now see that Philippians 4:13 refers to spiritual strength, that is to say, moral strength.

Now in order to understand the significance of Philippians 4:13, it is necessary to fully grasp humanity’s spiritual danger.

Human beings naturally “walk [live according to]…the vanity [the sinfulness] of their mind.” Ephesians 4:17.

“For they…are after the flesh [they live according to the sinful nature and so] do mind [care about] the things of the flesh [of the sinful nature and, therefore,] to be carnally [worldly] minded is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but to be spiritually minded is [eternal] life and peace.” Romans 8:5, 6.

“Because the carnal [worldly] mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God [to God’s law of love], neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh [they that live according to the sinful nature] cannot please God.” Romans 8:7, 8.

Human beings then cannot “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil [Satan], who are taken captive by him [by Satan] at his [Satan’s] will.” 2 Timothy 2:26.

This then is the extent of humanity’s desperate spiritual condition and, hence, humanity’s need of Christ to which Philippians 4:13 refers.

“Through Christ” Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 says that we can do all things through Christ. Why through Christ? What does this mean?

Well, first of all Philippians 4:13 refers to the fact that “neither is there salvation [which is God’s saving of individuals from eternal death (annihilation) and instead giving them eternal life] in any other [than Christ]: for there is none other name [than Christ] under heaven given among men [among humanity], whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Again, we ask, Why? The answer is as God says, “For all the promises of God [to humanity] in him [Christ] are yea, and in him Amen [in Him, So let it be], unto the glory of God by us [human beings].” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

So then, when Philippians 4:13 says through Christ it refers to the salvation which God has promised the human race by means of Christ Himself. We will now, therefore, examine Christ’s role in this promised salvation.

God’s Predestination of Humanity and Philippians 4:13

The salvation to which Philippians 4:13 refers is stated by God as follows: “For whom he [God] did foreknow [which is every human being], he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image [the character of perfect love] of his Son [Christ], that he [Christ] might be the firstborn [the first in rank] among many brethren [among many people].” Romans :29.

“Moreover whom he [God] did predestinate, them he [God] also called [to be like God in character]: and whom he [God] called, them he [God] also justified [also declared righteous having forgiven their sins and enabling them to live according to God’s ways of love]: and whom he justified, them he also glorified [gave a spiritual body like Christ’s own glorified body instead of their natural body].” Romans 8:30.

Therefore, since Philippians 4:13 states all these blessings come through Christ, we can wholeheartedly speak the words of praise in the Bible which God puts in our mouths.

Some of these words of praise are: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us [the human race] with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he [God] hath chosen us [the human race] in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we [the human race] should be holy and without blame before him [God] in love.” Ephesians 1:3, 4.

So, we see then that Philippians 4:13 refers to the fact that before God created the human race, God had a plan of salvation to meet the possible, terrible emergency of humanity falling into the ways of evil.

What Christ’s Life Accomplished for Humanity and Philippians 4:13

Christ was born as a baby boy on earth named Jesus, But what does this have to do with the salvation to which Philippians 4:13 refers? Everything in fact!

Philippians 4:13 points to the fact that Jesus Christ could say of Himself in truth, “I [Christ] am counted with them that go down into the pit [as the whole human race which is naturally destined to be annihilated by God]: I [Christ] am as a man that hath no [moral] strength [just like all the other human beings].” Psalm 88:4.

Nevertheless, Christ as the only One, who in a mysterious way was 100% God and 100% human at the same time, could also say of Himself in truth, I am “Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit offered himself without spot [without sin] to God [as a merciful sacrifice for the human race].” Hebrews 9:14. How is this so? In other words, to what does Philippians 4:13 refer?

The answer is, “for what the law [God’s law of love] could not do [in the natural human being], in that it was [morally] weak through the flesh [because of human beings’ sinful nature], God sending his own Son [Christ] in the likeness of sinful flesh [in the likeness of sinful human beings], and for [because of] sin, condemned sin in the flesh [in the human body]: That the righteousness of the law [of God’s law of love] might be fulfilled in us [human beings], who walk not [do not live] after the flesh [according to the sinful nature], but after [according to ways of love of] the [Holy] Spirit.” Romans 8:3, 4.

This then is the essence of what Christ’s life on earth accomplished for humanity, and is that to which Philippians 4:13 refers.

What Christ’s Death Accomplished for Humanity and Philippians 4:13

Now, Philippians 4:13 also points to the fact that “we see Jesus [Christ], who was made a little lower than the [holy] angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he [Christ] by the grace of God [by the unmerited favour of God] should taste [experience eternal] death for every man [for every human being].” Hebrews 2:9.

Specifically, then Philippians 4:13 means: “For it became [was fitting for] him [Christ], for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons [and daughters of the human race] unto [the] glory [of a character of perfect love], to make [Christ] the captain of their salvation perfect [in love] through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10.

So, Philippians 4:13 is saying, “Forasmuch then as the children [the human race] are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Christ] also himself likewise took part of the same [flesh and blood]; that through death he [Christ] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil [Satan]; and deliver them [the human race] who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage [to sin and Satan].” Hebrews 2:14, 15.

“For verily [truly] he [Christ] took not on him[self] the nature of [holy] angels; but he [Christ] took on him[self] [the nature of] the seed [of the descendants] of [a godly man named] Abraham.” Hebrews 2:16.

In other words, Philippians 4:13 is referring to the fact that, while Abraham’s character was transformed by God to one of perfect love, this transformation was not true of all of Abraham’s descendants because they refused to allow God to give them a change of character.

Thus, Christ’s own holy nature was mysteriously blended with humanity’s sinful nature for the purpose of testing Christ’s moral strength. And since, given this circumstance, Christ never sinned, Christ gained total victory over all sin. This is what Christ’s death accomplished for the human race.

Christ’s One Time Sacrifice and Philippians 4:13

As we explore all the various implications of Philippians 4:13, we find that “when we [the human race] were yet without [moral] strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly [human race].” Romans 5:6.

And what Philippians 4:13 refers to is that “this man [Christ], after he [Christ] had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever [on behalf of the human race], sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his [Christ’s] enemies be made his footstool.” Hebrews 10:12, 13.

“For by one offering [of Himself] he [Christ] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified [those people who have allowed God to transform them from selfishness into a character of perfect love].” Hebrews 10:14.

So, Philippians 4:13 refers to Christ’s once-for-all-time death on behalf of the human race.

Reconciliation to God Through Christ and Philippians 4:13

In addition, Philippians 4:13 refers to the fact that “God commendeth [demonstrated] his love toward us [the human race], in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [for the human race].” Romans 5:8.

And as Philippians 4:13 implies, “Much more then, being now justified [declared righteous by God] by [the merits of] his [Christ’s] blood [that was shed], we [human beings] shall be saved from [God’s] wrath [fierce anger] through him [Christ].” Romans 5:9.

“For if, when we [the human race] were enemies [of God], we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son [Christ], much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his [Christ’s holy] life [on earth].” Romans 5:10.

Therefore, Philippians 4:13 points us to the fact that this reconciliation of the human race to God “is now made manifest [made evident] by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished [eternal] death, and hath brought [eternal] life and immortality to light through the gospel [which is God’s plan of saving the human race from annihilation by Him, God, and instead giving them eternal life].” 2 Timothy 1:10.

“Christ Which Strengtheneth Me” Philippians 4:13

We come now to the Philippians 4:13 statement that Christ strengthens us. As was said before, Philippians 4:13 is not talking about physical strength but about spiritual strength.

Here we should understand that God’s plan of salvation requires that Christ Himself have spiritual strength in order to give human beings of His own spiritual strength.

So, in light of Philippians 4:13, we will now look to see if Christ does have spiritual strength to impart to human beings.

The Spiritual Strength of Christ and Philippians 4:13

The strength to which Philippians 4:13 refers is spiritual strength and, more specifically, it is moral strength to keep an individual from sinning.

Thus, as Philippians 4:13 states Christ could say of Himself in truth, “I [Christ] have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his [the Father’s] love” (John 15:10) “for I [Christ] do always those things that please him [the Father].” John 8:29.

And the Father confirmed this when “lo a voice [came] from heaven, saying, This is my [the Father’s] beloved Son [Christ], in whom I [the Father] am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17.

Further, as Philippians 4:13 states, Christ could say of Himself in truth, “I [Christ] and my Father are one.” John 10:30. And thus it is true of both Christ and the Father that “far be it from God, that he [God] should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he [God] should commit iniquity [do wickedness].” Job 34:10.

Just as Philippians 4:13 implies, Christ is He “who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from [unlike] sinners.” Hebrews 7:26.

Hence, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, Christ is known as “the [moral] Strength of Israel” (1 Samuel 15:29), that is to say, the moral Strength of “the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16. And the Israel of God is made up of all the people across the world who have allowed God to give them a change of heart from selfishness to perfect love.

Prayer and Philippians 4:13

As we have seen, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, Christ has moral strength which He can give to human beings, But do all human beings automatically receive this moral strength from Christ?

Well, as a clarification to Philippians 4:13, God says, “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity [to sin and Satan].” Jeremiah 29:13, 14.

To further clarify Philippians 4:13, God also says, “Seek ye the LORD [God] while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6. “For the LORD [God] searcheth all hearts [of the human race], and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him [God], he [God] will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him [by becoming permanently fixed in your evil ways], he [God] will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9.

We see, therefore, that Philippians 4:13 is not saying that every human being automatically receives moral strength from. Only those who sincerely seek God will receive it.

So, Philippians 4:13 means that we can receive moral strength from Christ if we seek Him, But how do you seek Christ who is God?

Well, we primarily seek God through prayer which is a two-way conversation with God. Now God rarely speaks audibly to us, but nevertheless we can “hear” God speaking to our hearts through His words in the Bible. Moreover, God has supplied holy words in the Bible for us to say to God, in addition to speaking our own words to God.

So, to receive the moral strength to which Philippians 4:13 refers, pray along these lines found in the Bible: “I have declared my ways, and thou [God] heardest me: teach me thy statutes [of your law of love].” Psalm 119:26.

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts [of your moral instructions]: so shall I talk of thy [God’s] wondrous works.” Psalm 119:27.

Likewise, Philippians 4:13 calls upon us to pray to God saying, “Strengthen thou me [morally] according unto thy word [the Bible].” Psalm 119:28. “Let thine [God’s] hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts [your moral instructions].” Psalm 119:173.

“Order my steps in thy word [according to the Bible]: and let not any iniquity [any wickedness] have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133.

And, having prayed to God with your whole heart, believe that God will bless in accordance with Philippians 4:13. Therefore, say confidently of yourself, “I will run the way of thy [God’s] commandments, when thou [God] shalt enlarge my heart [with your ways of love].” Psalm 119:132.

Turning Away from All Sin and Philippians 4:13

Praying to God sincerely is not enough for us to receive the strength to which Philippians 4:13 refers. For God says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you [eternal] life and [eternal] death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose [eternal] life, that…thou…may live [eternally].” Deuteronomy 30:19.

Here we see that, in essence, Philippians is calling us to make a decision, namely, to choose eternal life.

In other words, Philippians 4:13 calls upon us to obey God’s words which urge us, saying, “Turn ye not unto idols [which is anything or anyone higher in our affections than God]…I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:4. “And turn ye not aside [from me, God,]: for then should ye go after vain [empty] things, which cannot profit nor deliver [from sin]; for they are vain [worthless].” 1 Samuel 12:21.

“Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all…[my] law [of love].” 2 Kings 17:13. “Turn ye unto him [God] from whom the children [all human beings] have deeply revolted.” Isaiah 31:6.

Further, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die [eternally (be annihilated by me, God)]?” Ezekiel 33:11.

Therefore, Philippians 4:13 implies as “saith the LORD [God], turn ye even to me [God] with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart [be heartbroken before me for your sins]…and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” Joel 2:12, 13.

In other words, be found among those people who have “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

So, the promise of Philippians 4:13 is that “thus saith the LORD [God]…Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD [God]…and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD [God].” Zechariah 1:3.

Humility and Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 also means that, not only are we to pray and turn away from all sin, we are take to our hearts God’s warnings: “A man’s [A person’s] pride shall bring him low: but honour [from God] shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23. That is to say, “whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased [by God]; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted [by God].” Matthew 23:12.

Therefore, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, “he [God] saith, God resisteth [opposes] the proud, but giveth grace [God’s unmerited favour] unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil [Satan], and he will flee from you. Draw nigh [near] to God, and he will draw nigh [near] to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:6-8.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6) “lest [in order to prevent any possibility that] being lifted up with pride…[you] fall into the condemnation of the devil [Satan].” 1 Timothy 3:6.

If we do this, then it is that the promises implied by Philippians 4:13 will be realised: “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart [to have perfect love], thou wilt cause thine ear to hear [them].” Psalm 10:17.

Hear God amplify Philippians 4:13 when He says, “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his [God’s] words against…[the wicked human race] and humbledst thyself before me, and didst…weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD [God].” 2 Chronicles 34:27.

“Then thou [God] shalt say, There is lifting up [exaltation by God]; and he [God] shall save the humble person [from annihilation by God Himself].” Job 22:29.

Furthermore, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, God says, “For thus saith [God] the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite [of those who are remorseful because of their sins] and [of a] humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble [in my ways of love], and to revive the heart of the contrite ones [of those who are remorseful because of their sins to live according to my, God’s, ways of love].” Isaiah 57:15.

So then, Philippians 4:13 means that “when he [or she] humbled himself [or herself], the wrath [fierce anger] of the LORD [God] turned from him or [her], that he would not destroy him [or her] altogether.” 2 Chronicles 12:12. That is, because they “humbled …[themselves] for the pride of …[their] heart[s]…the wrath [fierce anger] of the LORD came not upon them.” 2 Chronicles 32:26.

Teachableness and Philippians 4:13

In accordance with Philippians 4:13, God says of Himself, “Good and upright is the LORD [God]: therefore will he [God] teach sinners in the way.” Psalm 25:8. And God says that we should acknowledge that, “Wherewithal shall a young man [any person] cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” Psalm 119:9.

Thus, what Philippians 4:13 calls for on our part is to have a teachable spirit. We should say to God in all sincerity, “Teach me, O LORD [God], the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law [of love]; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:33, 34.

“Teach me good judgment and [the] knowledge [of God]: for I have believed thy commandments.” Psalm 11:66. “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy [God’s] statutes.” Psalm 119:68.

And Philippians 4:13 implies that what God teaches us, we should obey so that we can say of ourselves in truth, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy [God’s] testimonies [the Bible]. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy [God’s] commandments.” Psalm 119:59, 60.

Then as Philippians 4:13 implies, it will be true of us that “thy [God’s] word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee [God].” Psalm 119:11. “Thy [God’s] word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path [to direct me in God’s ways of love].” Psalm 119:105. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130.

And if all this is true of us, Philippians 4:13 promises that it will also be true that “my tongue shall speak of thy [God’s ] word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Psalm 119:172. “I will meditate in thy precepts [your moral instructions], and have respect unto thy ways.” Psalm 119:15. “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou [God] hast taught me.” Psalm 119:101, 102.

That is, Philippians 4:13 promises that God will give us an obedient heart so that we can sincerely say, “Through thy precepts [your moral instructions] I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:104. “I hate vain [worthless] thoughts: but thy law [of love] do I love.” Psalm 119:113. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts [your moral instructions] concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128.

The result of teachableness in accordance with Philippians 4:13, will be that we will say wholeheartedly, “I will delight myself in thy [God’s] statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:16. “Thy testimonies [the Bible] also are my delight and my counsellors.” Psalm 119:24.

“I have rejoiced in the way of thy [God’s] testimonies [the Bible], as much as in all riches.” Psalm 119:14. “The law of thy mouth [your law of love] is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Psalm 119:72. “O how love I thy law [of love]! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97.

Receiving Christ’s Strength and Philippians 4:13

We now come to how we receive the strength from Christ as Philippians 4:13 states we can. First of all, we must seek God sincerely through prayer, be humble, and teachable.

And s0, for emphasis, God repeats the promise of Philippians 4:13, saying, “The LORD [God] will give [moral] strength unto his people.” Psalm 29:11. “The God of [the] Israel [of God] is he that giveth strength and [the] power [of love] unto his people. Blessed be God.” Psalm 68:35. “Surely, shall one say, in the LORD [God] have I righteousness and strength.” Isaiah 45:24.

That is, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, God says, “My grace [The blessings of my, God’s, unmerited favour] is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness [in your acknowledgement of our spiritual weakness].” 2 Corinthians 12:9. And Christ is He “who is able even to subdue all things [all sin] unto [through] himself.” Philippians 3:21.

Here then is the realization of the promise of Philippians 4:13, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you [as a human being] through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us [human beings] all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him [God] that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye [as human beings] might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4.

In other words, Philippians 4:13 promises that they “shall receive the blessing from the LORD [God], and righteousness from the God of…[their] salvation” (Psalm 24:5) in that “the love of God is shed abroad [poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.

For God says, in amplification of Philippians 4:13, “A new heart…will I give you, and a new spirit [new mind] will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my [Holy] spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27.

Therefore, in accordance with Philippians 4:13, let us say with joy, “God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine [of teaching] which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” Romans 6:17-20.

This then is how, as promised in Philippians 4:13, we receive moral strength from Christ.

“I Can Do All Things” Philippians 4:13

We come now to the ultimate promise of Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things.

If all that was said before is true of us, then in accordance with Philippians 4:13, we will be able to obey God’s commandments: “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Leviticus 19:18.

That is, Philippians 4:13 means that we can obey God’s command, which says, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty [which is God’s law of love].” James 2:12.

Hence, Philippians 4:13 implies,” that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints [all those whose hearts God has transformed from selfishness to perfect love] what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19.

And this too is what Philippians 4:13 means, that is, “owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law [of love]. For this [law of love from God], Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other [of God’s] commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law [of love].” Romans 13:8-10.

Here then is the fulfillment of the promise of Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things, specifically, all things that are good according to God’s ways of love. Therefore, God says, “Blessed are they that do his [God’s] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the [holy] city [of God].” Revelation 22:14.

Related Blog Posts

The Saving of Israel
Human Nature and Holiness
God and Our Struggle with Sin
Many are Called, But Few are Chosen
How to Walk in the Light
The Need of God’s Help

For Further Study

• Bible Study Principles
• Victory in Christian Warfare
• Know Your Bible in 50 Days: A Guide to All 66 Books

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