Paul the Apostle once said, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13) (NASB1995).
Philippians 4:13 is a verse that many know and love.
It is a popular verse, it’s on our walls, it’s on our desks, and it may even be in your gym.
It is known today as a verse of motivation. When we see it we are caused to want to do that great thing because of Christ’s strength.
So how can we properly understand this verse?
Some say this is the most misinterpreted verse in the Bible because of the way it is used.
Tim Tebow used this verse under his eyes when he played for the Florida Gators football team.
This is a great memory because it is a visual image about how we are to see God.
Our life should be a life where we trust God in all that we do.
Thursday may be Thor’s Day according to Ancient Norse mythology.
But our God is the God of every day.
God isn’t just the God of Sunday, he is the God of Monday, Tuesday, and the rest of the week.
There are three major different ways to understand the Bible. There is first, the Exegesis, which is, “What is the Author’s intended meaning.”
Then there is Christ-centric approach which asks, “How does this relate to Jesus?”
And finally there is the application approach.
This asks, “How can I apply this to my life?”
Each of these are important.
The historical meaning of Philippians 4:13 is that Paul was in prison and saying that whether he is rich or poor, he can be content in all of his life.
The personal application relates to all of the personal items we have added this verse to.
When Tebow went out to play with that verse it may not have been Paul’s intended meaning but the application is perfect.
He is saying that with Christ he can play great football.
I see nothing wrong with this.
Yet some may call it a misinterpretation.
I believe they miss the value of application.
See the Bible doesn’t tell us everything we are to do in this life.
It definitely could have every good deed.
But what the Bible does accomplish is that it sets out to lead us to the Holy Spirit.
During the times of Moses they had stone tablets.
Today, because of Jesus’ work on the Cross, we have the Holy Spirit on the inside of us.
So, when we don’t know what to do or what to say, we can use God’s wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus never said, “brush your teeth,” but Godly wisdom will remind us of the importance of having a healthy smile.
Jesus never said, “wear deodorant when you go to church camp,” but I pray every time I go that every youth will follow the Holy Spirit and put on deodorant. Application is vital when reading the Bible.
The items that we buy and have do not take away the meaning of Philippians 4:13.
These are an addition to our life because this was Paul’s heart, he wanted us not to live our life in our own strength.
We are called to live our lives and do great things through Christ.
When you are faced with a difficult circumstance, remind yourself that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
