--> 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13 [CSB]
The reason for its abuse is a misconstruing of the Greek word [ἐν / en(G1722)] which is translated as “through” in Philippians4:13. The common misconception of Philippians4:13 is that this is a promise that one can do *all things* “>through< him{Christ}…” …construed to be suggesting that ALL THINGS we set our hearts to doing can be accomplished so long as we have faith in Jesus who will give us the strength to accomplish our goals. However, such a connotation of “through” in Philippians4:13 is incorrect.
First, take into consideration Paul’s context leading up to vs13. In vss11-12 Paul is recounting circumstances ranging from having an excess to facing severe destitution all of which he had experienced **as a result of serving Christ.** –And what he had learned, Paul tells us, is that whatever situation that he may find himself in, because he is serving >CHRIST’S WILL,< Paul knows that Jesus will provide both strength and material needs necessary to accomplish >CHRIST’S WILL.< Paul is making the point that only “through Christ” –meaning, only by abiding within Christ’s will- could Paul do “all things” because Christ would strengthen him; thereby enabling Paul to accomplish “all things” >for Christ sake< [i.e. not our own sake]. Hence, Philippians4:13 isn’t a promise that we will be given strength for pursuing self-inclined goals.
The second point of significance is regarding the lexical semantics surrounding the Greek word ἐν / en(G1722) which is translated “through” in Philippians4:13. This Greek word is a primary preposition denoting a *fixed* position. With this in mind, the connotation of “through,” as it should be construed in Philippians4:13, when it says, “I can do all things *through* Christ...” …is that so long as we are *fixed* in Jesus Christ [i.e. set upon pursuing His will as His ambassadors {ref. also 2Cor5:20}], we are promised to be provided whatever strength will be necessary for us to do “all things” to bring Him glory{compare also 1Cor10:31}.
Picture it this way… …picture a pipe as being symbolically representative of Christ. Now picture us as being water flowing “through” the pipe. Water gets from point A to point B “THOUGH” the pipe; so long as the water is “fixed”{ἐν / en(G1722)} within the pipe then it is “through the pipe{Christ}” that the water{us} can make it from point A to point B. So then, when Paul says that “through him{Christ}” we can accomplish all things; the analogy of water >through< the pipe best represents what the Greek word ἐν / en(G1722) means and grants us the true understanding of Philippian4:13--> When we are submissive to Christ; as water passing >through< a pipe follows the direction of the pipe; we can do all things >through< Christ who will also strengthen us to accomplish His will.Friday, October 12, 2018
PERHAPS THE MOST ABUSED VERSE
--> 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13 [CSB]
The reason for its abuse is a misconstruing of the Greek word [ἐν / en(G1722)] which is translated as “through” in Philippians4:13. The common misconception of Philippians4:13 is that this is a promise that one can do *all things* “>through< him{Christ}…” …construed to be suggesting that ALL THINGS we set our hearts to doing can be accomplished so long as we have faith in Jesus who will give us the strength to accomplish our goals. However, such a connotation of “through” in Philippians4:13 is incorrect.
First, take into consideration Paul’s context leading up to vs13. In vss11-12 Paul is recounting circumstances ranging from having an excess to facing severe destitution all of which he had experienced **as a result of serving Christ.** –And what he had learned, Paul tells us, is that whatever situation that he may find himself in, because he is serving >CHRIST’S WILL,< Paul knows that Jesus will provide both strength and material needs necessary to accomplish >CHRIST’S WILL.< Paul is making the point that only “through Christ” –meaning, only by abiding within Christ’s will- could Paul do “all things” because Christ would strengthen him; thereby enabling Paul to accomplish “all things” >for Christ sake< [i.e. not our own sake]. Hence, Philippians4:13 isn’t a promise that we will be given strength for pursuing self-inclined goals.
The second point of significance is regarding the lexical semantics surrounding the Greek word ἐν / en(G1722) which is translated “through” in Philippians4:13. This Greek word is a primary preposition denoting a *fixed* position. With this in mind, the connotation of “through,” as it should be construed in Philippians4:13, when it says, “I can do all things *through* Christ...” …is that so long as we are *fixed* in Jesus Christ [i.e. set upon pursuing His will as His ambassadors {ref. also 2Cor5:20}], we are promised to be provided whatever strength will be necessary for us to do “all things” to bring Him glory{compare also 1Cor10:31}.
Picture it this way… …picture a pipe as being symbolically representative of Christ. Now picture us as being water flowing “through” the pipe. Water gets from point A to point B “THOUGH” the pipe; so long as the water is “fixed”{ἐν / en(G1722)} within the pipe then it is “through the pipe{Christ}” that the water{us} can make it from point A to point B. So then, when Paul says that “through him{Christ}” we can accomplish all things; the analogy of water >through< the pipe best represents what the Greek word ἐν / en(G1722) means and grants us the true understanding of Philippian4:13--> When we are submissive to Christ; as water passing >through< a pipe follows the direction of the pipe; we can do all things >through< Christ who will also strengthen us to accomplish His will.
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