Chuck Larsen

The Daily Bread reports: The Hope College Women’s basketball team had made it to the national playoffs. The final game saw Hope 20 points behind with 10 minutes left to play. The team remained calm and began to narrow the gap. Then with just 5 seconds remaining, a 3 point basket tied the game. The final score was decided by Dina Disney. With no time left on the clock, she sank two free throws to win the game. When television and press interviewers asked her how she stayed calm under so much pressure, Dina said she recited to herself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

As John Butler observes in his commentary on the book of Philippians, “Seldom, if ever, is this text quoted in its context. Paul is not speaking of ability to do just anything. He is specifically speaking here of having the ability to adjust to any income or material situation. This is where the text needs more application than in any other area.” I wouldn’t limit this text to just material situations, but rather to being in want or having abundance. It could be in other areas than just finances. The general words used could mean something like “I can be content when I’m healthy and I can be content when I’m sick.” It might mean “I can be content when I’m at work at hard labor and I can be content when I’m at leisure.” The point is that Paul has learned the secret of being content in every and all circumstances in life.

Anthony Ash also comments on the context of Philippians 4:13 in his commentary. He says, “This verse is often misapplied, though with good intentions. Paul’s statement must be understood in context.” He explains that the phrase “all things” “is not a universal statement, suggesting that anything in all of life can be done by God’s power. Of course that power is without limit, but there are things God did not and does not intend to do, such as removing Paul’s thorn in the flesh. We must see that Paul spoke here of the secret of contentment.” I’m glad the Hope College Women’s basketball team came back for the win and that Dina made the winning basket but would she have the same thought if she had lost? Paul says, “I can be content when win, and I can be content when I lose.” Paul learned that God’s grace was sufficient for him even with a thorn in the flesh or while in prison. It’s not my circumstances that determine my contentment. Gary Weedman concludes, “The source of joy and contentment is Jesus Christ, and not in what mankind can or cannot do for him.”

After thanking the Philippians for their generosity, Paul explains that money isn’t his primary concern. He’s grateful for their gift but Paul finds peace and contentment with or without financial support. His gratitude is not based on their provision of something for him that he couldn’t have done without. He is confident that God will meet his needs all along the way. He doesn’t stress out or fret about his physical needs. He says in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” He had learned that his life was more than what he ate or wore or where he lived.

I think of all the specifics in my life today; I need windows replaced because of the hail storm back in June. But, I’ll be content with or without them? I’m still wrestling with a broken arm that just doesn’t want to heal. But, I’ll be content even if it doesn’t heal? There are numerous other little concerns in my life and I’m sure you can make a list of your own. I have to admit that I’m not quit as spiritual as Paul. I still find myself wrestling with what I want and what I feel I “need.” Paul is primarily concerned about spiritual things. I’m still wrestling with my fleshly desires. I take some encouragement that Paul’s maturity with regards to his circumstances is something that wasn’t natural to him any more than it is natural to me and you. It’s something that comes with experience.

Notice in the verse that says “I have learned…” It didn’t come natural. He’s been a believer for over 30 years after being radically converted on the road to Damascus. He’s been through much pain and suffering as he embarked on three previous missionary journeys. He’s been beaten. He’s been stoned and left for dead. He’s been shipwrecked and imprisoned already for several years in Caesarea as well as Rome. It took a lot of trials to teach Paul contentment. Richison observes, “Contentment is not something that comes naturally. In his early years he grew up in the lap of luxury. At that time he had not learned contentment. At this point in his life he is needy; yet he is content. ‘Contentment’ is not automatic. Paul ‘learned’ contentment in the School of Hard Knocks. Courses in that school are difficult. We think university is tough. It is not nearly as difficult as God’s Graduate School. Can we say with the Psalmist, ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted (119:71)?”

Paul wanted the two women that he addressed by name to come to an agreement by entreating each to embrace the mind of Christ. Understanding human nature, he calls for “a true companion” to assist with settling the dispute between them and restoring the peace in the church at Philippi. Philippians 4:3 says, “Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Paul has already focused some attention on the need for unity in the church at Philippi. He knows how crucial it is to the health and growth of the body and the individual members of the body. When unity goes the calling and purpose of the individual parts as well as the whole is unhealthy and cannot function as God intends. Thus Paul calls on help from others to work out the difficulties between the two parties. We don’t know who the “true companion” that Paul addresses is. There are numerous suggestions, but regardless of your view we cannot miss the main point that Paul wants the two who are at odds with each other to resolve their differences and get back on the same page.

As members of a family we live in homes with others. As members of a society or neighborhood we share community services and utilities with others. As members of the Body of Christ we live with others and share wonderful spiritual truths with each other. Although we see much dissent and confusion around us we are to live differently in the church. As believers we must love side by side. We must learn side by side and we must live side by side. We are all saved by grace through faith. The ground before the cross is perfectly level on which we all stand. No one is better than anyone else. No group or individual can claim to better than anyone else. But pride in our personal opinions and preferences always undermine the purpose and work of the church and destroy the joy God intended. In the next verse Paul exhorts us to “rejoice in the Lord always.” We won’t have much true joy peace, harmony and unity in our homes or churches.