This article will shed additional light on the verse to give us greater understanding. When it comes to our Christian walk, the life and letters of Paul are proof enough that Paul does not condone a careless lifestyle.
Many people are not familiar with the Word, possibly only drawing their conclusions by the scriptures they see promoted publicly. Even so, Paul exemplified a consecrated life that demonstrated deep devotion. He willingly and intentionally committed himself to the service of Christ and did not entertain thoughts of defeat. His own realization of limitations due to being a mortal man only caused him to rely more on the strength of Christ.
Paul was taught and well educated by Gamaliel, a leader of the Pharisees, being very zealous of his learning. When he converted to Christianity, we can surmise his zeal for knowledge and truth in Christ were equal to his previous learning, probably even more so. Paul demonstrated the Spirit of God within him when he had a thorn in his flesh and asked God to remove it.
Yet not as I will, but as you will. Paul shares his own experience in 2 Corinthians , with some form of a trial that is not completely identified:. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Grace is that divine influence on the heart or enabling power of the Spirit that God gives us enough of to survive any trial and tribulation that comes our way.
Many believers have discovered this personally and they have realized their flesh is no comparison for the power we need from Christ in order to overcome. Philippians is on par with other writings of Paul, who modeled consistency in his Christian walk.
This scripture by itself can be encouraging in the sense that through Jesus, we can accomplish things. It does no injustice to the Word since the Bible speaks of impossibilities becoming possible when our Savior is part of the equation. While that is an angle with a truthful thought, it is not the meaning of this particular scripture. When read with the surrounding scriptures, we see the greater picture of what Paul is referring to.
Paul knew what it was to go through some things. He gives us a summary of his hardships in 2 Corinthians Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move.
I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote to the Philippians. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the Lord can give us divine courage and protection to conquer our obstacles in our fiery furnace of affliction.
Like Ruth and Naomi, the Lord can grant us courage, faith, wisdom, and solutions to overcome our challenges and difficulties. What then? He often does this by making our burdens feel lighter through divine spiritual gifts that expand our perspective, empower our understanding, alter our attitude, and provide patience, comfort, and peace.
A second aspect of divine strength we can receive is power to resist temptation and overcome sin. Masterful paintings that have been damaged often go through a careful process of cleansing years of dirt and dust buildup, healing rips in the canvas and breaks in the frame, and restoring lost pigment. That is not all, however. There is also an extensive conservation aspect of the cleansed, healed, and restored art: The curators add layers of protective varnish, control temperature and natural light exposure, install security warning systems, and go to great lengths to shield the artwork from future damage.
Similarly, Jesus not only cleanses, heals, and restores us from the damaging effects of sin, but his grace also grants daily power to guard and protect us against future damaging disobedience. Elder M. If you will but humble yourselves and turn to Them, then Their grace, Their enabling power, can not only help you throw off the chains of sin but actually turn your weaknesses into strengths. A third aspect of the strengthening power of Christ is a power that is given to us to do good works beyond our natural capacities.
It is a power granted to do miracles, in every sense of the word see Alma This gift to do and be good beyond our natural capacity is perhaps most evident in church callings and assignments.
Ironically, or perhaps purposefully, most of us are called to serve in church positions for which we are utterly unqualified. No formal training in religious pedagogy? No problem, come teach the Gospel Doctrine class! How can we have this type of contentment?
By turning our attention from what we think we need to the only thing that truly matters:. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. Jesus gives us the strength to see beyond our present circumstances and to trust in Him to provide everything we truly need. We can face any situation and be content no matter what happens because of one important fact:.
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus died in our place and came back to life as a true Conqueror, and all He accomplished gets credited to our account. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The apostle Paul had no design to urge the Philippians to give more but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter.
Through Christ, we have the grace to do what is good, and through Him, we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by Him, let us do all things for Him, and to His glory! In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest Acts , encouraging local churches via letters written from prison.
It does, however, attempt to encourage the Philippian church, which was facing opposition from the outside as well as a fair amount of strife and division from within. As someone living under house arrest at the time, he was perfectly situated to address these topics with both authority and grace.
We know from the book of Acts that Paul had visited the church in Philippi during his second missionary journey Acts 16 and again on his third journey through the region Acts Even after he departed, Paul continued to enjoy a warm relationship with the Philippians, who were diligent in providing financial support to the apostle during his ministry.
In fact, upon learning that Paul had been imprisoned in Rome, the church in Philippi sent Epaphroditus to Rome with financial aid for Paul. Epaphroditus later returned to Philippi with a letter from Paul to the church.
But why is this important to the context and understanding of Philippians ?
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