Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

CONTENTMENT
Having been incarcerated in Rome, he was at a time of great need certainly. Even so, Paul had expressed joy and contentment. Before this, he has had his fair share of hardships in life in Palestine, experiencing five floggings, three beatings, a stoning, three shipwrecks, and more. [see 2 Cor 11:23-29]

Contentment is neither natural nor automatic. It’s a learned attitude and skill. God, in His sovereignty, does allow us to experience all the various difficulties in life in order to produce this fortitude. Contentment couldn’t be produced by any other means.

Hence, there must be the willingness as student to endure through the school of contentment. There is a deliberate choice to be content, in the power of Christ. Paul had gone without food at times and had been given plenty of food at other times; lived with much and with little. He had experienced hunger and thirst, was without friends, and many more.

Despite his frequent need, and harsh treatment, Paul did emphatically affirm, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”[v.13] That is, he has his confidence that God will allow him to endure under all kinds of circumstances.[ see 2 Cor 3:4; 7:16; 8:22; 10:2; 11:17; Gal 5:10; Eph 3:12; 2 Thess 3:4] His affirmation is consistent with the gospel teachings that ‘nothing is impossible with God’ (Matt 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37). Job 42:2 declares that ‘God can do anything’. Paul did assert also that if God is for us, who can be against us, didn’t he? (Rom 8:31) A perspective that is found also in Jeremiah 32:17, that is, ‘nothing is too hard for the Lord.’

Let’s not apply Paul’s statement, however, out of context. He specifically was referring to the ability of a Christian to endure hardships and persecution. Despite well-meaning use of this verse, this does not warrant that a Christian is empowered to accomplish any task he wants simply because he is a believer.

Clearly, what Paul had expressed here has a direct relation with what James had encouraged us to do in the midst of trials. James says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.’[Jas 1:2-4]

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