Philippians #070 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 4:12-13
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
5709 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37918
http://www.LearntheBible.org

Support Our Ministry: https://secure.learnthebible.org/antiochbaptistchurch.html

Philippians #070 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
Philippians 4:12-13 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

B. The Broadness of His Education (Philippians 4:12)

1. The ups and downs
a. I know how to be abased (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 10.1" class="scriptRef">2 Corinthians 10:1, 10; 2 Corinthians 11:7, 23-28; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
b. I know how to abound (Proverbs 28:20; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 8:7; Philippians 4:18; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3).
(1) Can be in material provisions (Philippians 4:18)
(2) More importantly, can be spiritual blessings (Proverbs 15:17)
2. The places and circumstances
a. The places—“every where”
b. The circumstances—“in all things”
3. The spectrum of contentment
a. Full or hungry
b. Abounding or suffering need

C. The Boldness of His Education (Philippians 4:13)

1. The ability of his boldness—“I can do”
a. Ability versus permission
(1) Can or may in English
a) The word can is used to denote the ability to do something.
b) The word may denotes permission to do something.
c) At times, the word may is used in other cases when politeness is of great importance.
(2) Can or may in scripture
a) Can
i) “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” (Job 42:2)
ii) “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” (John 3:4)
iii) “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)
b) May
i) “And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:” (Genesis 3:2)
ii) “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
c) Note: The division in scripture is not quite as clear as the English rules would suggest. Context should always be used to determine the correct usage.
b. There are no excuses
(1) Using the context around Philippians 4:13 it is obvious that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.
(2) We can never suggest that God did not provide a way for us to “do all things.”
(3) Even when we are tempted to do otherwise…“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
2. The broadness of his boldness—“all things”
a. Misconceptions
(1) Philippians 4:13 is one of the most misapplied scriptures.
(2) Some have suggested that when the Bible says “I can do all things through Christ” it speaks of accomplishments.
b. The context
(1) The biblical truth being taught is not strength for accomplishment, but strength for contentment and endurance.
(2) In other words, “I can _____________” (Philippians 4:12)
(3) Whatever God allows to come my way, or whatever God’s present will for my life is, I can do that. I can be hungry if that is God’s plan to feed others with spiritual food. I can be sick if the Lord will use my sickness to bring health to a soul. I can be lonely and forsaken by all if the Lord will use it to bring others to fellowship with Him like they never knew before. “I can do all things through Christ.”
3. The source of his boldness—“through Christ”
a. It is Christ that enables us to endure the various extremes of life.
b. It is Christ that continually enables us to endure the extremes of life.
c. Paul had no doubt where his strength originated.
4. The strength acquired—“which strengtheneth me”
a. Over the years, people have spent a great deal of time arguing over what the word which refers to.
b. In all the fog of war, people miss the plain truth.
(1) “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
(2) Because of that, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to about...I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12)
(3) “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13).
(4) All of this strengthens me (Romans 5:1-6; James 1:2-12).