Contentment

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…Philippians 4:13

Some people want to take Paul’s statement and make it a promise of superman style faith. That is, with Christ, I can do anything. Some apply this to prayer. That is, anything I ask for in the name of Jesus, God will do. When this doesn’t happen, we become discouraged; lose faith, even. 

Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:13 is best understood in context.

Verse 12: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Paul is talking about being content in our circumstances, verse 11. Paul is talking about praying about everything rather than worrying about things, verses 6 & 7. Paul is talking about having a mind led by the Spirit of God, verses 8 & 9.

Verse 8: Finally, brethren, whatever, things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. That is, we are to be spiritually minded and not carnally minded. 

Verse 13 is not a promise. It is a result of contentment in and with Jesus Christ.