Christ’s strength
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Misquoted or taken out of context:
All Scripture has one primary interpretation, but many applications. However, this verse is used by some to say if we have enough faith or strong enough faith that they should be rich or healthy all the time. This use is not only unsupported by Scripture but is way out of context in which Paul wrote it. In the previous verse Paul spoke of varying situations he faced – from poverty to wealth, learning to be content in each of these.
Content
Our English word “content” can bring up thoughts of indifference and mild temperament. Modern usage tends to give the word a negative connotation, as though such an attitude has little ambition or drive. However, the Greek word God chose for this passage is composed of the pronoun for “self” and the noun for “sufficiency”. Both in Scripture and secular Greek literature, the word “content” demands an ability to conquer whatever circumstances may oppose your purpose or goal and to continue to go on in spite of difficulties. The context here tells us that Paul experienced the full spectrum of ups and downs of life (Acts 14:11-19; Gal 4:15-16; 1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 6:4-5; 2 Cor 10:10; 2 Cor 11:24-29). Paul learned through all this to be self-sufficient (content). Not a passive “I don’t care” attitude, but a powerful force of self-sufficiency.
One problem that people have with this verse is that they look only at the physical and circumstantial issues and have not learned that God provides grace sufficient for our situation. In 2 Cor 12:9 God tells Paul that His grace will be sufficient for anything -- "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." The resources of God are enough for us to be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5). Our self-sufficiency rests on the eternal fact that God is at work in us (Phil 2:13).
I can do all
The “do” of Paul’s statement is the prevailing power of God in which and by which he and we minister (2 Cor 3:5-6). The early church had experienced stunning growth in converts as it preached and testified of the resurrected Christ. But, this was due primarily to the fact the word of God grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:20).
Our fight is a spiritual battle against spiritual forces against which we are no match by our self. It is only through the power of Christ and His empowerment in us that we are able to do all things and win the victory. When Paul says he could do all things through Christ, Who strengthened him, he was thinking beyond the human necessities and into the realm of spiritual warfare.
In like manner we can be confident of strength from God when we labor in His field.