Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Eisegesis: 

God will provide me the strength to win my sporting event, exams, get over a break-up, workout and be victorious in my purpose.

Exegesis:   

This passage is not about achieving things; instead, it is about being content in all circumstances. 

Unfortunately, many people take this verse out of context and use it to reinforce a “victorious” or “super-Christian” mentality, often out of a self-centered ambition and not out of a desire to obey Christ.

The whole point of the passage is not to showcase the strength or achievements of Paul but instead, it clearly shows that the strength of Christ in Paul’s life was manifested in his capacity to be content.

Paul spoke about being content even though he was in prison and that he was only able to handle it because of the strength of God that sustained him. 

Paul was not saying, “I will break out of this prison, because God’s strength is behind me.” Instead, he was saying, “I will endure, and be content because God’s strength is behind me.”

Simply reading the surrounding verses puts what Paul is saying in context. 

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV)

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Being content is not something that comes naturally to mankind.

Paul had to learn through experience how to be content, and he was only able to achieve this through the strength of Jesus Christ.

In his letter, Paul further reminds us that his contentment was not only theoretical. He actually lived it. Paul experienced being financially “in need” as well as financially “well-off.”

The Greek term for content means “to be self-sufficient” or to be “satisfied”, and the phrase “through Christ who strengthens me” means to “put power in”.

Because believers are in Christ, we are infused with His strength to help us sustain through life. Therefore, this verse isn’t a call for us to go out and achieve all things we set our minds to; rather, it is a reminder to be more content.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Real contentment for the Christian comes supernaturally; it comes through Him who strengthens us.