In fact, “all” is a good place to start.
What is the “all things” that Paul says he can do in Jesus?
Here’s a clue: Look at the context of the passage … not the one we give it; the one it already has. It’s pretty easy. Just read the two verses before v. 13:
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.
Do you see what “all things” Paul is talking about?
He tells us in verses 11-12. The “all things” is, through Jesus’ empowerment, learning to be content in whatever situation Paul finds himself.
This isn’t some verse we can claim for divine approval of our personal goals, be it on the ball field or in the boardroom. On the contrary, this verse is better applied in context when we lose the big game, miss out on the big account, or endure some other hardship which tempts us to find our ultimate contentment in something or someone outside of Jesus.
In that biblical context, Phil. 4:13 is absolutely true! I can [be content in any circumstance] through Christ who strengthens me. Context matters!
That’s why if your “all things” is having success in anything you fancy, then I hate to break it to you, but you can’t do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
But if it’s finding contentment in any and every situation, then you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Context matters!
So next time someone asks you what you think this or that verse means, tell him it really doesn’t matter what you think. You don’t give Scripture its context; it already has one. To miss this important point is to risk reading and applying the Bible incorrectly.
Someone once said that a text without a context is a pretext. Good students of the Bible seek to discover a passage’s context so they can know what God says instead of falsely mirroring what we would like for him to say.
