Chapter 8: Explain Through Studying
There is no better way to understand The Way of the Wordsmith than by spending time in His Word. Even though the 66 books of the Bible were penned thousands of years ago, spanning many generations, the words remain just as applicable to us today as they were to the original audience. This is because the Bible is not an ordinary book; it is God’s living Word.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).
Nothing cuts to the heart of humanity like this two-edged sword. It provides clarity in the midst of confusion and hope in the midst of hurt. As we seek to grow in our ability to explain truth to others, there is no discipline that will aid us more in this effort than the discipline of reading and studying God’s Word. In Chapter 7, we discussed how meditation—particularly meditation on God’s Word—is vital for restoring a divided heart. Oftentimes, our inability to adequately explain our position to others stems from a divided heart, one that is not fully standing in or fully convinced of the truth we are sharing.
For the remainder of this chapter, we will take a closer look at the five questions outlined in Chapter 7 that we should ask of Scripture when we read it. When we ask these questions of the text, we open our minds and hearts to allow the Holy Spirit Himself to reveal the transformational truth buried within. Unfortunately, in our contemporary church culture, it has become commonplace to attribute meaning to Scripture, rather than allowing God to reveal the meaning of Scripture. With this in mind, we will practice developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word by slowing down and examining one of the most famous verses in all of the Bible:
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV).
This passage, often quoted by both celebrities and Sunday school teachers, is certainly a powerful and encouraging declaration. However, it is frequently referenced out of context, causing us to miss the message God truly intends to communicate. As followers of Jesus, who are learning The Way of the Wordsmith, we will slow down and dig for the treasure contained within these 10 infamous words. The context and historical information discussed throughout the remainder of this chapter can be accessed by anyone through a variety of trustworthy sources, including study Bibles and scholarly commentaries. Any investment you make in these materials to deepen your understanding of Scripture will be well worth the cost.
Question #1) Who is the author, and who are they writing to?
The Author’s Origin: Ultimately, God is the author of all Scripture, but He chose to work through over 40 different men across thousands of years to communicate His message. In the case of Philippians, this powerful letter was written by a man named Saul of Tarsus, more commonly known as the Apostle Paul. Paul’s upbringing was heavily influenced by traditional Jewish teaching, with intentional mentorship from a wise teacher named Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). We are first introduced to Paul in Acts 7, where we learn that he stood and watched as Stephen, a dedicated follower of Christ, was murdered for his faith in Christ. Chapter 8 describes Paul’s passionate mission to uproot the growing movement of Christianity, which he saw as antithetical to his Jewish faith. Incredibly, in the midst of his mission to halt the spread of the message of Jesus, Paul miraculously encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus, redirecting him onto a journey of living surrendered to Jesus, evangelizing nations, and eventually writing the majority of the New Testament.
The Author’s Situation: When you read confident words like “I can do all things,” it can be easy to imagine that the author is enjoying an easy season of life, marked by pleasant victories and minimal setbacks. However, when Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi, his situation was anything but relaxing and lighthearted. You may be surprised to discover that he wrote these words while in prison. The Roman government saw the growing church as a threat and was doing everything it could to stop the spread of Christ’s message.
The Recipient’s Origin: The church in Philippi was one of the first Christian communities established in Europe, founded by Paul during his second missionary journey. The city itself was a Roman colony in Macedonia, known for its strong Roman influence and loyalty to the empire. Philippi had played an essential role in financing Paul’s ministry, and one of the primary focuses of Philippians is Paul thanking the church for their support.
The Recipient’s Situation: Even though Paul’s words describe the church in Philippi as a strong, supportive, and faithful community, his warnings and encouragements indicate that they also faced challenges—mainly persecution from the Roman government (Phil. 1:29), incorrect teaching from false teachers (Phil. 3:2), and division within their community (Phil. 4:2-3). Paul’s words are intended to encourage and exhort them to find solace and hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even in the midst of these challenging circumstances.
Question #2) What was the culture like when the words were written?
Paul wrote Philippians around 60–62 AD from prison, likely in Rome. Philippi was a Roman colony with a strong pro-Roman culture, emperor worship, and social hierarchy. The Philippian Christians faced persecution, cultural pressure, and internal struggles, prompting Paul to encourage them to stay united, joyful, and focused on Christ.
When we zoom out and consider the broader cultural condition during this era, the situation in Philippi looked similar to many Roman territories throughout the region. Jesus had been crucified and resurrected only a few decades earlier, and the book of Acts describes His church growing like wildfire, while simultaneously being viewed as a threat to the Roman regime. As a result of this feeling of being threatened, many pockets of the church, just like in Philippi, were experiencing intense strife and strain due to opposition. Simply put, the culture of this era was marked by pervasive Roman influence, mixed with the rapid rise of the Christian faith.
Question #3) What do these words reveal about God's character and the "big picture" story of Scripture?
Armed with this critical background information on the book of Philippians, we can now develop a concise explanation of what these details teach and reveal to us:
True Meaning: Philippians 4:13, written by the Apostle Paul, carries deep significance as it was penned during his imprisonment, reflecting his unwavering faith despite hardship. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Paul’s radical encounter with Jesus transformed him into a devoted missionary who played a crucial role in spreading the Gospel and writing much of the New Testament. The church in Philippi, a Roman colony, faced persecution and cultural pressures, yet remained a strong supporter of Paul’s ministry, prompting his words of encouragement and gratitude. Amid a time of Roman dominance and opposition to Christianity, Paul’s message reminded believers that true strength comes from reliance on Christ, empowering them to persevere through all circumstances.
Do you see how powerful thoughtful study can be? Suddenly, through simple research, the words take on an entirely new meaning—far more significant than the shallow, self-help interpretation often associated with this infamous passage. So, what does this meaning reveal to us about God’s character and the “big picture” story of Scripture?
God’s Character & The “Big Picture” Story Of Scripture: These words reveal God’s character as one of redemption, strength, and faithfulness. He transforms lives, as seen in Paul’s radical conversion, showing that no one is beyond His grace. God empowers His people to endure trials, providing strength in weakness and hope in suffering. The "big picture" story of Scripture reflects His sovereign plan to advance the Gospel despite opposition, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in human frailty and that His mission will prevail through those who trust in Him.
Question #4) What do these words reveal about my character?
Similar to the Apostle Paul, I used to be at odds with the mission and message of Jesus Christ. By His grace, I was brought from death to life through faith in Him. Even though I have been saved and redeemed, I am far from perfect. I still sin and make mistakes, but those shortcomings are miraculously covered by His blood. No matter the prisons and problems I face, I can remain confident that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This does not mean that I can do anything I want; it means that if God wills it to be done in my life, He will divinely strengthen me by His Spirit to see it accomplished. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me, and He will work through me to fulfill His plan.
Question #5) How can I put these words into action?
So, how should these words influence how I live? First and foremost, they necessitate that I take a step back and remember that everything I have and everything I am is through Christ. I am nothing and can do nothing apart from His grace and empowerment, and He is the focus of my worship. Armed with this knowledge, I have the ability to look beyond the prison of my situation. In my pursuit of sharing His message with the world, I will face persecution outwardly, false teachers who try to trip me up, and internal distraction and division. However, in the midst of these realities, I will continue to encourage and partner with the local church, knowing that, even in death, I am still victorious in Christ.
Conclusion: Explaining Through Understanding
The power of God’s Word is undeniable, shaping our understanding, refining our hearts, and equipping us to stand firm in faith. As we have explored Philippians 4:13 in its proper context, we see that true strength is not about personal ambition but about reliance on Christ, even in suffering. The story of Paul and the church in Philippi reminds us that God’s truth is unchanging, offering clarity, hope, and endurance in every season. By meditating on Scripture and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we guard against misinterpretation and grow in our ability to communicate God’s message faithfully. Ultimately, the more we immerse ourselves in His Word, the more we can walk in The Way of the Wordsmith, explaining truth with wisdom and conviction.
