Sufficiency Through Christ
SUFFICIENCY THROUGH CHRIST
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
Have you learned the secret of being content in any situation you are in—in abundance or need?
The letter draws to a conclusion as it had opened, with a further acknowledgement of the gifts he has received from Epaphroditus (4:18f.), and an expression of deep affection for the believers at Philippi. Here, perhaps more than elsewhere, the letter has many small touches which convey Paul’s involvement with the life of this church and his meaningful use of language drawn from a pagan environment but bridled for the service of Christ.
Paul has great joy that the deep feelings of the Philippians for him have “blossomed” once more (4:10). The reason for his joy is that they had found an opportunity to help him make an offering to God (4:18)! He cannot regard their gifts as supplying something necessary which he lacked because he has not been aware of any need (4:11-12). Employing language which his readers would appreciate, Paul states that he has attained what the philosophers have been seeking. He is “self-sufficient,” refusing to be led astray either by wealth or by poverty. Changing the wording, Paul asserts he has been “initiated into the mystery” of facing every condition of existence—to be full or to be hungry, to have abundance or nothing. These appeals to familiar thoughts in any great Greek city have a certain playfulness to them. But the apostle quickly qualifies his affirmations by a reference to Christ which has no parallel among the philosophers or those initiated in the mysteries: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (4:13). Paul’s self-sufficiency is not Stoic apathy or cynical resolution to the realities of human life but a firm reliance on the Lord who always takes thought for his needs (see also 4:19). The joy, confidence and sufficiency which he experiences flow from his vital union with Jesus Christ and enable the apostle to rise above all outward circumstances.