Rooting Path · How to Read the Bible · Lesson 3 of 7 · Every Verse Has a Home · about 18 min
Paul, writing in chains to the church at Philippi, thanks them for the gift they sent:
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
Phil 4:10–14 · WEB
The last lesson was about observation: slowing down to see clearly what the text says. This lesson widens the view by one circle: what is going on around this verse.
Many Christians know this verse by heart: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Before an exam, a match or an interview, people often write it on a card. It is true; but what was it originally saying? To answer that, we need to put it back in its home.
The first circle: the verses around it. Right before it, Paul says: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it,” (Phil 4:11) and also: “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.” (Phil 4:12) So the ‘all things’ in ‘I can do all things’ include being hungry and being in need. Paul is not saying that through the Lord he can accomplish anything; he is saying that whether he has plenty or is in need, through the Lord he can be content.
The second circle: the whole letter. Where was Paul when he wrote it? He says himself: “my bonds are in Christ” (Phil 1:13). He wrote the word ‘content’ in chains. Read this way, the verse is no longer a slogan for success, but a lesson learned in need by a man in chains.
The third circle: to whom, and why. This section opens with: “now at length you have revived your thought for me.” (Phil 4:10) The church at Philippi had sent Paul a gift through Epaphroditus (Phil 4:18); Paul is saying thank you. Even as he says he has learned to be content, he also says: “However you did well that you shared in my affliction.” (Phil 4:14) His joy did not depend on the gift, yet he treasured this love that shared his suffering.
So when you read a verse, you can draw three circles: What are the surrounding verses saying? In what situation was the whole book written? To whom was it written, and why? Once the three circles are drawn, the meaning of the verse stands firm. Put back in its home, the verse does not shrink; it gains weight: it does not say everything will succeed, but that whether we succeed or fail, through the one who strengthens us we can stand, and can be content.
Paul urged his young co-worker Timothy to be a workman “properly handling the Word of Truth” (2 Tim 2:15). The right meaning is often hidden in the context.
These three verses are often quoted on their own: Jer 29:11, Matt 18:20, Rom 8:28. Choose one, read a section before and after it in your Bible (five or six verses on each side), then answer the questions below.
For reference: Jer 29:11 is part of a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to those taken captive to Babylon (Jer 29:1); the verse before says: “After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you” (Jer 29:10)—a promise that would take a long time, not an instant change of fortune. Before Matt 18:20 comes teaching about a brother who sins against you and how to win him back (Matt 18:15–19); the ‘two or three’ are first of all people agreeing together in that matter. Around Rom 8:28 the talk is of suffering and groaning: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time…” (Rom 8:18); ‘all things’ includes suffering. All three verses are true; put back in their homes, they are read more accurately.
Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
2 Tim 2:15 · WEB
This week read Philippians 4 from start to finish, then the first 14 verses of chapter 1: see what situation the man who wrote the word ‘content’ was in.
Just this one thing. When you do it, tap that day below; if you don’t, that’s all right—try again next week.
Good. Tap each day you do it this week:
Putting down roots is not something you do alone. Find a brother or sister you trust (ideally of the same sex) and talk this question over this week:
How did you used to understand “I can do all things” (Phil 4:13)? What is different after this lesson?