In Philippians 4:13, Paul writes, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ Paul wrote those words while he was in a situation of confinement. He had been imprisoned for his faith, and when he wrote the letter to the Philippians he was waiting for the result of the verdict of his court case. We know that he was released from that first Roman imprisonment, but he did not know that at the time he wrote this letter.
In verse 13, he informs the Philippians that he was focused on things in the present. We can see that from the word ‘strengthens’. If he had been thinking about previous experiences, he would have used a past tense, and if he had been writing about possible upcoming activities, he would have used a future tense. Paul elsewhere in the letter does mention past and future events, but in this verse he is highlighting what God does for him in the present. Paul’s now experience was divine strengthening.
Although he was in confinement, he knew he had to engage in spiritual activities. For example, we know he had a large prayer list – he often mentions the people he prayed for. How could he continue with such praying? He did so because the Lord strengthened him to do so.
At that time, Paul also composed letters to Christian churches and individuals. We know that he wrote Ephesians and Colossians during this period in prison, although we don’t know the exact time. But we can be sure that he wrote other letters as well – in Colossians he refers to a letter he wrote to the church in Laodicea. He would need strength to write his letters to those who needed his guidance and help.
Moreover, Paul also had to maintain a good witness. There was at least one person with him all the time – the guard who was on duty for the day. In a literal sense, Paul was being watched every minute of his day. He knew he had to behave in a Christlike manner in order to have credibility with the soldier. And he could do so because Christ gave him strength.
What can we do in our current isolation? Like Paul we can receive strength to pray. Like Paul, we can receive strength to be good witnesses if there are other people with us. Like Paul, we can send encouraging words, and we can do so far quicker that he could, whether by email or telephone. Imagine the use that Paul would have made of them!
