In the last section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes one of his most famous statements about doing all things through Christ who gives him strength. When we read this verse in context, we find that God doesn’t just strengthen Paul in Christ through some isolated, mystical, other-worldly experience. He uses other Christians, like the Philippians, to supply Paul’s needs in order to strengthen him. This has application for today, because God is still in the business of using cross-formed people—friends and loved ones—as channels of Christ’s comfort and help.
