I CAN DO ALL THINGS (PART III)

“A Shipwreck, A Snake Bite, & A Church Is Formed”

By Akin Ojumu

There’s a sense in which church folks believe they can pick a word or phrase from the Bible and use it to push, preach, or promote any idea that we want. This sort of approach to Scriptures is called proof texting and it is not only erroneous, it is dangerous. 

The primary objective of this commentary series is to help my family, my friends, and folks who frequent my blog to avoid the pitfall of reading Scriptures devoid of its original historical, grammatical, canonical, and literary context. Unpleasant consequences tend to trail those who use Bible texts in a manner that divorces them from their proper context.

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 is one of the most popular, but often misquoted and misinterpreted, Bible verses in the Bible. Given its uplifting tenor, the popular appeal of this verse is quite understandable. Taken simply on face value without consideration for its context, it’s not surprising that all kinds of people, Christian and non-Christian alike, see it as a tonic for their soul.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong in reciting a text of Scripture to stay on course on an endeavor. Quoting a Bible verse for encouragement to never quit pursuing purpose is all well and good. It makes perfect sense that people would want to use a divine word to reassure themselves that they are equal to any task. 

Nevertheless, such a use of Philippians 4:13 does violence to the text itself. Co-opting Philippians 4:13 as a mantra for self-help, motivational, and empowerment purposes significantly corrupts the message of the verse. Those engaged in such elevate the reader of the text above (mere humans) the author of the text (the Holy Spirit).

Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Philippians under a harrowing set of circumstances. It was written during his first stint as a prisoner in Rome. Two years earlier, Paul had returned to Jerusalem from his third missionary campaign to deliver the contributions of Christians in Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia to the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, he was arrested and detailed by the Romans after nearly getting lynched by the diasporan Jews from Asia who had stirred up the people against Paul accusing him of blasphemy and violating Jewish customs among the gentiles. This was in fulfilment of the prophecy given to him a few days earlier by Agabus in Caesarea in the house of Philip the evangelist.

Acts 21:10-11

“‘While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

Having been denied his right of due process and fearing he would not receive a fair hearing in the hands of the Roman and Jewish authorities in Judea, Paul decided it was best to exercise his right as a Roman citizen by appealing his case to Caesar. His request was granted by Porcius Festus, the Governor of the region.

Paul’s journey to Rome itself, detailed in Acts 27:1-28:16, was as treacherous as his near-death experience in the hands of the Jewish mob. Under the guard of a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius, Paul along with 275 other people set sail for Italy. Not long into the journey, they were confronted by a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster which nearly sank the ship. For several nights the sailors battled the violent storm. At a point, they had to jettison the cargo just so they could save their own lives. 

Thus, they continued with the voyage through the storm, going without food for 14 days until Paul reassured them that none would perish in the storm because of God’s presence with them. 

Acts 27:33-37

“As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.”

Eventually, they arrived in Malta where they were shipwrecked. Now, you’d think Paul’s ordeal was over, now that they’ve made it safely to shore. But it wasn’t to be the case. Without even taking a moment of reprieve, God buffeted Paul with yet another peril, all for the purpose of His glory and the extension of His kingdom. 

While gathering sticks to make fire to warm himself, a viper, drawn to the heat, came out and wrapped itself around Paul’s hand. Sinking its long fangs into his flesh, it injected potent venom into Paul. To the onlooking native of the island who were watching this event unfold, what came to their mind was that Paul must, indeed, be a murderer pursued by an unrelenting bad karma. As far as they were concerned, for a man to have survived a long voyage through a violent storm and then escaped a shipwreck only to be bitten by a viper while on safe shores must mean he has done something to offend the gods.

Acts 28:1-5

“After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”

Well, what do you know? They waited for Paul to swell up, writhe in pain, and bleed to death, but nothing happened. So, being the fickle-minded lot that they were, they quickly changed their tune. To them, Paul was no longer a cursed man who has angered the gods, he was, in fact, one of the gods.

Acts 28:6

“They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”

True to type, Paul would not let an evangelistic opportunity go to waste. Quickly, he seized the encounter and used it to preach the Gospel. And great signs and wonders followed. Not only did Paul heal the father of the leader of the island, he, literally, banished sickness and disease from the island for the period he was there.

Acts 28:7-10

“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”

According to Christian tradition, it was this shipwreck in Malta and the subsequent events that ensued that led to the founding of the Church in Malta. This congregation became one of the oldest Christian communities in history. Publius, the chief man of the island, became the island’s first bishop.

Through Paul’s numerous travails, God was providentially working them all out for His own divine purpose. His beatings and near lynching in Jerusalem, the legal and political hanky-panky of Governors Felix and Festus that delayed his trial for two years, his appeal to Caesar, his treacherous voyage ending in a shipwreck in Malta, his being bitten by a viper, and the healing of Publius and the sick people of the island were all divinely orchestrated for the advancement of the Gospel and the salvation of sinners.

And Paul hadn’t even reached Rome yet. And, God willing, we’ll get there next time.