I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Parallel translations
- KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- BSB I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- NASB I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
- NLT For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul can face every circumstance through Christ who strengthens him. His contentment and endurance flow from Christ's empowering, not his own resources.
Overview
This well-known verse is, in context, the secret behind Paul's contentment in plenty and want (4:11-12), not a promise of unlimited personal success. The 'all things' are the varied circumstances of life, met by the strength Christ supplies. It points away from self-reliance to dependence on the indwelling power of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Isa 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- 2 Cor 12:9–10He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Col 1:11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
- Eph 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
- Isa 40:29–31He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
- Eph 3:16that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
- John 15:7If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
- 2 Cor 3:4–5Such confidence we have through Christ toward God;
- John 15:4–5Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
- Isa 45:24They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’” Even to him shall men come; and all those who raged against him shall be disappointed.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 4:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.