Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Note
- 13 NA, SBL, NE, and WH in the One who gives me strength. BYZ and TR in Christ who gives me strength.
About this passage
Philippians 4:13 is from a letter the apostle Paul wrote to the Christian community in Philippi, in northern Greece. He writes from imprisonment, and tradition places this in Rome, though some scholars propose Ephesus or Caesarea.
The verse follows Paul's thanks for a gift from the Philippians. In verses 11 and 12 he says he has learned to be content in every circumstance, whether he has little or much, and verse 13 says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. In that setting, all things refers mainly to facing both hardship and abundance.
The verse is often quoted by athletes and others as encouragement for any goal. Many readers think the wider context points to endurance and contentment, and translations differ slightly in how they word the phrase through him who strengthens me.
Questions
What does all things mean in Philippians 4:13?
In context, Paul has just spoken of being content with little or with plenty. Many interpreters therefore read all things as facing every circumstance, hardship and abundance alike, though the phrase is also applied more widely.
Where was Paul when he wrote Philippians?
The letter says he is in prison. Tradition places this in Rome, but some scholars suggest Ephesus or Caesarea, and the question is not settled.