Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Colossians 1:11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Ephesians 3:16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;John 15:7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Isaiah 45:24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Historical Context
Modern misuse makes 4:13 a prosperity-gospel prooftext or motivational slogan. Context corrects this: Paul 'can do all things' specifically means endure abasement, hunger, need (v. 12) with contentment (v. 11). The 'all things' are appointed circumstances, not arbitrary ambitions. Christ's strengthening enables patient endurance, not worldly success. Paul wrote this from prison, facing possible execution—hardly triumphal circumstances. His strength was spiritual, enabling faithful suffering, not escape from suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How is this verse commonly misapplied, and what does context (vv. 11-12) reveal its true meaning to be?
- What 'things' is Christ currently strengthening you to endure with contentment?
- How does reliance on Christ's strength (endynamounti) differ from self-reliance or passivity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με, Panta ischyō en tō endynamounti me)—Panta ischyō ("I can do all things")—not unlimited power for any desire but strength for whatever circumstances God appoints (context: contentment in v. 11-12). En tō endynamounti me ("in the One strengthening me")—present participle shows continuous divine enabling. Christ is source; Paul is conduit. Endynamoō ("to strengthen, empower") appears in Acts 9:22 (Paul's post-conversion empowerment). This verse concludes contentment teaching (vv. 11-13): self-sufficiency (v. 11) learned through extremes (v. 12) by Christ's strength (v. 13). It's the epistle's most memorized verse but often misapplied—it's about contentment amid hardship, not triumphalistic success-theology.