Verse a Prayer

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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Context and meaning

Philippians 4:13 reads: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The line shows up on athletes' shirts and captions of achievement, but the setting of Philippians 4:13 is quite different — and more useful. Paul writes from prison, thanking a poor church that sent him help, and the strength Philippians 4:13 promises is strength to go through circumstances, not strength to win contests.

In the verses immediately before, Paul explains what he learned: "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it... I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound... both to be filled and to be hungry." It is out of that learning that the famous sentence is born.

So "all things" does not mean "anything I want", but "any circumstance I am in". The strength promised is not for always winning; it is for going through scarcity without despair and abundance without corruption.

Read this way, the verse remains one of the most encouraging in the Bible — it just encourages in a more realistic way: it does not promise that hunger will not come, it promises company and capacity inside it.

Related verses

  1. but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

    Isaiah 40:31
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  2. He 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.

    2 Corinthians 12:9
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  3. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

    Philippians 4:6-7
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This verse appears in

StrengthIsaiah 40:31, Philippians 4:13 and 6 more Bible verses about strength: the full text, the reference and what each one means.

Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), public domain. "World English Bible" is a trademark of eBible.org. ebible.org/web/