"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
— Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Philippians 4:13 is one of the best-known verses in the New Testament, and it is often quoted on its own. This page gives the verse, the passage it closes, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about strength and Bible verses about contentment. For the apostle who wrote it, see Bible verses about Paul.
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The verse
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) reads: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
The King James says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The Greek verb behind "gives me strength" is endynamoō (G1743), meaning to make strong or to empower.
The passage around it
Paul wrote Philippians while he was "in chains for Christ" (Philippians 1:13). In chapter 4 he thanks the church at Philippi for a gift they sent him. Then he explains how he lives with or without help: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Philippians 4:11-12).
Verse 13 is the secret he just mentioned. The "all this" in the NIV points back to those situations: hunger and plenty, need and abundance.
What the verse is saying
The verse is about contentment, not about winning at whatever you try. Paul is saying Christ gives him strength to be faithful and at peace in any circumstance, including prison and want. The strength comes from Christ, not from Paul himself.
That makes the verse a comfort for hard seasons. It does not promise that every goal will succeed. It promises that Christ's strength is enough for whatever situation you are in. For more on that, see Bible verses about endurance and Bible verses about peace.
Questions people ask
What does Philippians 4:13 say?
In the NIV it says, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." The KJV says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
What is the context of Philippians 4:13?
Paul is writing from chains about contentment. Just before, he says he has learned to be content whether well fed or hungry, in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:11-12).
Does Philippians 4:13 mean I can do anything?
Read in context, it means Christ gives strength to stay content and faithful in every situation. It is a promise of his strength in need and plenty, not a guarantee that every plan will work out.
Why does the KJV say all things and the NIV say all this?
The Greek says "all" without a noun. The NIV's "all this" ties it to the situations Paul just listed. The KJV's "all things" is a more literal rendering.
Who wrote Philippians 4:13?
The apostle Paul wrote it to the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned (Philippians 1:13). See Bible verses about Paul.
