Philippians 4:13 — What Does It Mean?
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13, World English Bible
What's the verse right before it say?
This is one of the most quoted — and most quoted-out-of-context — verses in the Bible. The two verses immediately before it read: "I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound... I have learned the secret... whether well fed or hungry, whether having abundance or being in need" (Philippians 4:11–12). "All things" in verse 13 is Paul specifically referring back to contentment in both good and hard circumstances, not a blanket promise of success in any endeavor.
What does it actually mean?
Paul wrote this letter from prison (Philippians 1:13), which sharpens the point: he's not describing achieving his goals, but enduring genuinely difficult circumstances — including possible execution (Philippians 1:20–21) — with contentment he attributes to Christ's strength, not his own resilience.
Common questions about this verse
Does this verse promise success in sports, exams, or business?
Read in its original context, the verse is about contentment through hardship and plenty alike, not a guarantee of winning or achieving a specific goal — a common but context-free use of the verse.
Who is "Christ, who strengthens me"?
Paul consistently credits his endurance to Christ rather than personal willpower throughout his letters (see also 2 Corinthians 12:9), which is consistent with how this verse frames the source of his contentment.