When we turn to Jesus Christ, we are able to do things we never dreamed were possible. Or survive things we wish we never had to face.
Philippians 4:11–13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Try different image
Conditions of Use Privacy Policy
© 1996-2014, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates
- Bible
Settings
Red Letter
Cross References
Strongs Numbers
Footnotes
Verse Numbers
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Images for Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:13 Meaning and Commentary
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things
Which must not be understood in the greatest latitude, and without any limitation; for the apostle was not omnipotent, either in himself, or by the power of Christ; nor could he do all things
that Christ could do; but it must be restrained to the subject matter treated of: the sense is, that he could be content in every state, and could know how to behave himself in adversity and prosperity, amidst both poverty and plenty; yea, it may be extended to all the duties incumbent on him both as a Christian and as an apostle, as to exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and men; to take the care of all the churches; to labour more abundantly than others in preaching the Gospel;
and to bear all afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions for the sake of it; yea, he could willingly and cheerfully endure the most cruel and torturing death for the sake of Christ: all these things he could do, not in his own strength, for no man was more conscious of his own weakness than he was, or knew more of the impotency of human nature; and therefore always directed others to be strong in the Lord, and in, the power of his might, and in the grace that is in Christ, on which he himself
always depended, and by which he did what he did; as he adds here, through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions leave out the word "Christ", and only read "him"; and so the Alexandrian copy and others; but intend Christ as those that express it: strength to perform duty and to bear sufferings is in Christ, and which he communicates to his people; he strengthens them with strength in their souls, internally, as the word here used
signifies; by virtue of which they can do whatever he enjoins them or calls them to, though without him they can do nothing.
Philippians 4:13 In-Context
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Related Articles
The King James Version is in the public domain.
(13) I can do all things.--Properly, I have strength in all things, rather (according to the context) to bear than to do. But the universal extension of the maxim beyond the immediate occasion and context is not inadmissible. It represents the ultimate and ideal consciousness of the Christian. The first thing needful is to throw off mere self-sufficiency, to know our weakness and sin, and accept the salvation of God's free grace in Christ; the next, to find the "strength made perfect in weakness," and in that to be strong.
Through Christ which strengtheneth me.--The word "Christ" is not found in the best MSS.; it is a gloss, perhaps suggested by 1Timothy 1:12, where we have exactly the same phrase, "Christ Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me." The same word is used in Ephesians 6:10, "Be strong (strengthened within) in the Lord." In this sentence we have the world-wide distinction between the Stoic and the Christian. Each teaches respect for the higher humanity in the soul; but to the one that humanity is our own, to the other it is "the Christ within," dwelling in the heart, regenerating and conforming it to Himself. The words of St. Paul are but a practical corollary to the higher truth (comp. Philippians 1:21) "To me to live is Christ." In this consciousness alone is any thoughtful teaching of "self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-distrust," intelligible and coherent.
Verse 13. - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me; rather, as R.V., in him that strengtheneth me. The best manuscripts omit the word "Christ" in this place. In him. It is only in Christ, in spiritual union with him, that the Christian is αὐτάρκης, self-sufficient. His presence gives strength to do and suffer all things (comp. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
I can do
ἰσχύω (ischyō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2480: To have strength, be strong, be in full health
and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.
all things
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
through
ἐν
(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
[Christ] who
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's
3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
gives me strength.
ἐνδυναμοῦντί (endynamounti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1743: To fill with power, strengthen, make strong. From en and
dunamoo; to empower.
Jump to Previous
Able Christ Christ's Gives Power Strength Strengtheneth Strengthening Strengthens
Jump to Next
Able Christ Christ's Gives Power Strength Strengtheneth Strengthening Strengthens
Links
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Philippians 4:13 NLT
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Philippians 4:13 NASB
Philippians 4:13 KJVPhilippians 4:13 BibleApps.com
Philippians 4:13 Biblia Paralela
Philippians
4:13 Chinese Bible
Philippians 4:13 French Bible
Philippians 4:13 Catholic BibleNT Letters: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ (Philipp. Phil. Php.)