King James Version

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Passage study

What situations has Paul learned to face through Christ?

Original notes prepared with AI assistance · 2026-10-10 · Owner approved for publication

Begin with Philippians 4:10–14. The notes below distinguish observations in the passage from comparisons to test.

In the text, Paul thanks the Philippians for renewed care, then says he has learned to be content in whatever state he is in. Verse 12 names both sides of several contrasts: being abased and abounding, being full and hungry, and having abundance and suffering need. The statement in verse 13 follows those contrasts. Verse 14 still calls the Philippians’ sharing in his affliction a good thing.

A reading to test is that Christ’s strengthening enables Paul to face the conditions he has just named, rather than guaranteeing success in any goal a reader chooses. This preserves both hunger and abundance in the paragraph. It also keeps endurance from becoming an excuse to ignore someone’s need: Paul’s confidence in verse 13 does not cancel his gratitude for help in verse 14.

Why compare these passages?

These two selections have an explained purpose. The imported links that follow have their own source ordering.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Paul recounts asking for a thorn in the flesh to depart, then receiving an answer about sufficient grace and strength made perfect in weakness. Compare that answer with strength amid the changing conditions in Philippians. Both passages allow weakness or need to remain in view.
Keep the settings distinct: Second Corinthians describes a particular affliction and request; Philippians describes learned contentment in both plenty and need. The thorn is not identified in these notes, and its details should not be assigned to Paul’s situation in Philippians.
John 15:1–7
The vine-and-branches image describes dependence: a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, and Jesus says that without him the disciples can do nothing. It offers a comparison for strength understood in relation to Christ rather than as independent ability. Read the repeated language of abiding as part of that image.
Keep the settings distinct: John describes abiding and bearing fruit in Jesus’ address to disciples. Philippians describes Paul’s contentment and his response to a church’s help. Fruitfulness in the vine image and facing hunger in a letter are related reading questions, not identical circumstances.

A reading to avoid

All things should not be detached from the situations Paul has just described and turned into a guarantee of winning, wealth, or success on demand. The paragraph includes being hungry and suffering need. It also commends practical help rather than telling others to leave Paul unsupported.

Try the reading yourself

How do both verse 12 and verse 14 qualify a reading of verse 13 on its own?

Make two columns from Philippians 4:12: conditions of plenty and conditions of need. Read verse 13 after both columns, then note the help acknowledged in verse 14. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 and John 15:1–7. Write one sentence about dependence on Christ that leaves room for weakness, practical care, and the different purpose of each passage.

Source: the linked KJV passages. These notes offer a reading, not a ruling on doctrine. How the notes are prepared · Suggest a correction

Saying check
I can do all things through Christ
The words begin Philippians 4:13, where Paul explains how he has learned contentment in changing circumstances.

Linked passages (10 shown)

Up to ten source links are retained per verse. Their order follows source votes, not a judgment about meaning. How the links were collected

Isaiah 41:10
"Fear 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."
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2 Corinthians 12:9
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
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Ephesians 6:10
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
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Colossians 1:11
"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
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Isaiah 40:29
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
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Ephesians 3:16
"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"
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John 15:7
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
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2 Corinthians 3:4
"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:"
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John 15:4
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
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Isaiah 45:24
"Surely, 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."
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