“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The claim

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Verdict

Bible sentence, stretched meaning

This is a real Bible sentence (Philippians 4:13), but “all things” in the paragraph means every circumstance of need and plenty, not every ambition.

The text

Philippians 4:11–13

WEB

11 Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
12 I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

KJV

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.

What kind of text

Letter
From prison
Thanksgiving & contentment

Paul thanks the Philippian church for a gift and explains that Christ gives strength for contentment in hunger and in plenty.

How Christians have read this

Historic pastoral reading

Christ is enough in both lack and abundance. “All things” points back to the circumstances in verse 12.

Common misuse

Treated as a slogan that believers can achieve any goal or win any contest.

What the next verse does

Verse 14 turns to the church sharing Paul’s trouble. The line is about sufficiency in hardship, not unlimited success.