complete verse (Philippians 4:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Philippians 4:13:

  • Uma: “I am always able to face anything that happens [lit., strikes], because Kristus strengthens my heart.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I can do all this because I am helped by Isa Almasi and he gives me strength.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I can do whatever I am asked to do because of the help of Christ, who is the One who strengthens me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I am able to face everything that happens because of my being joined to Cristo who strengthens me.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “As for all of this, I can do it because of the strength which Cristo graces/gives to me.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Whatever I pass through, I do not fear because Christ strengthens me.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Japanese benefactives (tsuyokushite)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, tsuyokushite (強くして) or “strengthen” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Philippians 4:13

Paul now gives the source of his strength to face all situations: literally, “I have strength for all things in him who strengthens me.” The clause “I have strength for all things” is generally taken to mean “I can do all things” (so Revised Standard Version New English Bible Jerusalem Bible New American Bible). It is also possible, and, in view of the context (vv. 11-12), desirable, to interpret “all things” in the sense of all conditions (Barclay “with any situation”). To face all conditions may be expressed as “regardless of what happens,” or “it makes no difference what happens.”

It is generally understood that “him” in the participial phrase “in him who strengthens me” refers to Christ. It is best to make this meaning explicit, thus “through Christ who gives me power” or by the power that Christ gives me. Verse 13 must sometimes be restructured so as to indicate the causal relation between what Christ does and the strength which Paul has, for example, “Christ causes me to be strong in every kind of circumstance,” or “Christ causes me to have the power to face….”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:13

4:13

I can do all things: There are two ways to understand all things in this context:

(1) all the conditions Paul has just mentioned; (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) all things in general; (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was able to be content in all situations that he had just mentioned.

Christ who gives me strength: Paul was referring to Christ, who gave him the strength to face any situation.

General Comment on 4:13

Paul did not mean that he could physically do anything or do things like live without food, but that Christ would strengthen him to continue to trust him even when he did not have enough food.

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Sung version of Philippians 4

Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).

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