Philippians 4:13 — "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" — is the second-most-tattooed Bible verse after Psalm 23. It appears on athletes, soldiers, addicts in recovery, students, and anyone who has needed strength beyond their own.
Philippians 4:13 occupies a unique place in popular Christianity: it is the verse you reach for when you need strength right now. Athletes have tattooed it on their forearms for the moment before competition; soldiers have placed it on shoulders before deployment; people in recovery have inked it on wrists as the first thing they see in the morning. The verse's context (Paul writing from prison about contentment in any circumstance) makes it more than a victory verse — it is a verse of endurance and dependence. The text is short enough (60 characters in NIV) to fit any placement, and clear enough that the meaning lands without explanation. Common variations: full verse, just "I can do all things through Christ," just "Phil 4:13," or just "Phil. 4:13" in a clean serif.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.”
“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Read in context (Philippians 4:10-13), Paul is not talking about winning games or achieving goals — he is talking about contentment in every circumstance. He had just thanked the Philippians for sending support and added that he had learned to be content whether well-fed or hungry, in plenty or in want. "I can do all things through Christ" means he can endure any circumstance with Christ's sustaining strength. The verse is more about endurance than achievement, more about dependence than self-help.
It is the second-most-tattooed Bible verse for a reason: it is short, memorable, instantly meaningful, and applicable to almost any life situation. The only critique some Christians raise is that the verse is sometimes used out of context (as a self-help slogan). If your tattoo represents Christ's strength sustaining you in hard circumstances — which is Paul's actual meaning — it carries the full weight of the text. If it represents personal achievement, you are using half the verse.
Both are popular. The full verse (or the truncated "I can do all things through Christ") works at any placement that accommodates 30-60 characters. The reference alone ("Phil 4:13" or "Philippians 4:13") is the minimalist choice — popular at the wrist, ankle, or finger. The reference invites curiosity (people who know the verse recognize it; people who don't will look it up).
Common pairings: a cross (the source of the strength), a date (the moment of decision or the moment of need), a small flame or anchor (resilience symbols), or another Philippians verse — especially 4:6 ("do not be anxious") or 4:7 ("the peace of God"). Athletes often pair the verse with their jersey number; people in recovery pair it with their sobriety date.