Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me”

“I can do”: “He has the power to cope with or is competent and able to handle” (Hawthorne p. 201). “Have power, be competent; be able” (Jackson p. 87).

“All things”: The type of things mentioned in the context. Obviously, Paul is not claiming that he can fly, or convert every person he talks to, and so on. “I have the power to face all conditions of life.. can endure all these things.. have the resources to master them” (Hawthorne p. 201). “In Him”: In Christ (Philippians 3:9). Outside of Christ, Paul realizes that he is incompetent and unprepared to face the harsh realities of life. Jesus also taught this while upon the earth (John 15:4 “apart from Me you can do nothing”). This is not. mysterious condition, rather in Him is simply being in. right relationship with Christ, fully trusting Him, believing and obeying His teachings, and being convinced that Christ loves us. “That strengthens me”: “Lit., in my strengthener (enabler) 1 Timothy 1:12” (Bruce p. 151).

The strength or power available to Paul was not something that seized him and proceeded to override his own freewill. The phrase "I have learned" teaches us that this contentment required Paul's cooperation and effort. Other verses tell us that such contentment demands our complete trust in God (Hebrews 13:5). The strengthening available to Paul is also available to all Christians. Through His revelation, God has given us every incentive to fully place our trust in Him (John 3:16; Romans 5:6; Romans 8:32; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6; James 4:8), regardless of the external happenings around us. Notice how Paul's contentment is so different from the world. The world tries to find contentment in complete self-sufficiency. Paul found it in being God-sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul did not spend his life trying to manipulate the circumstances to serve him, he realized that such was impossible, even for the wisest and most gifted of men (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Paul gave up all, in order to gain Christ (1 Peter 3:8), and in doing so, found the greatest treasures of life. Mark this down, true happiness, contentment, and peace cannot be found in. life that is being lived for self (Matthew 16:24).