Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me." — Philippians 4:13 (ASV)

I can do all things. From the experience that Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he arrives here at the general conclusion that he could "do all things." He could bear any trial, perform any duty, subdue any evil propensity of his nature, and meet all the temptations incidental to any condition of prosperity or adversity.

His own experience in the various changes of life had warranted him in arriving at this conclusion, and he now expresses the firm confidence that nothing would be required of him that he would not be able to perform. In Paul, this declaration was not a vain self-reliance, nor was it the mere result of his former experience. He knew well where the strength to do all things was to be obtained, and he confidently relied on that arm that was able to uphold him.

Through Christ which strengtheneth me. (See the author's discussion of John 15:5).

Paul had abundant experience of the strength that Christ can impart, and now his entire reliance was on that. It was not in any native ability that he had, not in any strength of body or of mind, not in any power that was in his own resolutions; it was in the strength that he derived from the Redeemer. By that he was enabled to bear cold, fatigue, and hunger; by that he met temptations and persecutions; and by that he engaged in the performance of his arduous duties. Therefore, let us learn:

1. that we need not sink under any trial, for there is One who can strengthen us.
2. that we need not yield to temptation, for there is One who is able to make a way for our escape.
3. that we need not be harassed, vexed, and tortured with improper thoughts and unholy desires, for there is One who can enable us to banish such thoughts from the mind and restore the right balance to the affections of the soul.
4. that we need not dread what is to come. Trials, temptations, poverty, want, persecution, may await us; but we need not sink into despondency. At every step of life, Christ is able to strengthen us and can bring us triumphantly through. What a privilege it is, therefore, to be a Christian—to feel, in the trials of life, that we have one Friend, unchanging and most mighty, who can always help us!

How cheerfully we should engage in our duties and meet the trials that are before us, leaning on the arm of our Almighty Redeemer! Let us not shrink from duty; let us not dread persecution; let us not fear the bed of death. In all circumstances, Christ, our unchanging Friend, can uphold us.

Let the eye and the affections of the heart be fixed on him; let the simple, fervent, believing prayer always be directed to him when trials come, when temptations assail, when duty presses hard upon us, and when a crowd of unholy and forbidden thoughts rushes into the soul, and we shall be safe.