Philippians 4:13

To attribute sufficiency to divine grace, which one hopes will not be lacking to oneself on account of divine munificence, is not a matter of presumption, but of confidence and of the certainty of hope, by which we believe that God is a helper to …

Then when he says, I can do all things, he reveals the cause of his constancy saying, I can do all things in him who strengthens me. As if to say: I would not be able to endure want, unless the hand of God supported …

We have need of strength from Christ, to enable us to perform not only those duties which are purely Christian, but even those which are the fruit of moral virtue.

I can do all things,....

My Brothers and Sisters, when Paul said these words, he meant them. Indeed, he had to a great measure already proved the strength of which he now asserts the promise! Have you ever thought how varied were the trials, and how innumerable the achievements of the Apostle Paul? Called by Grace in a sudden and miraculous manner, immediately— not consulting with flesh and blood—he essays to preach the Gospel he has newly received! Then he retires a little while, that he may more fully understand the Word of God.

My Brothers and Sisters, when Paul said these words, he meant them. Indeed, he had to a great measure already proved the strength of which he now asserts the promise! Have you ever thought how varied were the trials, and how innumerable the achievements of the Apostle Paul? Called by Grace in a sudden and miraculous manner, immediately— not consulting with flesh and blood—he essays to preach the Gospel he has newly received! Then he retires a little while, that he may more fully understand the Word of God. From the desert of Arabia, where he has girded his loins, and strengthened himself by meditation and personal mortification, he comes out. Not taking counsel with the Apostles, nor asking their guidance or their approbation, but at once, with singular courage, proclaiming the name of Jesus, and proclaiming that he, himself, also is an Apostle of Christ! You will remember that after this, he undertook many difficult things—he withstood Peter to his face—no easy task with a man so bold and so excellent as Peter was, but Peter might be a timeserver—Paul never! Paul rebukes Peter, even to his face. And then mark his own achievements, as he describes them himself, "In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure." "In prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. In weariness and painfulness, in marches often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting, in cold and nakedness.

I can do all things - It was not a habit which he had acquired by frequent exercise, it was a disposition which he had by grace; and he was enabled to do all by the power of an indwelling Christ. Through Him who strengtheneth me is the reading of some of the best MSS., versions, and fathers; the word Χριστῳ, Christ, being omitted.