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Commentary Critical and Explanatory

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I can do (I have strength for) all things, [ panta (G3956) ischuoo (G2480)] - not merely 'how to be abased and how to abound.' After special instances, he declares his universal power, yet taking no glory to himself. How omnipotent is Christ, who makes His disciples omnipotent in Him!

Through Christ (so C, Origen) which strengtheneth me, ['Aleph (') A B Delta f, Vulgate, omit "Christ"] - 'in Him who giveth me power' [endunamounti me]. IN living union and identification with Him, my power (Galatians 2:20). Compare 1 Timothy 1:12, whence probably "Christ" was inserted here by transcribers (2 Timothy 4:17).

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See also Philippians 4:13 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    PHILIPPIANS 4:13 me {A} In order to identify who it is that strengthens Paul, the Textus Receptus, following several of the later uncials and many minuscules, adds Cristw|/. If the word had been pre...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 13. _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 indwel...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    I CAN DO ALL THINGS - From the experience which Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could “do all things.” He could bear any trial, perform...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    IV. CHRIST, THE BELIEVER'S STRENGTH, SUFFICIENT FOR ALL CIRCUMSTANCES CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Stand fast and rejoice (Philippians 4:1)_ 2. Dependence on God and true heart occupation (Philippians 4:5) 3. I...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    PHP_4:10-18. THANKS FOR THE GIFTS. The Philippians had sent assistance to Paul several times. They had begun when he was at Thessalonica, sending there twice. Now Epaphroditus has been bringing a more...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    GREAT THINGS IN THE LORD (Php_4:1) _ 4:1 So, then, my brothers, whom I love and yearn for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved._ Through this passage breathes the warmth of Paul's a...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that now at length you have made your thoughtfulness for me to blossom again. That was a matter indeed about which you were always thoughtful, but you had no opportunity...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    CAN DO. am strong for. Greek. _ischuo_ Compare App-172. CHRIST. App-98. but the texts read "Him". STRENGTHENETH, Greek. _endunamoo_, See Acts 9:22,...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _I can do all things_ More exactly, I HAVE STRENGTH FOR ALL THINGS; whether to do or to bear. The Latin versions, beautifully, render, _omnia possum_. The "all things" are, of course, not all things a...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    LOVING THANKS FOR THEIR ALMS, BROUGHT BY EPAPHRODITUS...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ἘΝΔΥΝΑΜΟΥ͂ΝΤΊ ΜΕ. So א**Obadiah 1:2; Obadiah 1:17, vulg copt arm æth, Clem Victorin Amb. So all recent Editors. אcD2cG2K2L, almost all cursives, Orig Ath Cyr Chrys add Χριστῷ, and a few father...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΙΣΧΎΩ (G2480) _praes. ind. act._ быть сильным, иметь силы, быть способным, ΈΝΔΥΝΑΜΟΫ́ΝΤΙ _praes. act. part. от_ ΈΝΔΥΝΑΜΌΩ (G1743) наделять силой, давать силу, укреплять (Vincent)....

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2164 EXTENT AND SOURCE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S POWER Philippians 4:13. _I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me_. THERE are in the sacred writings many various, and apparently...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    11. NOT THAT I SPEAK IN RESPECT OF WANT: FOR I HAVE LEARNED, IN WHATSOEVER STATE 1 AM, THEREIN TO BE CONTENT. 12. I KNOW HOW TO BE ABASED, AND I KNOW ALSO HOW TO ABOUND: IN EVERYTHING AND IN ALL THING...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Exhortation to Imitate Paul fact that in him alone do we see the resurrection life of Christ interpreted in terms of present conduct. Christ's earthly life needs no such interpretation, so none of...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    Final Charge. Acknowledgement of Philippian Bounty _VI. Closing Exhortations (Philippians 4:1)_ § 15. Philippians 4:1. With heightened feeling St. Paul resumes the vein of exhortation commenced in Ph...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LETTER OF JOY Paul’s Letter to the Philippians _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 4 PAUL APPEALS FOR A STEADY *FAITH AND FOR UNITY 4:1-3 V1 So then, my dear brothers and sisters, whom I love and I want very...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (10-20) These verses form a singularly graceful and dignified postscript, acknowledging the offerings of the Philippians sent by Epaphroditus, in a tone mingling apostolic commendation and blessing wi...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    I CAN DO ALL THINGS. — Properly, _I have strength in all things,_ rather (according to the context) to bear than to do. But the universal extension of the maxim beyond the immediate occasion and conte...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 19 GIFTS AND SACRIFICES. Philippians 4:10 (R.V). THE Apostle had urged joy. in the Lord, and a moderation visible to all men. If any one supposes that in doing so he recommended a stoical te...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    π. Ισχ. It is difficult to decide whether π. is accusative or merely adverbial. _Cf._ James 5:16 (where apparently ἰσχύει has the accusative), and Wis 16:20, ἄρτον … ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ ἔπεμψας … πᾶσαν ἡδονὴν...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    DELICATE EXPRESSION OF THANKS FOR THEIR GIFT....

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY EVERY NEED” Philippians 4:10 The Apostle had been glad to receive the gifts of his friends, because these evidenced their earnest religious life. It was fruit that increased to t...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Passing from particular to general instruction, the apostle first enjoined the grace of rejoicing. Twice he repeated his injunction. Moreover, he charged the Philippians that forbearance toward all me...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    THANKFULNESS FOR A GENEROUS CHURCH Paul did not want to seem ungrateful so he commended the Philippian church for their good work. They shared, or had part in, his suffering when they helped. Actuall...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (10) В¶ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I speak in respect of wan...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    There is no epistle in the New Testament which gives so little space to the development of. doctrine as this to the Philippians. Need it be said that it has not the less its own proper office on that...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    13_I can do all things through Christ _As he had boasted of things that were very great, (249) in order that this might not be attributed to pride or furnish others with occasion of foolish boasting,...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The Philippians were therefore to stand fast in the Lord. This is difficult when the general tone is lowered; painful also, for one's walk becomes much more solitary, and the hearts of others are stra...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    I CAN DO ALL THINGS,.... Which must not be understood in the greatest latitude, and without any limitation; for the apostle was not omnipotent, either in himself, or by the power of Christ; nor could...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Ver. 13. _I can do all things_] A Christian walks about the world like a conqueror, having power given him over all, Revelation 2:26,27. It...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Not that I speak in respect of want_ As if he had said, I do not speak thus feelingly of the renewal of your care because I was unhappy in poverty; _for I have learned_ From God, he only can teach th...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    DO ALL THINGS; to which he was in duty called....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE KINDNESS OF THE PHILIPPIANS. How Paul accommodated himself to every situation:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME. This passage brings the thanks of Paul for the material help which the Philippian congregation had sent to Rome with Epaphroditus. It was th...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    His heart overflowing at the contemplation of such an Object, the apostle in Ch.4 dwells upon the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus to supremely satisfy the soul. If in Ch.3 Christ is his Object in Glory,...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    The Secret of Contentment 1 Peter 4:10-23 1. KEY WORDS 10 Greatly, flourished, careful, opportunity 11 Want, learned, state, content 12 Abased, abound, full, hungry, need 13 Can do, through, str...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “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...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    10-19 It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Having written of the great things he had learned, that it might not be attributed to his proud conceit, or give occasion to any others vanity to boast, (as he had recourse before to the Divine effici...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans He who became a perfect man inwardly strengthening me.[30] Origen de Principiis Book III And therefore Paul exclaims with confidence, "I can do all things thro...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Php_4:13 do G2480 (G5719) things G3956 through G1722 Christ G5547 who G3588 strengthens G1743 (G5723) me G3165 can -...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all th...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    A FINAL EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR THEIR CONCERN ABOUT HIM AS REVEALED IN THE GIFT THAT EPAPHRODITUS HAD BROUGHT (PHILIPPIANS 4:10). Paul has taken the opportunity provided by Epaphroditus' return to...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Philippians 4:13. I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN HIM THAT STRENGTHENETH ME. The insertion of ‘Christ' in this verse is due to a marginal gloss, and has not the authority of the earliest texts. It is noteworth...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _He rejoices ever their Liberality_, _because it is a proof of the fruits of their Faith,_ 10-20. Now the apostle, before he closes his letter, turns once again to personal matters. He is rejoiced tha...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    I CAN DO ALL THINGS (παντα ισχυω). Old verb to have strength (ισχυς).IN HIM THAT STRENGTHENETH ME (εν τω ενδυναμουντ με). Late and rare verb (in LXX) from adjective ενδυναμος (εν, δυναμις). Causat...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Philippians 4:13 I. The context shows that it is more of bearing than of doing that St. Paul speaks. He has been initiated, he says, into the great mystery of contentment. He knows how to reconcile hi...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    This Epistle was written by Paul when he was in prison, with iron fetters about his wrists; yet there is no iron in the Epistle. It is full of light, life, love, and joy, blended with traces of sorro...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Philippians 4:1. _Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, do stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved._ You know that the church at Philippi was very dear to the apos...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Philippians 4:1. _Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the lord, my dearly beloved._ Paul had a very warm affection for the church at Philippi. You...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Christ the believer's strength and source of joy and peace. Giver of victory over anxiety. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Paul, Euodias, Syntyche, Clement. CONCLUSION: The believer's hope and pro...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Philippians 4:6. _Be careful for nothing let your requests be made known unto God._ Not that we are to abandon all care, or become careless, about the things of the present life, for that would be inc...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    BY THE POWER. This sums it all up: _by the power that Christ gives me._ The Stoics taught that a man ought to be self-sufficient and completely independent! Paul knows he has not done it alone! Compar...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me _ HERE WE FIND I. Weakness and strength. The believer is weak in himself. Looking to the “all things” to be done he laments this with shame...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Not that I speak in respect of want _ CONTENTMENT I. The great lesson. “I have learned,” etc. Man might very correctly be distinguished as the discontented animal. 1. We are not content with life...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 4:12 I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME. This does not mean God will bless whatever a person does. It means God gives believers the strength to do whate...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PHILIPPIANS—NOTE ON PHILIPPIANS 4:1 Concluding Encouragement and Thanksgiving. Paul calls for reconciliation, joyful faith, and disciplined thinking....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 4:10. HATH FLOURISHED AGAIN.—R.V. “ye have revived your thought for me.” The active generosity of the Philippians towards St. Paul had never died, any more...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 4:1 THEREFORE, MY BRETHREN DEARLY BELOVED AND LONGED FOR, MY JOY AND CROWN. The apostle here, as in 1 Corinthians 15:58, urges the hope of a glorious resurrection as an incent...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for (Philippians 4:1), What a beautiful words by Paul to the church, expressing his heart, just bearing his heart to them, "Dearly beloved, I long for...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 3:5;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    I can do [ι σ χ υ ω]. See on Luke 14:30. Strengtheneth [ε ν δ υ ν α μ ο υ ν τ ι]. More literally, infuses strength into me, as the old verb inforce....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    I can do all things — Even fulfil all the will of God....

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