How could Paul be content? His contentment did not come through will power or the power of positive thinking. Paul was not a member of the Stoic philosophic school. It was Jesus Christ who enabled him to be content. [source][source][source]
"The secret of Paul"s independence was his dependence upon Another. His self-sufficiency in reality came from being in vital union with One who is all-sufficient." [1][source]
Earlier in this letter Paul explained that the most important thing in life was to center on Christ ( Philippians 2:7-11). Contentment is a fruit of doing so. "All things" in the context included being content with little or much materially, but Christ can enable His children to do much more than this (cf. Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). [source][source][source]
"Paul . . . never allowed his weaknesses or perceived weaknesses to be an excuse for inactivity, or for a failure to attempt the impossible task. They in a sense became his greatest assets, and surrendering them to Christ he discovered that they were transformed for his own enrichment and for the enrichment of others." [2][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 4:10-23 - "my God Shall Supply Every Need"
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 their account. On his own part he had learned one of the greatest of lessons-contentment with whatever state he found himself in. This is a secret that can only be acquired by our experience of life in the will of God. When once the soul lives in God and finds its highest ideal in the fulfillment of His will, it becomes absolutely assured that all things which are necessary will be added. All things are possible to those who derive their daily strength from God.
It is wonderful to hear Paul say that he abounded, Philippians 4:18. A prison, a chain, a meager existence! The great ones of the world would have ridiculed the idea that any could be said to abound in such conditions. But they could not imagine the other hemisphere in which Paul lived; and out of his own blessed experience of what Christ could do, he promised that one's every need would be supplied. God's measure is his riches in glory; and his channel is Jesus Christ. Let us learn from Philippians 4:18 that every gift to God's children which is given from a pure motive is acceptable to Him as a fragrant sacrifice. That reference in Philippians 4:22 shows that Paul was making good use of his stay in Rome [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 4
1From particular admonitions, 4he proceeds to general exhortations, 10showing how he rejoiced at their generosity toward him while in prison 19And so he concludes with prayer and salutations
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:13
I can do all things [παντα ισχυω] Old verb to have strength (ισχυς ischus). [source]
In him that strengtheneth me [εν τωι ενδυναμουντι με] Late and rare verb (in lxx) from adjective ενδυναμος endunamos Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one. See same phrase in 1 Timothy 1:12 δυναμις tōi endunamōsanti me (aorist tense here). Paul has such strength so long as Jesus keeps on putting power (dunamis) into him. [source]
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:13
Old verb to have strength (ισχυς ischus). [source]
Late and rare verb (in lxx) from adjective ενδυναμος endunamos Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one. See same phrase in 1 Timothy 1:12 δυναμις tōi endunamōsanti me (aorist tense here). Paul has such strength so long as Jesus keeps on putting power (dunamis) into him. [source]
See on Luke 14:30. [source]
More literally, infuses strength into me, as the old verb inforce. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Philippians 4:13
An unclassical word, found in Paul and Acts. See Acts 9:22; Philippians 4:13. Three times in the Pastorals. [source]