‘Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working which works in me mightily (in power).'
Paul plays his full part in this work of ministry. ‘Labour' (kopio) means toiling almost to the point of exhaustion. ‘Striving' ('agonizomai), means ‘agonising, putting in great effort' as in an athletics contest (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). So the fact that he is empowered does not mean that no effort is required of him. But while the effort is his, the power is not. That is given to him by Another. It results from the working of God which works in him ‘in power' (dunamis), dynamic power (compare Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 2:13). And without that effective power all activity would be in vain.