Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength

Why is this verse so misquoted and misused in the Church? How many of us even know the context of this verse?

Paul is writing this to the Church of Philippi to reassure them that he is okay and “content” with his current situation, which would be house arrest in Rome. The Church of Philippi, founded by Lydia in a Roman colon, sent Epaphroditus on a 800-mile journey (random google source) to give missionary aid to Paul, and Paul in return sends back a letter that gives lavish thanks to said church in what I consider his most vulnerable epistle in the Bible. 

In no way does this verse have anything to do with winning a sports game or being successful in life, yet we often quote this verse in conjunction with some form of worldly success. Some even use it as a tagline for a Facebook profile or cover photo that has nothing to do with the Gospel and everything to do with themselves. It’s even misquoted on shoes…

When we quote this verse, we need to treat it as if we are quoting a scientific article and hold to the author’s original intent (with correct notation too: Paul of Tarsus, “Epistle to the Philippians,” The Bible, 4 (62 AD): 13.). That means when we quote this verse, we are standing in solidarity with Paul as he faced imprisonment, loss of many of his travel companions, and inevitable fate of death at Emperor Nero’s hands (Paul’s true fate unknown, but this is most likely outcome). He overcomes his suffering, persecution, and loneliness by the power of Christ, the Gospel. Let us be true to the testimony and faith of our predecessor instead of making it about ourselves!