Philippians 4:13 is more glorious than it's common mistranslation

This coming Sunday we will be looking at Philippians 4:10-13 that includes one of the most famous verses in all of scripture for Americans. It is simultaneously one of the most misunderstood and abused. Kent Hughes comments:

“…Sadly, Philippians 4:13 has been widely misused as it has been removed from its context and employed as an inspirational snippet to say, “I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me” or “I can do everything (especially extraordinary things) through Christ who strengthens me.” It has been especially abused by those who view their Christianity through the lens of triumphalism, who think that through Christ they become superhuman.

As with every other line of Scripture, the assertion “I can do all things” is controlled by the context. Thus what Paul says is that in whatever circumstances I find myself, in whatever extremes—whether experiencing abundance with the wealthy or fellowshiping with the poor or struggling to proclaim the gospel to people who don’t want to hear or enduring the wrath of the establishment or bringing peace to the church or languishing in prison—I can be content and “can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul is confident that he will be divinely strengthened to do anything and everything that God calls him to do. Not only could Paul be content and confident in every circumstance, he could also be sure that he would be equipped with divine power to deal with it.”

 Hughes, R. Kent. Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007. Print. Preaching the Word.