Dr Paul Allen

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) Read Philippians 4:13 (without reading the surrounding verses yet). Think about some conclusions you might draw about what this verse is saying if you ignore the context. In this verse, Paul is saying that he can do “all things” through Christ, who strengthens him. You probably have seen this verse used in the context of athletics or some other kind of competition.  Some people have even made it their “life verse” as they think about Jesus helping them do amazing things. In other words, when we totally ignore the context that surrounds this verse, it becomes all about accomplishment.  We can take it as a promise that Jesus will strengthen us to do the things that we want to do—win a game, pass a test, make a lot of money, or achieve an outstanding award. We can be tempted to use this verse as a kind of motivational slogan for our lives. But when we look at the context, we begin to see that we cannot really tak...

“. . . his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” ( 2 Peter 3:16 ) It is vitally important for every Christian to study and use the Scriptures, for they constitute our only real authority (note Matthew 5:18 ; John 10:35 ; 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; 2 Peter 1:19-21 ; etc.). In doing this, however, it is just as important that we not misuse the Scriptures, for this can be almost as dangerous as ignoring them altogether. Many people twist the Scriptures, seeking to make them fit some opinion of their own, hoping thereby to give a pseudo-biblical authority to their peculiar prejudices, instead of allowing the Lord to say what He means. Such distortion of Scripture has generated a plethora of cults and heresies—past and present. This was essentially Christ’s view of the Pharisees: “In vain they do worship me, teaching ...