Knowing The Word in Philippians 1:27-29, Your Manner of Life

[Even though broken by a chapter insertion, Paul’s thoughts in the next section go from verse 27 through 2:18 as exhortations to the community about how they should live. The primary thought, which is actually a correction to the wrong teaching that some Christians believed their lives should be exempt from hardship and suffering—and they therefore had a consequent disdain of Paul’s sufferings as an apostle—was that one should live in Christ.]

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ [Christians have a high calling as privileged children of God to live as citizens of heaven], so that whether I come and see you or am absent [“don’t wait for me to return but act now”], I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. [The strongest witness the Philippian Christians can make is through unity of their faith in the gospel.] This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. [There is no agreement possible unless there is agreement as to what constitutes the gospel.] 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake [the sovereign control and purposes of God don’t always sound so good from a marketing point of view!], 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. [These Christians should expect no more and no less than what Christ experienced himself and what Paul is now experiencing.]

Prayer

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.