25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26 that ayour rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Striving and Suffering for Christ
27 Only alet your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, bwith one mind cstriving together for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but1 to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For to you ait has been granted on behalf of Christ, bnot only to believe in Him, but also to csuffer for His sake,
30ahaving the same conflict bwhich you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, one of his most beloved congregations, before the late first-century apostasy, already warning them to be united in one spirit and one mind, working hard to keep the unity of the faith. Philippi, a Roman colony, eagerly copied Roman dress, law, government, and language, striving to be more Roman than Rome. The Greek word translated "conduct" gives English the word "politics" and carries the sense of citizenship, like politeuma. Christians must conduct everyday life as citizens, not of Philippi, but of the Kingdom of God, which always comes first. As spiritual soldiers in a war that is both physical and mental, they must stand fast, unified, which is why Paul uses such strong language.
Philippians 1:27
Paul wrote this to the Philippian church, considered to be one of his better, most beloved congregations, before the major apostasy of the late first century hit full stride. However, he was already beginning to warn them that they needed to be united in one spirit and one mind and strive, show some effort, work hard, to keep the unity of the faith.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, one of his most beloved congregations, before the late first-century apostasy, already warning them to be united in one spirit and one mind, working hard to keep the unity of the faith. Philippi, a Roman colony, eagerly copied Roman dress, law, government, and language, striving to be more Roman than Rome. The Greek word translated "conduct" gives English the word "politics" and carries the sense of citizenship, like politeuma. Christians must conduct everyday life as citizens, not of Philippi, but of the Kingdom of God, which always comes first. As spiritual soldiers in a war that is both physical and mental, they must stand fast, unified, which is why Paul uses such strong language.