VERSE MAPPING |
VERSE(S) 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. |
CONTEXT Paul is in prison in Rome. Nevertheless, he is filled with joy that the church there that have joined with that they have joined with him in the spreading the Good News about Christ. Finally, he is filled with joy that his imprisonment has helped spread the Gospel. Even though it is out of jealousy and rivalry, others are preaching the Gospel. He desires to die and be with Christ but believes he needs to remain for their sake. To help them grow and experience the joy as a Christian. This is his very first exhortation. |
OTHER VERSIONS NASB- 27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one [v]mind striving together for the faith of the gospel NKJV- 27 Only let 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, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel ESV- 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy[h] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 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 PHILLIPS- But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the Gospel of Christ. So that whether I do come and see you, or merely hear about you from a distance, I may know that you are standing fast in a united spirit, battling with a single mind for the faith of the Gospel MESSAGE- Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news |
PERSONALIZE I owe my allegiance (loyalty, devotion) to heaven and its King. My life will demonstrate this devotion. I will fight for it. I will not do anything to bring disrespect on it (Him). I will speak loudly and forcefully of its (His) goodness and privileges. I will not tolerate slander of it (Him) of any kind. |
WORD STUDY |
ENGLISH DICTIONARY Citizen
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BIBLE DICTIONARY(S) Citizen
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ALL REFERENCES Citizen Phil 3:20- But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Manner worthy Romans 16:2 Eph 4:1 Phil 1:27 Col 1:10 1 Thess 2:12 3 John 1:6 Standing together Mark 3:31 Mark 11:25 John 1:26 John 8:44 Rom 14:4 1 Cor 16:13 Gal 5:1 Phil 1:27 Phil 4:1 1 Thess 3:8 2 Thess 2:15 Spirit Too many! 380x Purpose Too many! 101x Fighting together Notes when applicable |
SUMMARY The Good News. We must live like the children of God, and citizens of heaven, that we truly are. Why? In a way, there is no why! Nature itself teaches this. My children never asked me- why do I have to act like I am your son/daughter? Why do I have to obey any rules in this house? If there is a why, it is in the next verse. We need to stand as one with our brothers/sisters in Christ in all of our labor to promote and defend our faith in Jesus. It will fall on empty ears if the conduct of our lives do not match our message. |
APPLICATION All of eternity, all of life, all of my life, everything, is about Jesus and the Good News of what He has done in conquering evil... sin and death. Restoring creation. I must reflect that in my life and I need to join hands with my brothers/sisters and work hard to promote and defend this wonderful. unbelievable truth. It starts every morning and then in every moment throughout the day where I choose to be led by the Spirit and pivot my every action and word on Jesus Christ. |
TBD |
42 Comments
Word Study
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Encounter Note
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The apostle had the believers in Philippi on his heart. Regardless of what would happen to him — release from bonds or martyrdom — he wanted them to honor and glorify Christ. The words conduct yourselves translate a political word which would mean much to the Philippian believers. Literally it means “live as citizens.” Because Philippi was a Roman colony, the Christian inhabitants of the city would appreciate Paul’s use of that verb. To live in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:1) is indeed the responsibility of every child of God. This Paul exhorted the Philippians to do.
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Now Paul adds a word of caution: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Christians should be Christlike. Citizens of heaven should behave accordingly. We should be in practice what we are in position.
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Wiersbe.
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Wiersbe. 2.
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Barnes.
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Amplified. SB.
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The steadfast church (1:27–30)
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Only in a manner worthy of the gospel. We make use of this form of expression, when we are inclined to pass on to a new subject. Thus it is as though he had said, "But as for me, the Lord will provide, but as for you, etc., whatever may take place as to me, let it be your care, nevertheless, to go forward in the right course."When he speaks of a pure and honorable conversation as being worthy of the gospel, he intimates, on the other hand, that those who live otherwise do injustice to the gospel.
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Striving together for the faith. This is the strongest bond of concord, when we have to fight together under the same banner, for this has often been the occasion of reconciling even the greatest enemies. Hence, in order that he may confirm the more the unity that existed among the Philippians, he calls them to notice that they are fellow-soldiers, who, having a common enemy and a common warfare, ought to have their minds united together in a holy agreement. The expression which Paul has made use of in the Greek (συναθλου̃ντες τῃ̃ πίστει) is ambiguous. The old interpreter renders it Collaborantes fidei, (laboring together with the faith.) Erasmus renders it Adiuvantes fidem, (Helping the faith,) as if meaning, that they gave help to the faith to the utmost of their power. As, however, the dative in Greek is made use of instead of the ablative of instrumentality, (that language having no ablative,) I have no doubt that the Apostle's meaning is this: "Let the faith of the gospel unite you together, more especially as that is a common armory against one and the same enemy."In this way the particle σύν, which others refer to faith, I take as referring to the Philippians, and with greater propriety, if I am not mistaken. In the first place, every one is aware how effectual an inducement it is to concord, when we have to maintain a conflict together; and farther, we know that in the spiritual warfare we are armed with the shield of faith, (Ephesians 6:16,) for repelling the enemy; nay, more, faith is both our panoply and our victory. Hence he added this clause, that he might shew what is the end of a pious connection. The wicked, too, conspire together for evil, but their agreement is accursed: let us, therefore, contend with one mind under the banner of faith.
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Whatever. In the Greek the word here is "only." "Whatever may happen, whether I visit you again or visit you not": see Galatians 2:10; 5:13; 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:7, where the same Greek word, "only," is used.
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Paul’s Purpose in Writing (1:27–30)
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Global ESV Study Bible
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be worthy of the gospel. As the esv footnote indicates, the Greek can also be translated “behave as citizens worthy [of the gospel].” Philippi prided itself on being a Roman colony, offering the honor and privilege of Roman citizenship. Paul reminds the congregation that they should look to Christ, not Caesar, for their model of behavior. They need to stand with one another and with Paul in striving for the gospel. Paul’s emphasis on unity may suggest some division within the Philippian congregation (see 4:2–3).
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ESV Study Bible
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Literary SB
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II. First Series of Exhortations (1:27-2:18)
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Halley's
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Harper Collins
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Holman
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Holman NT
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JFB Commentary
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Lenski's
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Matthew Henry
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MH Concise
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NIV Compact
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NKJV SB
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NTCS a
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NTCS b.
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NTCS c
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Parallel Commentary
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EvBC
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Constable
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The Preachers Commentary
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TTB
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Word Biblical
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Adam Clarke?
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Only--Whatever happens as to my coming to you, or not, make this your one only care.
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The Complete Bible Commentary
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Zondervan
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Phillips
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AuthorErv Thomas is a retired engineer who gets to sit around and read his Bible all day Archives
May 2024
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