Immanuel - Mankato Bible Class
Study of Philippians – Lesson 6
February 11, 2001
Philippians 1:27-30

Introduction:

Paul has greeted his hearers and given them an update of his circumstance and spirit. Next Paul turns the subject to the Philippians. The "admonition" section of Paul’s letter begins with verse 27 of chapter 1.

Verse 27: Only continually be citizens worthy of the Gospel of Christ, in order that whether I am coming and see you or if I’m absent (and) hearing the things concerning you, that (either way) you are standing firm in one spirit, one soul striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

• ONLY: Whether Paul lives or dies (1:19ff) and whether he comes again to Philippi or not, there is really only one thing about which the Philippians should be concerned: "Be citizens worthy of the Gospel of Christ!" There can be many distractions in the life of a Christian/Christian congregation. Paul’s admonition is much the same as that of the writer to the Hebrews, "…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…" (Hebrews 12:2).
• BE CITIZENS: This thought is usually translated as "let your conduct be…" It is, however, more literally translated: "to live as a citizen/to be a citizen or member of a group." Because upstanding citizens who treasure their citizenship act/live in a certain way, "conduct" becomes an acceptable translation.

  The concept of citizenship was great for the Philippians because of the value of being a Roman citizen in those days. The Philippians had Roman citizenship because Philippi was a Roman colony. Paul also had that privileged citizenship by virtue of his birthplace. There is a certain "code of conduct" that a citizen of a country will uphold. Paul was guiding the Philippians to value their heavenly citizenship (cf: 3:20) more than their earthly citizenship with Rome. "Now, if you act/live in a particular way because you are ROME’s citizen, then even more so live as citizen’s of HEAVEN. Bear your heavenly citizenship with pride.

• WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL: We are in no way "worthy" of the Gospel (we’re undeserving sinners!) nor can our lives ever reach the holiness and perfection of the Gospel. Paul is, rather, admonishing the Philippians (and us) to have our life’s conduct—and indeed every part of our lives—be in accordance with the Gospel and our status as God’s children. "Worthy" = corresponding, fitting, appropriate, as becomes the Gospel. There is a certain "mode of life" that is fitting for a child of God.
• CONCEPT OF "WORTHY":
Ephesians 4:1-2, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Matthew 3:8/Acts 26:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Matthew 10:37-38, Luke 15:19-21
• STANDING FIRM…: Regardless of whether Paul is able to come and witness it first hand, or whether he just hears about it, his prayer is that he will hear that the Philippians continue to stand firm just as they have been standing. Paul desires that the Philippian congregation continue to stand in a unity of spirit. If people are guided by their reason and flesh, there will be many different "spirits" and disunity. When, on the other hand, Christians are united on Gospel truth, motivated by that truth, and led by that truth (i.e. living worthy of the Gospel), there will be unity of spirit and purpose. There was apparently some friction (or at least the potential for that friction; cf: 4:2) beginning to show itself in the Philippian congregation and, consequently, Paul admonishes them to unity in the Gospel. READ: Ephesians 4:1-3 – what characterizes God-pleasing unity? How is that unity achieved?
• "A variety of spirits in a Christian congregation simply means that a number of Christians are still being dominated by their natural spirit of the old Adam, and not by the Word of God." [Wenzel, p. 60]
• STRIVING TOGETHER…: "Contend/struggle/strive" along with someone. The striving which Paul describes assumes a common goal and working together. The goal for which the Philippians (and likewise Paul) were striving was on behalf of the "faith of the Gospel," i.e. the faith/news of salvation presented by the Gospel. In other words, keep working together to fulfill Christ’s commission: "Go, therefore, and make disciples…" This joint labor in Christ’s kingdom is described as "striving" because there will always be opposition against the work and attacks upon the workers in an attempt to disrupt the unity and joint striving. READ: Jude 3.

Cf: Luther’s Explanation to the 1^st Petition

• To walk worthy of the Gospel implies many a serious duty. The Gospel itself is news of tremendous importance. It brings the greatest imaginable boon to him who accepts it, for it brings Christ and His salvation to man. If the Christian really appreciates the high value of the Gospel, he will earnestly strive so to live that he does honor to the Gospel, and this means not only the fight against sin in every shape and form, but also the direct advancement of the Gospel in every shape and form (church membership, missionary endeavors, and the like). To walk worthy of the Gospel comprises the entire sanctification of the Christian." [Wenzel, p. 59]
• "Paul in a brief way states what he expects of a congregation as a whole. He asks for one spirit, one frame of mind in all, this to evidence itself in cooperative striving in the interest of the Christian doctrine contained in the Gospel. In this demand he points out the weak side of a large percentage of the churches, the lack of cooperation on the part of its members due to a lack of appreciation of what the true doctrine means, which in turn causes a diversity of spirit in the members which shows itself in a diversity of minds and sentiments." [Wenzel, p. 60]

Verse 28: and not being terrified in connection with nothing (i.e., not being terrified in any way at all) by the ones who are in opposition (to you), which is to them a demonstration of (their) destruction but (your) salvation and this (salvation is) from God.

• TERRIFIED: Paul compares the fear that the Philippians might have to the hesitancy of a startled and skittish horse. The persecution which the Philippians would face (and evidently were already beginning to face, cf: vv.29-30) could be enough to intimidate them and quench their zeal for the Gospel-work. "No fear" becomes the third of the three elements in having a "conduct worthy of the Gospel." STAND…STRIVE…DON’T BE INTIMIDATED by the opposition. READ: 2 Timothy 1:7
• WHICH….DEMONSTRATION: The "which" refers back to the whole concept just described by Paul—the Philippians’ standing and striving without fear in the midst of persecution. This way of life demonstrated by the Philippians would be a demonstration/sign of the error and destruction of the unbelieving opposition and the Philippians’ salvation. The opposition toward the Philippians was really opposition against God and that would bring judgment. Those who faithfully endure the tribulations of this life will reap a heavenly inheritance. The Philippians’ standing in the midst of persecution would demonstrate who was who and the "reward" each would reap. READ: 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10; cf: Gamaliel’s counsel in Acts 5:35-39.

Verses 29-30: For to you it has been freely given not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same sort of struggle you saw concerning me and (which) you are now hearing about me.

• FREELY/GRACIOUSLY GIVEN: Every child of God confesses that his faith in Christ and salvation is a gift given freely out of God’s grace…but also his suffering? YES! Paul says that just as our salvation is graciously given to us by God, so too the suffering we endure FOR CHRIST’S SAKE is likewise a gracious gift from God. This truth would serve for the Philippians’ comfort and strengthening. Any gift from God should be highly appreciated. Paul was leading the Philippians to appreciate and to see the blessing of this gift that looked like anything but a gift. NOTE WELL: Paul is not speaking about any and all hardships we face in this sinful life. He is referring specifically to that suffering which we face because we are Christians, and would otherwise not face. READ: Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41, 14:22; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-15;
• How can it be a matter of God’s GRACE when believers face trouble for Christ’s sake?
• Do we have God’s gift of suffering for Christ’s sake in our lives?
• SAME SORT OF STRUGGLE: The conflict/struggle/fight which the Philippians were facing was the same kind of conflict they witnessed around Paul when he was in Philippi (Acts 16:19ff)—the mob, the imprisonment, etc. because He and Silas had preached the Gospel and healed the demon-possessed girl. It was the same sort of conflict about which the Philippians had now heard concerning Paul in prison—his bonds were in connection with Christ. The Philippians weren’t in any different situation than Paul or any other persecuted believer…its part of being a child of God. READ: 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13
• The archenemy was the same. The cause was the same, and the source of strength for the struggle was the same. The joy in the Lord Jesus that they could experience in their struggle was the same, and the ultimate victory was the same. Just knowing this should encourage the Philippians in their daily struggles and fill their hearts with fresh courage and joy. [Peoples’ Bible, p.36]
• "We are only too prone to regard our own conflicts and trials as being unparalleled. ‘But the truth is that they can be paralleled even exceeded by the experience in the next house or the next street. Paul at Philippi, and Paul at Rome presents the common inheritance of faith and trial which the people of God everywhere experience. Let us consequently take kindly to what God gives us – He sends us trial and He sends us faith in such blessed proportions…’ (Edgar). It is always a certain measure of comfort to know that we have the same conflicts as others have. The sufferings and conflicts of the ministers of Christ, too, ought to encourage their people to have like patience and firmness. This, of course, is not to be the highest motive for patient endurance in trials and conflicts; nevertheless, it is one that strongly appeals to us as human beings, and if used with discretion, may aid us in continuing patiently to bear the cross of Christ. For in looking upon the trials of others, we, above all things, must bear in mind that they are suffering for Christ’s sake, and that such suffering is great glory for them…only the toiler can know the true sweetness of rest, and only the sufferer the deep blessedness of heaven. Therefore, bear whatever God has ordained for you to bear." [Wenzel, p. 61]
• FORMULA OF CONCORD ~ THOROUGH DECLARATION ~ Article II, Free Will: "To some extent reason and free will are able to lead an outwardly virtuous life. But to be born anew, to receive inwardly a new heart, mind, and spirit, is solely the work of the Holy Spirit. He opens the intellect and the heart to understand the Scriptures and to heed the Word…He works faith, for "It has been granted to you by God that you should believe on Him" (Philippians 1:29). [Tappert, 526.26]

FOR STUDY & DISCUSSION:
(Based in part on "A Study Guide for Philippians, Colossians, Philemon," Harlyn J. Kuschel, NPH, 1987)

1. Why is proper conduct on the part of those that believe of great importance (cf: Matthew 5:16, 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:5, etc.)?
2. What are some ways we can help ourselves more highly appreciate God’s gift of suffering?
3. Read Matthew 10:18-20; Acts 23:11
1. a) What promise did the apostles have when they faced powerful enemies?
2. b) Do believers of today still have the same promise?
3. c) What, if any, difference(s) is there between the way God fulfilled that promise to His disciples and the way He fulfills it today?
4. What are some of the spiritual enemies we Christians face today?
5. Where can we find the strength to face our enemies with confident joy?
6. Thinking of the average Christian life (MY life)…what might lead people to think we’re living as citizens of this earth? What might lead them to think we’re citizens of heaven?

{WCE}