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. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Phil 1:27-30
The points which remain to cover:
- Standing together for the Gospel
- Don’t be intimidated by your enemies
- The privilege of trusting in Christ and suffering for Him
Standing together for the Gospel
“I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” Paul’s comment here must surely relate to the hint of disunity among the preachers who appear to be mirroring the Corinthian attitude of factionalism as I commented on when we dealt with their reactions in Bible Gem 1916. I imagine Paul would have been alerted by this attitude raising its ugly head in Philippi as he experienced in Corinth. Let’s face it, it’s universal in the way it can impact the Body. Especially if it can happen in a church that seems as united as that in Philippi. But notice that the verb is future tense; he is reminding them to be alert about this matter. They had been completely behind Paul and the Gospel up to this point. I don’t think for a minute that Paul was jealous for his own name or his own ministry. His comments above indicate that his focus and his passion is that Christ and the Gospel is preached. Only let us stand together while we do it. Not leaning toward factionalism or favouritism for certain preachers or ministers of the Gospel, neither turning to a gospel which deviates from the one true Gospel of Christ crucified.
Don’t be intimidated by your enemies
“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.” The first emboldened word Paul used here in his opening statement on this matter is the word [pturō]. One person has asked me why I put the dash above the ō or the ē with some words. That is to distinguish between the [o’s] of Greek. Omicron, the short [o] and Omega the long [ῶ]. The same principle is true for the short e (epsilon) and long ē [η] (ēta) – for those among you who want to know these things. Now back to our understanding of [pturō]. The sense of the word is on a continuum of the degree of intimidation ranging from “scare”, “frighten”, “intimidate” or “terrify”. The Greek term has its origin or etymology in the description of an uncontrollable stampede of horses which have been startled. I guess we could even add “startled” to our list above although that would fit at the lower end of our continuum of meaning. Don’t let those who oppose you send you into an uncontrolled panic. Just stand your ground.
Paul adds to the verb the adverb [mēdeis] which has the meaning nothing, nobody, no way, no manner nor any other similar word you can think of. Are you getting the message?
Now let’s investigate the second emboldened word [antikeimai] meaning “one set against or opposed to you – “opponent”, “enemy”, “adversary” and any other synonym you can think of. However the primary meaning of [antikeimai] is focused on the aggressive, violent nature of the opposition rather than intellectual opposition or those arguing or debating against Paul and his fellow believers on theological or religious grounds. Paul is not likely referring to the false teachers or Jewish religious seducers. He is more likely to be referring to:
- Those who practiced mob violence against Paul and his followers
- Those who hated Paul and his new believers in Philippi
- The hostile Jews and Gentiles against the followers of the Way
- Those in Philippi and Rome who sought to stamp out this new religio illicita
- Those who persecuted the believers in Christ both in Paul’s time and in the decades to come
I think Paul’s reference to the signs that they will be destroyed and the Christians will be saved is on the basis of what those in Philippi and the ones in Rome had witnessed already of the evident favour of God that was upon the followers of the Way, the Christians, the followers of the Christ. It is clear that Paul’s stand for Christ and his unflinching perseverance for Christ was an inspiration to those who followed his example in both Philippi and now Rome.
The privilege of trusting in Christ and suffering for Him
“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.” These words of Paul make it abundantly clear to all followers of the way that included in following the way is not only victory and salvation but persecution and suffering as well. That which they had seen Paul suffer in the past and what they heard of him suffering at the time he was writing the letter to them. Doesn’t it sound reminiscent of the One Paul is following? Taking up your cross after Jesus . . . if they hated Me they will hate you too. The undoubted conclusion from all of this is that there was to be suffering up ahead for the Philippians just as there was for Paul and which they were still hearing he endured. If we are to carry it to its final conclusion there is the inevitable implication for those of us who follow the Way two millennia later.
Well that is a cheerful prospect isn’t it?
It happens when you have this mind that was in Paul, see Bible Gem 1917 and when you look ahead to Paul’s encouragement to have the same mind that was also in Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5)
Oh are you suggesting these portions are connected Ian?
You be the judge as we move into chapter 2 of Philippians.
Remember what to do at a chapter boundary!
When your flesh is on the cross, the Lord is on the throne.
T D Jakes
I am not concerned that you have fallen, I am concerned that you will rise.
Abraham Lincoln
There is a war going on. All talk of a Christian’s right to live luxuriously “as a child of the King” in this atmosphere sounds hollow — especially since the King himself is stripped for battle.
John Piper