Free Bible Commentary
“Philippians 1:27-30”
Categories: Philippians“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 mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
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When brethren in Christ stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (verse 27), there is no good thing that the “opponents” (verse 28) can stop them from doing. The word translated “mind” in verse 27 is the Greek word “psuchē” which is nearly always rendered “soul” in the New Testament. When Paul writes about standing firm in one spirt and one soul, he is talking about the deepest kind of united devotion to “the faith of the gospel.” That kind of dedication to “the faith” is giving everything you’ve got to not only “stand” in the truth, but to also actively push forward its “progress” (verse 12).
The term “striving together” is deeply meaningful as well. The NIV renders the phrase “contending as one,” and the RSV, “striving side by side.” The image that comes to my mind is the Greek phalanx. This was a close-rank military formation that consisted of a tight clustering of soldiers armed with long spears and interlocking shields. The phalanx was a formidable force for both defensive and offensive proficiency. When Christians lock their shields of faith together and adroitly wield their swords of truth, that spells “destruction” for God’s enemies and “salvation” for His warriors (verse 28).
Struggle and hardship are a part of any war, so we will have occasion to “suffer” as we fight for the Lord (verse 29). “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3). The Apostle Peter wrote that “even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14). It is a blessing to suffer for the cause of righteousness because if we suffer with Him “we will also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
So, if you are going through a rough patch while serving God, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are doing something wrong or that the Lord has forgotten you. It might just mean that you are suffering the setbacks of spiritual warfare. “To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 4:13).
Please read Philippians 2:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
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