“Only let your manner of life be worthy 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…” Philippians 1:27
Paul begins his words of counsel to his spiritual children. These are the words of Paul but inspired by the Holy Spirit, which means they are important truths for us to heed almost two thousand years after they were written. As we read these words we can sense Paul’s
behind what he is saying. Verses 27-30 are one long sentence that expresses Paul’s zeal.
Only Paul ties his counsel back to whether he will ever see them again or not. No matter what God’s will is, this is what the Philippians should do.
Let your manner of life Paul know his audience so he uses words that he knows will carry a deep meaning to his readers. Paul uses the verb “politeuomai” which refers to the act of living or conducting oneself as a citizen. Philippi was a Roman colony and all the Philippians were Roman citizens. Their citizenship was very important to them. This was not just a title, citizenship carried with it critical responsibilities they were to fulfill. Just as they were responsible to Rome, the Christians would understand Paul was saying to them they are citizens of a heavenly kingdom and are responsible to live in a manner reflecting the kingdom of God. They were to live by the values
and standards of a citizen of heaven. Paul will repeat this idea later in Philippians 4:1. “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
Be worthy Paul uses the word worthy which can be translated fitting. He urges the believers to live a life consistent with or aligned to God’s word. Paul knows the victorious life is one that is aligned with God’s truth.
Of the gospel of Christ Paul tells them their life should match their message. The Gospel is the good news – the truth and love of God for a dead world that needs salvation. Our lives then should demonstrate that truth and love, first to God and then to our fellow man. Believers are to be the “living” word to this world, just as Jesus was – light into darkness.
So that whether I come and see you or am absent Living for the Lord should not be based on who is around us. We are to live as citizens of heaven every day of our lives. Their faith is to be genuine whether Paul is there is not.
I may hear of you that you are standing firm Paul tells them the encouragement it brings him when he hears of the way these church members are standing firm in the flesh. Standing firm implies they are being steadfast in their beliefs. They believe what God said and live it out in their lives. Standing firm demonstrates stability, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.
What can we learn? Walking worthy is a consistent message for Paul. He wrote to the Ephesians “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3) He “urged” the Thessalonians to live their lives “in a way that God would consider worthy” (1 Thessalonians 2:12) and he wrote to the Colossians “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work” (Colossians 1:10, ESV). His words are equally true for believer who live in the shadow of His return Citizens of heaven are to walk worthy of their home country in this life!