PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30
27 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, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
10 POINTS TO PONDER
Paul’s singular command in this passage is simple. Your life should reflect what Jesus has done for you.
The “manner of your life” or how you “conduct yourself” essentially consists of what you do, what you say, how you respond, and how you relate. These four actions comprise the vast majority of your life.
According to Paul (in Romans 1:16), the Gospel is the power of God for salvation. It is the finished work of Jesus that makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Without Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, salvation would be impossible.
Jesus suffered for you. Living worthy of His Gospel means choosing to suffer for Him.
“So that” is an outcome statement. The way we live has outcomes. Our actions, words, and responses impact people around us, often in ways we never notice. We should daily consider what the outcome of our life has been on the people around us.
When you live “worthy of the Gospel,” you will bring pride to your spiritual mentors, silence the opponents of the Gospel, and demonstrate the power of Jesus to save us and change us.
Those who live “worthy of the Gospel” will stand together for the Gospel, will strive together to share the Gospel, and will not allow fear to deter them.
If you truly believe the Gospel, your lifestyle is guaranteed to invite suffering, sacrifice, and opposition. Your perseverance through these challenges is evidence of true belief.
Suffering is a gift God gives us. If we receive it well, it will draw us closer to Jesus, make us look more like Jesus, and point others to Jesus.
Someone who lives a life worthy of the Gospel is convinced of their salvation through Jesus, connected to the people of Jesus, committed to follow Jesus through suffering, and courageous in the face of opposition.
GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF EVIL. HE IS THE EDITOR.
Several years ago I made the statement that “Everything we have is a gift from God.” I went on to suggest that even our life life’s circumstances (good and bad) are a gift from God. Later, I received a super kind email asking if I would explain that concept a little more. I think this is a pretty common issue that people wrestle with, so here are some excerpts from my answer to him.
Please understand that I am NOT writing this as an ivory tower theologian or as a behind-the-pulpit preacher. I am a fellow pilgrim who has seen the swamp of despair and has endured the abuse of Vanity city. I have days when I am certain God has given me a burden better suited for someone else, and yet those same days are often marked by unmistakable interventions of his gracious provision. My life’s journey is not resolved. In fact, it is decidedly unresolved and often I would be happy to give back the “gifts” God has deemed me worthy to receive….
Do I really believe that EVERYTHING is a gift from God? Am I saying that God is the author of evil?
I am absolutely not excusing the terrible actions of sinful people. Much of the suffering in our world is a direct result of terrible decisions being made by sinful people. However, while I believe God hates the pain which is present in our world, I don’t think that sin or the suffering it causes is surprising to God nor does it worry Him. I might not use the words “God caused it”, but I am comfortable saying God is “in control” of it.
I look at James 1 as one of the passages which really inform my perspective on this issue. I believe that the “good and perfect” gifts of James 1:17 are likely the trials of verse 2 (which lead to perseverance and completeness).
Like much of life, trials are best understood in the rear view mirror. Today’s life circumstances may not feel like a gift, but for those who faithfully endure, a fuller understanding of God’s goodness is waiting.
Joseph is a great example of this truth. I’m sure there were many points when his life situation didn’t feel like a gift. However, when he saved his family’s lives, he gained a completely new perspective on his past suffering.
I know you may deal with suffering and pain that is likely far beyond what Joseph did. I hate that. I think God hates that. I know He hates the sin that has caused that. Yet, I have full confidence that He is capable of intervening (beyond what we could imagine), and that He will use life’s darkest moments to bring glory to Himself and in so doing allow us to experience resolution and wholeness (in this life or the next).
God is not the author of evil, but He is the editor!
Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF
The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about holding on to belief:
- Revelation 2:10
- Hebrews 10:23
- Colossians 1:23
- Romans 1:16
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15
- Galatians 6:9
- 2 Timothy 4:7
Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:
What is your favorite song? Why do you like it?
What is a song that inspires you?
What is a song that comforts you?
Read Acts 16:16-40.
If you were Paul or Silas, how would you feel about being wrongfully thrown in prison. What would you say to the other prisoners or to the guards?
If you were convicted and imprisoned falsely, how would you feel about God? What would you say to Him?
What are some other ways (besides prison) that people seem to suffer undeservedly? When have you felt like you were suffering for something you didn’t do?
Why do you think Paul and Silas sang? What types of songs do you think they sang?
When the earthquake hit and the prison doors opened, why do you think Paul and Silas didn’t leave? Would it have been wrong for them to leave? Do you think they were simply looking out for the good of the jailer?
What was the ultimate result of their selflessness? Do you think we would see more people accept Christ if we acted more selflessly in the world? Why or why not? How might our response to suffering cause others to reconsider their opinion of Jesus?
How do you need to respond to this study? Is there someone you need to act more selflessly toward? Do you need to respond differently to suffering?
How can this group help you in this process?
PHILIPPIANS: Line by Line
1:26-30
27a. Only…
Paul is shifting gears from talking about himself (where he is, what he is doing, why he is doing it) to talking about the Philippians. He wants them to respond appropriately to what he has said. By leading with “only”, he is preparing them to hear something very important, something that should be a singular focus in their lives.
27b. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…
The gospel of Christ is that Jesus lived a sinless life, died an unjust death, and rose victoriously to claim victory over sin and death not only for himself but for all who believe in Him. Paul wanted the Philippians to live in a way that honored what Jesus had done for them. In other words, the way Jesus lived should impact the way we live. The fact that Jesus died for us should cause us to live for Him. The reality of Jesus’ resurrection should shape our daily words, attitudes, and decisions.
27c. … 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,
Paul wanted the Philippians faith to be legendary, so that he would hear about it even in Rome. He points out to them the formula for this kind of legendary faith. 1) they must “strive” for it. It takes consistent hard work. It doesn’t just happen. 2) they must strive together for it. We cannot follow Jesus on our own, we need to be in community with other believers who can encourage us and correct us as we go. 3) they must stand firm. There will be difficulties. There will be opportunities and temptations to quit. We must decide now that we will stand firm so that when the storms of life come, they do not shipwreck our faith.
28a. and not frightened in anything by your opponents.
Those who closely follow Jesus will always face opposition. The instructions from verse 27 are the antidote to fear. Keep working. Work together. Stand firm.
28b. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction,
Those who oppose the Gospel will, at the end of all things (the day of Christ), be opposed by God. When we stand firm and strive together in the face of opposition, we symbolize the future victory over evil that will one day be finalized by God. We are a warning of the judgment to come.
28c. but of your salvation, and that from God.
In verse 6, Paul said that God completes everything He starts. Our perseverance in the face of enemies is a part of that process. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, is saving us daily from the power of sin. He is the one who gives us the strength to stand firm and keep striving. However, as Paul has already pointed out, one of the primary ways He provides this strength is through His church. When we don’t connect with other believers, we cut ourselves off from one of the most easily accessible sources of God’s strength.
29. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
No one likes to hear this, but one of the ways God strengthens and saves us from the power of sin is through suffering. When we endure suffering, we are like Jesus, because no one endured more suffering than Him. But God uses that suffering to refine us and shape us so that our entire life will look more like Jesus.
30. engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
The Philippians watched Paul suffer. They saw him get thrown in jail unjustly. Now they are aware that he is once again suffering in prison. Paul is reminding them that God used that suffering for good and He will continue to use suffering for good. And if God used Paul’s suffering for good, He will use the Philippians suffering for good. Therefore, when they face opposition, they can confidently stand firm and strive together, because they know God is in control and has a good plan.
Lake Bible Notes 
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