THE PRIVILEGE OF SUFFERING FOR CHRIST

Passage: Philippians 1:27-30

Key verse: 29

NIV

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy(A) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm(B) in the one Spirit,[a] striving together(C) as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you(D) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(E) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(F) you saw(G) I had, and now hear(H) that I still have.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

27 Only (A)let your manner of life be (B)worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you (C)that you are standing firm in one spirit, with (D)one mind (E)striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is (F)a clear sign to them of their destruction, but (G)of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For (H)it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also (I)suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same (J)conflict that (K)you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. In a manner worthy of the gospel (27-28)

God doesn't promise anyone a trouble-free life. Anything can happen. But no matter what happens, we must conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Paul encourages us to contend as one man for the faith of the gospel. When opposition arises, we must not be frightened in any way. Fear makes people compromise or quarrel among themselves. We must stand firm and stand together. When we do, it is a sign to unbelievers that they will be destroyed and we will be saved--and that by God.

2. It has been granted to you to suffer (29-3

)

Everyone experiences some suffering and hardship at sometime in life. God grants believers the privilege of suffering for Jesus. Pointless suffering in the world makes us sorrowful and fatalistic; suffering for Jesus is suffering with Jesus. This enables us to know and love Jesus more, to grow in his image and to glorify God. Let us give our sufferings to Jesus and struggle in prayer to overcome our sufferings by faith.

Prayer: Lord, help me to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel; teach me to rejoice in suffering for Jesus.

One Word: In a manner worthy of the gospel