Philippians 1:27 kjv
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:27 nkjv
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Philippians 1:27 niv
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy 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 in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 1:27 esv
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 nlt
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.
Philippians 1 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 4:1 | I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called… | Walk worthy of your calling. |
| Col 1:10 | …that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God… | Walk worthy, pleasing God. |
| 1 Thes 2:12 | …and that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. | Walk worthy of God's calling. |
| Rom 13:13 | Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness… | Proper conduct, walk honorably. |
| Gal 5:25 | If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. | Walk according to the Spirit. |
| Matt 5:16 | Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. | Good works glorify God. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” | Holiness in all conduct. |
| 1 Cor 16:13 | Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. | Stand firm in faith. |
| Gal 5:1 | Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. | Stand fast in Christ's freedom. |
| Eph 6:11 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | Stand firm against evil. |
| 2 Thes 2:15 | Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. | Stand fast in taught truths. |
| Heb 10:23 | Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. | Hold fast to hope without wavering. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ… | Unity in diverse body of Christ. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. | Unity of mind and judgment. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-13 | For as the body is one and has many members… so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… | Unity in Spirit and body. |
| Eph 4:3-4 | …endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit… | Preserve unity of the Spirit. |
| Eph 4:13 | …till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God… | Unity unto full knowledge of Christ. |
| Jude 1:3 | Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. | Contend earnestly for the faith. |
| 1 Tim 6:12 | Fight the good fight of faith… | Fight the good fight. |
| 2 Tim 4:7 | I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. | Fight the good fight, keep faith. |
| Psa 133:1 | Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! | Blessedness of unity. |
| Rom 15:5-6 | Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another… that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God… | Like-mindedness for glorifying God. |
| Deut 6:4-9 | Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!… and these words… shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently… | Call to unified, heartfelt obedience. |
| Heb 12:1 | …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… | Christian life as a race. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation… | Gospel is God's power. |
Philippians 1 verses
Philippians 1 27 Meaning
This verse serves as a crucial exhortation from Paul, urging the Philippian believers to live consistently with the Christian faith, demonstrating a conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ. It calls them to spiritual unity and steadfastness, whether Paul is present or absent, so they might stand together in spirit and mind, striving collaboratively for the advancement and defense of the Christian faith embodied in the gospel message. It highlights Christian life as a communal witness and spiritual warfare.
Philippians 1 27 Context
Philippians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul while imprisoned, likely in Rome (around AD 60-62). The city of Philippi was a Roman colony, enjoying special privileges and its citizens were proud of their Roman identity and rights. This historical background is crucial, as Paul leverages the concept of "citizenship" (politeuesthe) to emphasize their superior heavenly citizenship in Christ. The church in Philippi was a beloved and generous community that had supported Paul. Despite their affection for Paul and for Christ, they faced external opposition (Phil 1:28-30) and potentially internal dissension, though not as severe as in other churches (e.g., mention of Euodia and Syntyche in Phil 4:2). In chapter 1, Paul shares his circumstances (imprisonment and advance of the gospel) and assures them that his suffering contributes to the gospel. Verse 27, therefore, serves as a direct call to action for the Philippians to maintain a life worthy of the gospel, particularly in the face of these challenges, regardless of Paul's personal presence or absence.
Philippians 1 27 Word analysis
- Only (Μόνον - Monon): An emphatic adverb meaning "only" or "nevertheless." It stresses that despite Paul's circumstances (life or death), their supreme concern must be living in a way that honors Christ's gospel. It shifts focus from Paul's situation to the Philippians' responsibility.
- let your conduct be (πολιτεύεσθε - politeuesthe): Derived from politeuomai, "to live as a citizen," "to conduct oneself," or "to behave as a free member of a community." In the context of Philippi (a Roman colony), this word strongly resonates with the believers' Roman citizenship. Paul elevates this to their spiritual citizenship, calling them to live in a manner consistent with their membership in God's kingdom and their rights and duties as heavenly citizens (cf. Phil 3:20). It signifies a public, visible display of their allegiance.
- as it is worthy (ἀξίως - axiōs): An adverb meaning "worthily," "in a manner befitting," "suitably." It implies living up to the high standard and profound truth of the gospel. Christian conduct must align with the inherent value and holiness of the good news.
- of the gospel of Christ (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou euangeliou tou Christou): "The good news of Christ." This refers to the core message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Their conduct must reflect this foundational truth, acting as living testimony to its transformative power.
- so that whether I come and see you or am absent: This clarifies the goal of their worthy conduct: Paul desires to hear positive reports regardless of his physical presence. It underscores their inherent responsibility, independent of external oversight, for the church to thrive even when its founder is away or incapacitated.
- I may hear of your affairs: Paul’s concern and earnest desire that the news he receives about them reflects their faithfulness and progress.
- that you stand fast (ὅτι στήκετε - hoti stēkete): From stēkō, "to stand firm," "to be steadfast." It is a strong military term, picturing soldiers holding their ground, refusing to retreat. This indicates unwavering commitment, especially in the face of opposition or spiritual warfare.
- in one spirit (ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι - en heni pneumati): Signifies deep, unified disposition or temperament among the believers. It could refer to the human spirit in unity of mind, or potentially to the unifying power of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual cohesion is vital for enduring challenges.
- with one mind (μιᾷ ψυχῇ - mia psychē): Literally "one soul" or "one life." Emphasizes psychological and volitional unity. It speaks to a shared purpose, passion, and single-minded dedication to Christ, avoiding internal strife.
- striving together (συναθλοῦντες - synathlountes): From synathlēo, "to contend together," "to struggle side-by-side," "to join in a contest or combat." This athletic or military metaphor describes active, united exertion for a common goal. It conveys vigorous, cooperative effort, acknowledging opposition.
- for the faith of the gospel (τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου - tē pistei tou euangeliou): Refers to the objective content of Christian belief – "the faith" that is received and proclaimed – rather than individual subjective belief. It's the system of truth taught in the gospel, which they must collectively defend and advance.
Philippians 1 27 Bonus section
The call for the Philippians to live "worthy of the gospel" is deeply intertwined with the theme of Christ's humility and exaltation presented later in Phil 2:5-11. The self-emptying example of Christ provides the model for the church's conduct, particularly in unity and service, demonstrating the very character of the gospel in their corporate life. The expectation for the church to synathlountes "strive together" has been historically understood as communal spiritual exertion, like a team in a vigorous competition, or a tightly-knit military unit advancing or defending a position. This imagery implies active engagement, sacrifice, and interdependence among believers. Their public witness in a Roman colony was a constant assertion of an alternative citizenship, carrying both privilege and peril, especially in a culture that valued conformity to the imperial cult.
Philippians 1 27 Commentary
Paul's primary concern in Philippians 1:27 is the believers' corporate conduct as the true citizens of God's heavenly kingdom. The powerful Greek word politeuesthe reminds Roman Philippian citizens that their ultimate allegiance is not to Caesar but to Christ. Their entire lifestyle – how they interact with each other and the world – must honor the good news they claim to believe. This "worthy conduct" is not merely personal piety but a communal display of unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment. Facing external opposition and internal potential for disunity, Paul calls them to stand firm as a cohesive spiritual army. This standing fast is a conscious, active posture, demonstrating inner strength. The phrases "in one spirit" and "with one mind" emphasize deep, intrinsic unity, moving beyond mere agreement to a profound common purpose, empowered by God’s Spirit. Their "striving together" suggests an ongoing, cooperative struggle for the advancement and protection of the Gospel's truths against all opposing forces. The focus is on the objective "faith of the gospel"—the body of revealed truth which they must both proclaim and defend. Thus, this verse encapsulates Christian life as a continuous, unified witness and combat for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, regardless of circumstances or the physical presence of leaders.