Philippians 3:20 kjv
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 3:20 nkjv
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20 niv
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20 esv
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20 nlt
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Philippians 3 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:27 | Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ... | Christian conduct's heavenly origin |
| Phil 3:18 | For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with weeping, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. | Contrast with earthly mindedness |
| 1 Cor 1:7 | awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Awaiting Christ's second coming |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | ...we implore you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God. | Ambassadors for Christ's kingdom |
| Eph 2:6 | ...and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, | Heavenly seating in Christ |
| Eph 2:12 | ...that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel... | Gentile's alienation and inclusion |
| Eph 2:19 | ...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, | Citizens of God's household |
| Eph 3:14-15 | ...from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, | Divine fatherhood and family |
| Eph 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. | Holy Spirit as seal of redemption |
| Heb 3:1 | therefore, holy brothers, who share in a heavenly calling... | Partakers of a heavenly calling |
| Heb 11:13 | These all died in faith, not receiving what was promised, but having seen it from afar... | Faith of patriarchs seeing heavenward |
| Heb 11:16 | But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. So God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. | Desire for a heavenly country |
| Heb 12:22-23 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... | Heavenly Jerusalem and worship |
| 1 Pet 1:4 | to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, | Heavenly inheritance in believers |
| 1 Pet 2:11 | Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles... | Believers as sojourners and exiles |
| 2 Pet 3:13 | But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. | New Heavens and New Earth promise |
| Rev 3:12 | The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God... | New Jerusalem coming from heaven |
| Rev 21:1-3 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... | New Heavens and New Earth and New Jerusalem |
Philippians 3 verses
Philippians 3 20 Meaning
Our citizenship is in heaven, from where we eagerly await Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Philippians 3 20 Context
Philippians 3 focuses on Paul's fervent pursuit of Christ. He contrasts his own past Jewish heritage and self-righteousness with the supreme value of knowing Christ. Paul warns against false teachers ( Judaizers) who insisted on legalistic observance, especially circumcision, for salvation. He himself had "circumcision of the flesh" but later recognized that true righteousness comes from faith in Christ. The chapter builds towards a statement of believers' ultimate hope. This verse anchors that hope, declaring that our true home and allegiance are in heaven, and from there, we anticipate Christ's return. The Philippian believers faced their own trials and the influence of those with "earthly minds," making this reminder of their heavenly citizenship crucial for endurance.
Philippians 3 20 Word Analysis
- Our (hēmōn): Possessive pronoun indicating belonging or association to the believers addressed. It signifies a shared identity.
- citizenship (politeuma): Refers to the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen; the governing body or community of citizens. It speaks of a formal membership in a polis (city-state). It carries a weighty sense of belonging and participation in the life and affairs of that community. This word was also used in the ancient world for the governing council or ruling body of a city.
- is (huparchō): Present tense of "to exist" or "to be," indicating a continuous reality and a foundational truth about the believers.
- from (ek): A preposition denoting origin, source, or out of which something comes. It points to the location or basis of this citizenship.
- heaven (ouranōn): The sky, the atmosphere, or, in a theological sense, the dwelling place of God and the realm of spiritual reality. It represents the ultimate spiritual reality, the presence of God.
- in which (houtine): Relative pronoun linking the "heaven" to the anticipation that follows.
- we (hēmeis): First-person plural pronoun, encompassing the apostle Paul and the believers he addresses, uniting them in their expectant hope.
- await (apekdéchomai): A strong verb meaning to await eagerly, to expect with keen anticipation, to look for with persistent hope. It implies active waiting and longing.
- as (hōs): Adverb meaning "in the manner of" or "like," introducing the person being awaited.
- Savior (Sōtēros): Christ Jesus, who delivers from sin and its consequences, and who will complete our redemption.
Word Group Analysis
- Our citizenship is from heaven (hēmōn politeuma ex ouranōn): This phrase is central. It defines the primary identity and allegiance of believers not by earthly nations or affiliations but by their union with Christ in God's heavenly realm. It means their spiritual home and political structure is in heaven. This concept is fundamental to understanding Christian identity as distinct from worldly belonging. It signifies belonging to God's heavenly city, not earthly ones.
- from which we await (ex houtine hēmeis apekdéchomai): This connects the heavenly citizenship directly to the anticipated coming of Christ. The origin of our hope is our heavenly reality, and this hope is actively expressed in our waiting for Jesus. It's not passive resignation, but an engaged expectation.
- as Savior (hōs Sōtēros): Specifies who is awaited and what His coming signifies – the completion of salvation. Christ is the object of this eager expectation because He is our ultimate deliverer and the source of our eternal hope and final redemption.
Philippians 3 20 Bonus Section
The Greek word politeuma used here (Philippians 3:20) is significant. It can refer to the body of citizens, a community, or the constitution or form of government of a city. In this context, it implies more than just residence; it signifies full membership, participation, and a shared way of life with the inhabitants of heaven. This contrasts sharply with the "earthly minds" of those described earlier in the chapter (Phil 3:19). Believers, by their union with Christ, are part of God's divine commonwealth. Their "legal" status and the ultimate authority they recognize are from heaven, not earth. This concept of belonging to an otherworldly "city" (Heb 11:16) profoundly affects how one lives, what values are prioritized, and where ultimate security is found.
Philippians 3 20 Commentary
Believers' ultimate allegiance and identity are not earthly but heavenly. Our true homeland is in God's presence. This reality shapes our present life by directing our gaze and longing towards Christ's return, where our salvation will be fully realized. We are citizens of heaven, actively and eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who will complete our transformation and bring us fully into God's eternal kingdom. This is not merely a statement of future hope but a present redefinition of identity that empowers believers to live distinct lives in the world, anchored in their heavenly calling and future inheritance.