Therefore he means, “stand firm, bound together by the Holy Spirit.” But most commentators think Paul would not write of standing firm “in one spirit” without thinking of the Holy Spirit. Paul says literally that they must stand “in one spirit.” He might mean, stand firm as people of one spirit. Each one of these things relates to oneness.įirst, stand firm together. Whether Paul is released and visits the Philippians, or whether he stays locked up and only hears about them, there are three things he wants to know are true about them. Number two – stand together at all times. The church is strong when not only the privileges but also the responsibilities of that status are lived out. They’ve been recreated and given a new status as a citizen of heaven. The church will never be strong if Christians think they can step into its life when they want and step out of its life when they want.Ī Christian has handed their life over to God. They step into it and, when they need to, they step out of it. They talk about it, watch it, debate it, and feel pain or pleasure depending on whether their team wins. It’s not something for only certain days of the week, or when we’re at church or with Christians.
It’s not something we pick up when we have a spare moment or feel in the mood. When God’s people live as God’s people, the church is strong. Live who you really are, children of the king and citizens of his kingdom (Phil. When Paul is writing here, he uses politeuesthe very deliberately, not to say ‘live as true Roman citizens’ but ‘live as true gospel citizens’ – live out the responsibilities of being gospel people. It was a lofty status with privileges and responsibilities. When Paul says “conduct yourselves” he uses the Greek verb politeuesthe, and that means ‘behave as citizens.’ The people of Philippi were proud to be Roman citizens. “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” So, child of God, live like a child of God. More than that, he has made you his child. In other words, God has reached into your life and saved you. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (v. Number one – honor the gospel by the way you live.
I’m about to tell you how you must live and work together to be the kind of church the gates of hell really can’t prevail against. The NIV translates it “whatever happens.” Paul is saying that no matter what happens with me – whether I live or die – here is what you must do. He starts these next verses with the word “only,” but it’s written in a very emphatic form in Greek, so the meaning is above all or no matter what. Or will he be set free? And that would give him more opportunity to strengthen young churches like the one in Philippi. Will he be sentenced to death? That would be no bad thing for him personally, for he would go to be with Christ. Paul’s words here connect directly with everything he has already written about the outcome of his imprisonment. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. 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 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. Part of the answer – and perhaps part of the talk I’ll give at the conference – lies in what Paul says to the Philippians about elements of a strong, effective church.Ģ7 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. God’s church was meant to be so strong and so vigorous that no opposition could hold it back.īut, certainly in the west, the church today seems to suffer constant setbacks. It’s a real question for it’s a real puzzle.
That’s the title for a talk I’m giving soon at a conference.
The question at the top of this study intrigues me: ‘If the gates of hell can’t prevail against the church, why aren’t we doing better?’ If the Gates of Hell Can’t Prevail Against the Church, Why Aren’t We Doing Better? – Philippians 1:27-30 By: Northern Seminary
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