The gospel is not only to be believed, but lived!
Conduct Worthy of the Gospel
The theme of the letter (Phil 1:27)
• “Only let your conduct (politeuomai) be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27)
• Friberg, “lit. live as a citizen, have one's citizenship or home; fig. in the NT, of how one lives as belonging to God's kingdom, live, behave, conduct oneself.” Louw-Nida, “to conduct oneself with proper reference to obligations in relationship to others, as part of some community.” And this is what he's applying to the church.
• Phil 3:20, “our citizenship is in heaven,” politeuma (as noun, same word).
• What is he teaching them? What is living as a citizen worthy of the gospel? 1:5, 1:9, 2:1, etc.
• It is joining together, living for Christ and for each other: 1:7, 1:27, 2:2, 2:17-18, 2:22, 2:25, 3:10, 3:17, 3:21, 4:14, and 4 times in 4:3.
Application: We need to reject individualism.
• “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5ff).
Example #1: Paul Himself
• “Brethren, join in following my example … you have us for a pattern” (Phil 3:17): 1:1, 1:21ff, 2:17, 4:9.
• Compare the selfish preachers who serve their own ambition and afflict others (1:16-18).
Example #2: The Philippians Themselves
• 4:10, 4:14, …
• He tells about them in 2Cor 8:2-5.
Conclusion: Why was this important for them all?
1:27, because of their adversaries. These people needed to stand together against the pressures of society. Eph 3:12ff. |
