Philippians. 4:8. With other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
It was customary to have registers of citizenship, in which were entered the names of citizens, both natural and adopted. Heaven is represented as a city, and its inhabitants are registered. Some, who have not yet reached the heavenly city, are regarded as citizens on their way home. Their names are registered with the others. Such were the “fellow-laborers” to whom Paul refers in the text. See also Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Revelation 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27. When one was deprived of citizenship his name was erased from the roll of citizens. Reference may be found to this in Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28 and Revelation 3:5.