“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; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”
“Only worthily of the gospel of the Christ live-as-citizens, in-order-that whether coming and seeing you, whether being absent, I-am-hearing the (things) concerning you, that you are standing-firm in one spirit, with one soul, together-contending for-the faith of-the gospel, and not being-scared in anything by the opposing-ones, which is to-them aclear-evidence of-destruction, but of-your salvation, and this from God.”
In our last meditation we saw that the Apostle weighed up the question as to whether he should depart and be with Christ, which is much more better, or whether he should remain: and as it was more needful for the saints that he should remain, he knew he would do so.
Lord, if Thou wilt, I’ll tarry here,
To serve Thy people in their need;
To help the weak, the mourners cheer,
Thy ransomed flock to tend and feed;
To guard them from the beasts of prey:
For this I’d be content to stay.
Lord, I would still on earth abide,
If I may preach Thy gracious Word;
Proclaim Thy Christ, once crucified,
Exalted as the Savior-Lord;
Warn sinners from the wrath to flee,
And win their wandering hearts to Thee.
Lord, if by grace I may abide
A fruitful branch in Thee, the Vine;
Thy Father’s name be glorified
In any works, or words of mine;
I’d count it… suffer what I may
My joy and privilege to stay.
Yes, Lord! though to depart were gain,
For then I should behold Thy face,
Leaving behind all grief and pain,
And glory crown the work of grace;
Yet not my will, but Thine be done:
I’ll tarry, till my course is run.
Verse 27 really begins a new subject: exhortations to the saints. The first exhortation is to behave in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, and this includes steadfastness, even in the face of suffering and danger, as we shall see in the remaining verses of our chapter.
Though it is a new subject, yet the word “only,” with which verse 27 begins, links it up with what goes before. “Only,” whatever happens ... the one thing that really matters ... whether present or absent from you ... “only” behave worthily of the gospel of Christ. The literal meaning of the word translated “behave” is: “live-as-citizens,” though it is not wrong to translate it, “behave,” or, “conduct yourselves” (vs. 27). We must, however, remember that Philippi was a Roman colony, and its citizens were Roman citizens: it has been spoken of as “a colony of Rome.” And the citizens were very proud of this privilege, and sought to walk worthy of it. I think the Apostle had this in mind as he wrote: and in chapter 3:20, he uses the same word, but as a noun: “Your citizenship is in Heaven.” “You are a ‘colony of Heaven’”. The Philippian saints would readily understand the Apostle’s meaning. They would know that he was not exhorting them to live worthily as citizens of Rome, or Philippi: but as citizens of Heaven.
I feel very keenly the importance of this admonition, for it is so easy to make a high profession, but not to walk worthy of the profession we make: it is so easy to say we are citizens of Heaven, but to behave as citizens of earth. In a letter from a brother this week, he remarks that hymn “Number 212 is not so comfortably sung sometimes.” Number 212 begins:
“Called from above, and heavenly men by birth
(Who once were but the citizens of earth),
As pilgrims here, we seek a heavenly home,
Our portion in the ages yet to come.”
I believe he is right: and it is well that these lines should challenge us, and search our inmost souls: for, how easy it is to live as if we still were “citizens of earth.”
And the Spirit of God presses home on us this need to behave in a worthy way.
How important that we walk worthily of the new relationship and position into which we have been called. When little Moses was drawn out from the waters of death, and was changed from a slave child to the son of Pharoah’s daughter; it was needful for him to walk worthily of his new position. There would be many things that were right and proper for other Israelite children to do, which he could not do: because such things would be unworthy of the king’s court, and of his adopted mother, and grandfather, the king. So is it with us. May we in very truth walk worthily of the gospel of Christ, live down here as citizens of Heaven! May we act worthily of saints: walk worthily of our calling, worthily of our Lord, worthily of God! What a high standard! Who is sufficient for these things? Our sufficiency is of God.
The Apostle John could say: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 44I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 4)). The Apostle Paul is of the same mind, as he tells us of his longing desire, “whether coming and seeing you, whether being absent, I am hearing the things concerning you, that you are standing-firm in one spirit, with one soul together contending with (or, for) the faith of the gospel.” The English word “stand” is used to translate at least seven different Greek words, each with its own shade of meaning: and in this case, “standing-firm” is an effort to bring out the special force of this particular Greek word. It is said to have the meaning of standing firm, or standing fast, and not giving ground. It is a favorite word of Paul, and has something of a military tone in it: a regiment of soldiers standing firm, and refusing to retreat. In John’s Gospel it is used twice: first of our Lord, in 1:26: “There standeth One among you, whom ye know not.” What an example of standing firm do we see as we trace the footsteps of our Lord and Savior through this world.
“In scorn, neglect, reviling,
Thy patient grace stood fast;
Man’s malice unavailing
To move Thy heart to haste.”
The second time is in 8:44: where our Lord says to the Jewish leaders: “Ye are of your father the devil.... he stood not in the truth.” What a contrast! May God help us to follow our Lord, and “stand fast.” An old brother once said to me: “All giving up is of the devil.” That is what this verse in John tells us. In 1 Cor. 16:1313Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13), we are called to “stand fast in the faith” (vs. 27); in Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1), to “stand fast...in the liberty”; in Philippians 4:11Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1), and 1 Thess. 3:88For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:8), to “stand fast in the Lord” (ch. 4:1). In 2 Thess. 2:1515Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (2 Thessalonians 2:15), we are to “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught” (2 Thess. 2:1515Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)). We meet the word also in Mark 3:3131There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. (Mark 3:31) & 11:25, and Rev. 12:44And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4): not elsewhere in the New Testament.
These uses will help us to understand the great force there is in the word in the passage before us: “standing-firm in one spirit.” Do not give ground an inch! “With one soul together-contending for the faith of the gospel.” The word “contending” is from the Greek word from which we get our English word “athlete.” To this is added another word, meaning “together,” making only one word in Greek. The thought is, I believe, of a team, like a football team; or, a regiment of soldiers, who “together-contend” in a desperate struggle. They must have one spirit and one soul: and though there may be many persons, they work together as one. This was what the Apostle wished to hear about the dear Philippian saints. I wonder what he would say if he saw us today! The marginal reading of Zeph. 3:99For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. (Zephaniah 3:9) is “to serve Him with one shoulder.” This illustrates Philippians 1:2727Only 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): “standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, together contending for the faith of the gospel.” This seems to illustrate the thought very beautifully: may we, Beloved, know more of what it is “to serve Him with one shoulder.” In Acts 4:3232And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:32), we read: “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul”. In Acts 2:4646And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (Acts 2:46), we read of “singleness of heart” (Eph. 6:55Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (Ephesians 6:5)) (Col. 3:2222Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22)). We know what these passages mean: may we know also what it means “to serve Him with one shoulder!”
This is the second time we have the word “gospel” in this 27th verse: “worthily of the gospel,” “with, (or, for) the faith of the gospel” (vs. 27). (Mr. W. Kelly says it is “with the faith of the gospel,” rather than, “for the faith of the gospel”: though perhaps it may have both meanings). The gospel is looked at as contending against all the wickedness and worldliness and coldness around, and we are together to contend along with it. Dr. Vaughan puts it “sharing the contest of the faith of the gospel,” and perhaps that expresses the thought well. In 2 Tim. 1:88Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:8), we read: “Suffer evil along with the gospel.”
We need these exhortations today just as truly as the Philippian saints and Timothy needed them in days gone by. May God help us to press the battle home, to learn to “share the contest,” never to give ground, and if need-be suffer evil along with the gospel.
But there is more. We are not to be “scared in anything by the opposing ones.” The word translated “scared” is a remarkable word, and used only here in the New Testament. The original meaning is a shy, timid horse, frightened of something. In these days of motor cars, I suppose few of my readers know anything about this: but you who are older, and who have, perhaps, had experience driving such a horse, will understand exactly the Apostle’s meaning. It may be only a shadow, or the whistle of a train, or some other thing that could not possibly hurt it, as long as the driver has control: but the horse gets scared, and then it is no good for the work it is supposed to do, until it settles down again. I am reading a grand book just now: “D’Aubigne’s History of the Reformation.” My father read parts of it aloud to us children, when I was eight years old, and I still can remember the thrill of it. We see some wonderful examples of Christian courage in this book. When Luther was summoned to stand before the Council at Worms: and his friends did their utmost to persuade him not to go, as they were sure it meant death; he replied, “Even although there were as many devils at Worms as there are tiles upon the roofs, I would enter it.” Zwingli, in Switzerland, when threatened by all the civilian and ecclesiastical wrath, was asked if he was not frightened, and he replied, with noble scorn, “I dread them.... as the rock-bound shore dreads the threatening billows.... with God!” Another has said: “How depressing to the enemy is the endurance of the saints.”
It is of the utmost importance “that we should keep up in our souls good courage in face of the foe, and confidence in God, not only for our own sake but for others. There is no testimony more gracious, nor more solemn to our adversaries” (W.K.) Do you not think it was the courage and grace of Stephen that were the first links of the chain that won that terrible “opposer,” Saul of Tarsus?
“Opposing ones,” or “opposers,” is the translation of a word meaning literally, “to be set over against.” It is used of the relation between the Spirit and the flesh, in Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17): “They are opposed one to the other.” There are many today who are opposed to the gospel. Don’t be scared of them! Don’t be frightened! When they see you are not frightened, it will be clear evidence, absolute proof, to them of destruction: but for you of the final triumph of the gospel over all the opposing ones, and over all that the opposing ones can do: and this triumph is of God, not by us. It may mean suffering, as we will, God willing, see in our next meditation: but remember there is a power that can make even suffering sweet.
“And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.”
(Martin Luther)
Be of Good Cheer (Matt. 9:2, 22; 14:272And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)
22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (Matthew 9:22)
27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Matthew 14:27); Mark 6:5050For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. (Mark 6:50); Luke 8:4848And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:48); John 16:3333These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33); Acts 23:1111And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11)).