Philippians 1:27
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;
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολιτεύεσθε
let your conversation be
G4176
πολιτεύεσθε
let your conversation be
Strong's:
G4176
Word #:
7 of 31
to behave as a citizen (figuratively)
ἐλθὼν
I come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
I come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
10 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
see
G1492
ἰδὼν
see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
affairs
G4012
περὶ
affairs
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
20 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
στήκετε
ye stand fast
G4739
στήκετε
ye stand fast
Strong's:
G4739
Word #:
21 of 31
to be stationary, i.e., (figuratively) to persevere
πνεύματι
spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
24 of 31
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ψυχῇ
mind
G5590
ψυχῇ
mind
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
26 of 31
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
συναθλοῦντες
striving together
G4866
συναθλοῦντες
striving together
Strong's:
G4866
Word #:
27 of 31
to wrestle in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to seek jointly
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
for the faith
G4102
πίστει
for the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
29 of 31
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
Cross References
Ephesians 4:1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.1 Corinthians 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.Colossians 1:10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;Jude 1:3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.Philippians 2:12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.Acts 4:32And 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.Psalms 133:1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Historical Context
Philippi's status as Roman colony (colonia) granted citizens ius Italicum—they were legally Romans living abroad. Paul subverts this by calling them to gospel-citizenship (cf. 3:20, "our citizenship is in heaven"). First-century churches faced external persecution and internal division; Paul's call to unified witness addressed both. Synathlountes evokes Greco-Roman athletic contests and military drills—shared struggle for common cause.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your 'citizenship' conduct reveal whether Rome (or your nation) or heaven is your ultimate polis?
- What would 'striving together' for the gospel look like practically in your church or community?
- Are you living in a manner 'worthy of the gospel' when Paul (or your pastors) are absent?
Analysis & Commentary
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ (Μόνον ἀξίως τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ πολιτεύεσθε, Monon axiōs tou euangeliou tou Christou politeu esthe)—Monon ("only, above all") gives priority. Politeuesthe ("conduct yourselves as citizens") is political language, especially potent in Philippi, a Roman colony proud of its citizenship. Paul redefines citizenship around gospel allegiance, not Roman identity. Axiōs ("worthily, in a manner worthy") demands conduct matching gospel values.
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 (ἵνα...στήκετε ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι, μιᾷ ψυχῇ συναθλοῦντες τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, hina...stēkete en heni pneumati, mia psychē synathlountes tē pistei tou euangeliou)—Stēkete ("stand firm") is military. Synathlountes ("striving together, contending as athletes") combines athletic imagery with gospel mission. Unity (en heni pneumati, mia psychē) is essential for effective witness.