Paul Thus Calls On Them To Stand Firm In The Face of Whatever Life May Bring, Especially In The Way Of Persecution, So That Their Lives Might Be Worthy Of The Gospel (Philippians 1:27-30).
This opening section of the passage (Philippians 1:27-30) balances neatly with the closing section of the passage (Philippians 2:17-18) in that both lay emphasis on service and suffering, two things which lie at the very heart of the Gospel, and something which is fully exemplified in Christ as the supreme example of service and suffering (Philippians 2:5-11). It is in the light of this last that they are to live lives as citizens ‘worthy of the Gospel of Christ', walking in His footsteps and demonstrating their love for one another. By this means they will clearly reveal the genuineness of their own salvation, and the certain final destruction of their pagan enemies who rebel against such an idea, and reveal it by despising or rejecting believers. Thus will they fulfil his hopes and prayers for them as expressed in Philippians 1:3-11.
Analysis.
a Only let your manner of life as citizens be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).
b And in nothing affrighted by the adversaries (Philippians 1:28 a).
c Which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God (Philippians 1:28 b).
b Because to you it has been granted on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer on his behalf (Philippians 1:29).
a Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Philippians 1:30).
Note that in ‘a' he speaks of their need to ‘stand fast', and of their ‘striving' for the faith of the Gospel, while in the parallel he likens their position to his own as he is doing the same. In ‘b' they are not to be frightened by their adversaries, while in the parallel he points out that this is because they know that they are suffering for Christ. Centrally in ‘c' he points out that the opposition both brings destruction on their opponents, and also demonstrates that they themselves are experiencing the salvation of God and vindication from God (compare Philippians 1:19).