Philippians 1:27.— From this verse to ch. Philippians 2:18. St. Paul presses upon the Philippians a perseverance and unanimity in the faith which he had taught them, notwithstanding the opposition that they met with on account of it; and withal, he urges them to be peaceable, and condescending to one another, and ready to perform all mutual good offices. This he inforces by various affecting considerations, and particularly that of the condescension of Christ, and his blessed reward; which he speaks of in very strong and lively terms.
There can be no doubt, that having their conversation worthy of the gospel of Christ, imports in general their living according to the direction of the gospel, and answerablyto the great favour vouchsafed them. See 1 Chronicles 1:10. Col 1:10. 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:1. But the latter part of this verse, together with the next, shews what he had here principally in view; namely, their continuing steadfast in the doctrine that he had taught them, concerning the liberty which God had granted them as Gentiles. The word rendered, Let your conversation be, signifies literally, "to behave as denizens of some city or corporation."