Philippians 1:19-30

1:19 | Paul constantly prays for his friends, but also counts on his friends to pray for him. This is the mutuality of prayer (Rom. 1:9; 15:30; Eph. 1:16; 6:10; 6:18-19; 1 Thess. 1:2; 3:10; 5:25; 2 Thess. 1:11; 3:1).

1:20 | Earnest expectations conveys the idea of watching for something so intently that one’s head turns away from everything else. Paul is truly focused on Christ (Rom. 14:8; Eph. 6:19-20).

1:21 | Most scholars consider this the key verse in the letter, since it clearly states Paul’s motive and his mission. No wonder his life had such power!

1:22-26 | Paul is caught between his desire and his duty. He is in the ultimate win/win situation in which he sees life and death as equally valuable. If he continues to live, he will come to know, love, and serve the Lord more fully and witness to more people. If he dies, he will completely, finally, and perfectly know Christ (Ps. 16:11; 2 Cor. 5:2,8; 2 Tim. 4;6).

1:27-30 | Paul addresses four areas that Christians should tend to as they live in this world:
1) Their conduct - acting worthy of the kingdom of heaven to which they rightfully belong as citizens of God’s household (Eph. 2:19; 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:12).
2) Their consistency - maintaining integrity and their testimony in spite of persecution and trial.
3) Their cooperation - remembering to strive together, like athletes against a common foe.
4) Their courage - facing persecution and enduring pain for the sake of Christ (2 Tim. 4:7).

1:27-28 | Conduct translates the Greek word politeou, which means “citizenship.” In Greek society before the conquest of Rome, the polis (city) was the largest political unit, and citizens belonged to a city in the same way that people today belong to their country. Christians are to live, not by distancing themselves from the culture in which they have been placed, but by serving as ambassadors of their true citizenship.

1:27 | Paul issues the challenge to stand fast in many letters (1 Cor. 16:13; Gal. 5:1; 1 Thess. 3:8; 2 Thess. 2:15). The image refers to the way Roman soldiers would lock their shields together, plant their feet, and present a solid, unified wall of resolution against the enemey.

1:28 | The Greek word translated terrified describes inward fear caused by an outward stimulus. This is an appropriate warning for the little band of Christians living in Philippi during a violent time in history.

1:30 | The Greek word translated conflict is the root of the English word agony, which describes the strenuous struggles of athletic contests (Acts 14:22; Col. 1:29; 2:1; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:12; 4:7; Heb. 10:32).