Conduct & Consolation

Philippians 1:27–2:4 (NKJV)

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Philippians 1:27-30

Paul follows up his writing about continuing in his work for the good of the Philippians. He said in verse 21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In response to his commitment to the church in Philippi, Paul charges the Christians there to let their conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. He calls them to behave in such a way that whether he is with them or not, he hears of their affairs that they are faithful, striving together for the faith, and are not terrified by their enemies. He tells them that they will be persecuted, and they will suffer, but there problems with the adversaries of the faith are simply a sign of their faithfulness to God and their true walk with Him. They may have the same conflict of whether to stay on earth or go to heaven, but they can be assured that their work on earth is God’s work and they will be sustained in the midst of their trouble.

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

Paul uses a litany of conditions that should be present in the church, and basically says that if any of these are true (consolation, comfort, fellowship, affection, mercy), then the Christian should be able to answer the call, fulfilling Paul’s joy by being willing to have the same love, unity, and like-mindedness as Paul. Avoid selfishness and conceit by being humble and esteeming others instead of yourself. Look out for the interests of others, and you will fulfill the will and purpose of Christ!