Limitless Word

Philippians 1:27

Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Philippians 1:27 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
  • KJV 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;
  • NKJV 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,
  • NASB Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
  • NLT Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Paul urges them to live as good citizens worthy of the gospel, standing firm and united. Conduct should match the message they believe.

Overview

The word for "way of life" evokes citizenship, fitting a Roman colony like Philippi: live as citizens of heaven. Whether present or absent, Paul wants to hear they stand firm "in one spirit" and strive together for the faith. Gospel worthiness shows itself in unity and steadfastness.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 40

  • Eph 4:1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
  • 1 Cor 16:13–14Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
  • 1 Cor 1:10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.
  • 2 Pet 3:14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
  • Phil 2:1–2Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
  • Col 1:10so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
  • Jude 1:3Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
  • 1 Th 4:1Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
  • Eph 4:3–6and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
  • Phil 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
  • Rom 12:4–5Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,
  • 1 Cor 12:12–31The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
  • 2 Cor 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
  • Jer 32:39I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
  • Acts 4:32The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
  • Phil 3:18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
  • Ps 133:1A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
  • 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
  • Rom 1:16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
  • Jas 3:18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
  • 2 Tim 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  • 2 Pet 3:11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
  • Eph 1:13And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
  • Acts 2:46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,
  • 2 Cor 4:4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
  • 3 Jn 1:3–4For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
  • Titus 2:10not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
  • Prov 22:23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
  • Matt 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
  • 1 Tim 1:11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
  • John 17:20–21I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
  • 1 Tim 1:19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.
  • Phlm 1:5because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
  • Acts 24:24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
  • Phil 2:24And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
  • Eph 1:15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
  • 1 Th 2:11–12For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
  • 1 Th 3:6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
  • Gal 1:7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
  • 2 Cor 9:13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (9)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Philippians videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Philippians 1:27YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on PhilippiansMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.

How Philippians 1:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.