without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
Parallel translations
- WEB and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
- KJV And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.
- NLT Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
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
They should not be frightened by opponents; their courage signals the opponents' ruin and their own salvation from God. Fearless faith is a sign of God's saving work.
Overview
Standing firm without fear testifies against persecutors and confirms the believers' salvation. Both the destruction of the wicked and the deliverance of the faithful come "from God." Suffering courageously is thus evidence of grace, not defeat.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- 2 Tim 1:7–8For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- 2 Th 1:5–6All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
- Matt 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- 2 Tim 2:11–12This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
- Isa 51:7Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
- 1 Pet 4:12–14Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Rom 8:17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
- Heb 13:6So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
- Isa 12:2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
- Rev 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Ps 68:19–20Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah
- 1 Th 2:2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
- Luke 12:4–7I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Luke 21:12–19But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.
- Luke 3:6And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”
- Gen 49:18I await Your salvation, O LORD.
- Isa 51:12“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
- Acts 4:19–31But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
- Acts 5:40–42At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
- Ps 50:23He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rights his way, I will show the salvation of God.”
- Acts 28:28Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
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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 1:28 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
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