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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- 2 Th 1:5–6This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.
- Matt 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
- 2 Tim 2:11–12This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.
- Isa 51:7“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law: Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
- 1 Pet 4:12–14Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Rom 8:17and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
- Heb 13:6So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
- Isa 12:2Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Ps 68:19–20Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.
- 1 Th 2:2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.
- Luke 12:4–7“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- Luke 21:12–19But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
- Luke 3:6All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”
- Gen 49:18I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh.
- Isa 51:12“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass?
- Acts 4:19–31But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
- Acts 5:40–42They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- Ps 50:23Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
- Acts 28:28“Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, 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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