Near the end of our text today, Paul will turn and begin to urge the Philippians to let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. That exhortation frames this entire section (Phil. 1:27). Paul's attitudes and perspectives were a model for those Philippian believers to emulate. They should serve as a model for advancing gospel communities today. In this section, we find one of the most vulnerable, personal, and astounding self-disclosures in the Bible. It comes close to Jesus' prayer to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane in its transparency and feeling, a true mountaintop expression of the inner workings of the Apostle Paul's heart.
Paul is revealed here as a man who joyfully celebrated gospel expansion, even if it came at great personal cost, and who oriented his life toward Christ, even if it led him into peril. He looked around at his chains and concluded that God had providentially used his misery to bring the gospel to new frontiers. He looked ahead to his possible execution and concluded that if he died, it would be gain, but that if he lived, it would be all about Christ. And after these key insights into the manner of Paul's life were revealed, Paul urged them on the manner of their lives—worthy of the gospel. So the question we ought to ask of this passage is simple: how did Paul live worthy of the gospel? The answers to that question will answer another question: how can we live worthy of the gospel?
1. By Joyfully Celebrating Gospel Expansion No Matter the Cost (1:12-18a)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:12–18a, ESV)
First, we live worthy of the gospel by joyfully celebrating its expansion no matter the cost. This point flows from Paul's vantage point in prison. It is at this point of the letter that we begin to learn about Paul's situation; it is clear Paul was imprisoned, but he felt his imprisonment was for Christ (1:13). He felt it was simply another door Jesus had opened for him, that what happened to him really served to advance the gospel because the whole imperial guard got to hear it as a result of watching Paul under house arrest (1:12-13). One can only imagine how quickly each guard felt that they, not Paul, were the true captives as he treated them as his captive audience while he shared Christ with them. And we suspect many of them came to Christ as a result.
Paul felt his chains had provided opportunities he never would have received unless he'd been chained. And he was thankful to Jesus for those new open doors. What opportunities has God given you as a result of your situation? What terrible trials have come into your life that might give you an open door with a hurting pocket of our community that could not be reached by someone who hasn't endured such pains? And who are you stuck with? Better said, who is stuck with you, your own captive audience?
But Paul knew that his chains produced more than an opportunity for him—he saw how his imprisonment produced great boldness in others. Paul's trial stirred up other believers; perhaps his joy despite his imprisonment helped them realize they would be fine as well, or perhaps they were merely inspired by his sacrifice and motivated to do their part to carry the gospel to their community.
Either way, Paul was encouraged that his trial and the way he responded to it had lit a fire under the Christians living nearby. He rejoiced that he could serve as an inspiration to the brothers (1:14). His letter would go on to inspire the Philippians and billions of Christians over time. What about you? Could you respond to trials and pains in a way that inspires others? Could you take the opportunity to glorify God and promote the gospel in a way that gives others courage?
Paul also recognized that while his chains inspired some, his life produced all manner of jealousy in others. He said some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will, a confusing statement meaning some preach Christ with the wrong motives (1:15). Many have difficulty in identifying this group, thinking they might be Paul's classic opponent: Judaizers who wanted to add Mosaic law to the gospel. But Paul mentions them later. Here, he declares that this group is proclaiming Christ; it's just that it's out of selfish ambition, intentionally bringing affliction onto Paul during his imprisonment (1:17).
These aren't Judaizers with a false gospel but immature ministers who are preaching the true gospel with bad motives. They appear jealous of Paul's influence, so they try to use his imprisonment as an opportunity to gain a following of their own. This used to shock me, but the more I've done gospel work, the less it does. Most pastors and gospel workers I know are not in it to build their platform, name, or kingdom, but some are. Those folks are power-hungry and use ministry as a way to gain the attention their heart desires.
Paul's response, however, is shocking. He said, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice" (18). Even though their character was terrible and they stepped all over him, Paul was happy the gospel was going out. It's as if Paul was saying, "It's not about us. It's about the gospel advancing." All Paul cared about, ultimately, was that the gospel would expand throughout the world, and he saw God providentially using even the worst situations and motivations to accomplish that goal—and for that, he rejoiced.
2. By Orienting Life in the Right Direction (1:18b-25)
So Paul joyfully celebrated gospel expansion no matter what—even if it required him to be chained, he wanted the gospel to go to the whole world—but he felt like way because he had oriented his life in the right direction. Since I don't want you to miss his point, rather than read the entire next paragraph, I will slowly walk you through it.
In 1:18, Paul rejoiced that even if some preachers were envious of him, the gospel went out. Then he shifted and gave another reason for rejoicing:
18b Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
What Paul means here is that he will pre-celebrate the deliverance that their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit would provide (1:19). The Greek word Paul used for deliverance (soteria) is often used to describe eternal salvation, and, of course, Paul would have realized that even if he was sentenced to death, he would be eternally saved by God. On the other hand, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Paul hoped their prayers would lead to God's mercy and that he would be set free from his prison cell. He will go on to make it sound like he anticipated that type of deliverance, but it is also clear that death was a possibility for Paul.
It is noteworthy to see how Paul felt about their prayers. He thought they would lead to his deliverance and the increased aid of Christ's Spirit in his life. Though he appears unsure just what type of deliverance their prayers would generate, he was confident they would generate some type of deliverance. Even his statement about deliverance is a clue that he was willing to suffer if need be because Paul's phrasing—this will turn out for my deliverance—appears to be a direct quotation of Job 13:16, where Job utters these words amid intense suffering and a struggle understand why God allowed him to endure such hardship. Paul knew he was not suffering because he had sinned in some way, but for a reason, and the reason he found there in Rome was gospel expansion.
Whatever came Paul's way, whether a conviction that led to a death sentence or a declaration of innocence that led to his freedom, he earnestly hoped he would face either option with nothing but full courage (1:20). Whether he lived or died, he wanted Christ to be honored in his body (1:20). This led him to declare:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Here is the crescendo of his point. It is a simple statement, but I will remind you Paul is not writing sentimental greeting card statements. Though it would be wonderful if every Christian at all times could say with Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," we cannot. Paul is saying that his entire purpose and meaning are found in Christ. He did not simply live for Christ, but Christ was the essence and motivation of his existence. Christ was his oxygen, the one without whom life was impossible. Christ was his key, the one who unlocked meaning and purpose beyond his wildest dreams. Christ was his spark, the one whose flames consumed more and burned brighter as life moved on. Christ was a seed, the one who was implanted within Paul and was now producing overwhelming orchards of righteousness. Christ was his sun—he had risen upon Paul's heart on the road to Damascus but was only brightening to noonday strength within this man. Christ was his new song, the one who started a never-ending melody in Paul's soul. Christ was everything to Paul, so to live is Christ.
But to die is gain. Why? Because death would put Paul in the glorious presence of the One he centered his life upon. He did not think of death as gain because it would put him in paradise, the ultimate all-inclusive vacation package, but because it would put him most fully with the One he loved. If Rome truly decided to take his life, Paul knew it would release him into the ultimate deliverance and bring him into glory. For him, death would be a material profit or advantage because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8). And one could say this was especially true of Paul because his life was a rigorous parade of sacrifice, hardship, and pain for the cause of Christ. One cannot read his ministry credentials listed in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 without concluding that his death would serve as sweet relief. For Paul, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I used to think every true believer could at least agree with the last part of Paul's statement. Even if our lives have not really been lived for or centered upon Christ in any meaningful way, if the blood has redeemed us, we will enter into his presence when we die. As Paul said elsewhere, everything about our lives might burn in the light of eternity, but we will be saved (1 Cor. 3:10-15). I am beginning to wonder, however, if that view is correct. Yes, even the carnal believer who is covered by the blood of the Son will gain much at death, but they will also lose quite a bit. If life is pointed toward the false gods of prosperity or sex or career or any number of things, our death will be a moment of loss because those lesser things will all fade away. Technically, yes, if we are in Christ, death will be a net gain, but if our lives are oriented upon Christ now, death will be nothing but gain for us because it will bring us most completely into what we've wanted all along—Christ!
After making such a glorious declaration, Paul went on to reveal his inner turmoil.
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
It's as if Paul felt he had a decision to make—to live or to die. In reality, the decision was fully out of his hands, but this paragraph reveals his inner dialogue. *If I remain alive, I will get to participate further in gospel expansion—fruitful labor!—but if I die I will get to be with Christ, and that is far better (1:22-23). What do the Philippians need? I can still help them if I remain alive, I am convinced of it, so I will remain and continue with them. I will help them make progress and have joy as Christians. I will give that church every reason to celebrate that I did not die but visited them once again (25-26).*
Notice how Paul's decision to orient and find his entire life in Christ shaped him to become like Christ. Everything Paul concludes is so Jesus-y, so incarnational. It was the Son of God who chose to abandon the glory of heaven to come to save us on earth, and Paul is emulating Jesus a little when he longs to delay the glory of heaven to stay a bit longer on earth to help a few more people find Jesus. His deference is not only moving, it's Christlike. He had become like the one he worshipped.
Again, none of this self-revelation exists to satisfy our curiosity. What was Paul thinking about while in prison? What did he think would happen? Instead, it is all here to help us build our lives more fully and completely upon Christ and his word. It is here to help us orient our lives more full upon our Lord.
To wrap up the idea of building our lives more fully and completely upon Christ and His word, consider the parable Jesus told about the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. He described two men: one builds his house on rock, the other on sand. When storms come, only the house on the rock stands. Jesus explained that the wise builder represents those who hear his words and act on them, while the foolish builder hears but does not obey.
Like Paul, who oriented his entire life on Christ, we are called to build on the solid foundation of Jesus. No matter the trials or difficulties, a life rooted in Christ will remain firm because its foundation is unshakable. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Let us be those wise builders, living for Christ and firmly anchored in His word.
3. By Practicing Their New Citizenship (1:26-30)
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:27–30, ESV)
So worthy gospel living joyfully celebrates gospel expansion no matter the cost and orients life in the right direction, but it also, finally, practices new citizenship. I get this concept from the word Paul used for "manner of life" (Greek: politeuomai) as it carries the idea of living as a good citizen, something that would have resonated with these Philippians living in their Roman Colony, priding themselves on their Roman citizenship. But Paul is not really calling them to be good citizens of the Empire, but good citizens of a greater kingdom—the kingdom of God. Later in Philippians, Paul declares, "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20). It is a bold statement in any political climate, but in Paul's day, when the worship of the Roman Emperor was beginning to arise, and people had to declare him Lord, it was hugely subversive for Christians to declare a different kingdom and Lord. But this is what Paul seems to ask for here—lives that are worthy of that new citizenship, worthy of the gospel (1:27).
It is fascinating how easily and wisely Paul connected conduct (manner of life) to the gospel (1:27). Far from being a message that removes all obligations from its adherents, the gospel is a demanding message because, once it is truly understood and ingested, it compels its adherents to give their all to God. There is not one square inch of life that is off limits to our Lord if the gospel is true. And though the lower motivations to obey God exist—motivations such as the wrath of God, the law of God, and practical wisdom—the highest motivation is the gospel. Once we comprehend a sliver of what he has done for us, we will want to give our everything back to him.
What Paul wanted for the Philippian church is that they would operate as a unified people—one spirit and one mind—who fought side by side for gospel expansion (1:27). He believed that Jesus willingly endured the agony of the cross to tear down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile and that his blood is the agent that creates a new humanity under God, so, of course, he believed the little ol' Philippian church should be unified. And not just as a peaceful group, but a group at war—the side by side imagery Paul used came from the battlefield, soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder in warfare, unyielding in the face of their opponents (1:28).
It's true. The gospel unifies people together, and then that group of people can remain unified if they keep gospel expansion as their mission. But the second a church gets into silly secondary causes and tertiary pursuits, unity evaporates, and let the games begin! On the other hand, if a church stays focused on its mission and is fearless (not frightened) about it, even those who oppose (your opponents) the gospel will wonder if their message is true. And staying on task, focused on the gospel mission we've been given, helps us when we face the inevitable suffering we will endure for Jesus' sake (1:29). Without a mission, suffering seems rather pointless, but with a mission, even chains have a point, putting us in the same conflict Paul and the first-century church engaged in thousands of years ago (1:30).
All this nudges us in the direction of a new citizenship—a heavenly one—that we must live from in order to live worthy of the gospel. No other message on earth is as powerful as the gospel. It takes us and transfers us from darkness to light, bondage to freedom, and decay to transformation. It truly sets us free and brings us home to the God who made us. It provides us the way to the Father—and it gives us that Father. It is a radical message that so alters us that it produces a new citizenship for us. It is a kingdom worth honoring, but also a kingdom worth struggling to expand, which is what Paul modeled for the Philippians and encouraged them to engage in for themselves.
Conclusion
As we conclude our time thinking about this key passage in Philippians, I would like to offer three questions for you to consider this week. If we want to live worthy of the gospel, and if Paul models that worthiness to us, how must we live? Perhaps these questions can help nudge us in that gospel direction:
Paul rejoiced that the gospel expanded, no matter the personal cost. What qualifiers do you place on gospel expansion in your own life? Are there limits to what you’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?
Paul’s whole life was oriented toward Christ. What are some areas of your life that are resistant to Christ’s influence? How can you begin to align those areas more fully with Him?
Paul believed he and the Philippians were citizens of a new kingdom. In what ways does your citizenship in God’s kingdom shape your priorities, values, and purpose here on earth?
Study Questions
Head (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding)
1. According to Philippians 1:12-30, how did Paul view his imprisonment and suffering? How did he believe it contributed to gospel expansion?
2. What does Paul mean when he says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)? How does this reflect his perspective on life and death?
3. In Philippians 1:27, Paul calls believers to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. What characteristics does he highlight as essential for this kind of life?
Heart (Feelings, Impressions, Desires)
4. How does Paul’s joyful attitude toward suffering challenge or encourage you in your own difficulties? What emotions arise when you think about enduring hardship for the sake of the gospel?
5. When you reflect on Paul’s deep desire to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23), what feelings does this stir in your heart about your own relationship with Jesus and your hope in eternity?
6. How does the idea of standing “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27) affect your sense of unity and belonging in your local church?
Hands (Actions, Commitments, Decisions, Beliefs)
7. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more fully with Christ, making Him the center of all that you do, like Paul did?
8. How can you contribute to gospel expansion in your community, even if it means personal sacrifice? Are there specific actions you can commit to that will further the mission of your church?
9. In what ways can you actively live out your citizenship in God’s kingdom? What decisions will you make to reflect this new identity in your daily life?