Philippians 1:27
King James Version (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;
Translations
Philippians 1:27 - Amplified Bible
Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit {and} purpose, striving side by side {and} contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).
Philippians 1:27 - American Standard Version
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you and be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:27 - Bible in Basic English
Only let your behaviour do credit to the good news of Christ, so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul for the faith of the good news;
Philippians 1:27 - Darby Bible
Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings;
Philippians 1:27 - English Standard Version
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,
Philippians 1:27 - King James Version
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;
Philippians 1:27 - La Biblia de las Americas
Solamente comportaos de una manera digna del evangelio de Cristo, de modo que ya sea que vaya a veros, o que permanezca ausente, pueda oìr que vosotros estáis firmes en un mismo espìritu, luchando unánimes por la fe del evangelio;
Philippians 1:27 - The Message
Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for peoples trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what theyre up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. Theres far more to this life than trusting in Christ. Theres also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. Youre involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.
Philippians 1:27 - New American Standard Bible
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 of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:27 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
Solamente compòrtense de una manera digna del evangelio de Cristo, de modo que ya sea que vaya a verlos, o que permanezca ausente, pueda oìr que ustedes están firmes en un mismo espìritu, luchando unánimes por la fe del evangelio.
Philippians 1:27 - World English Bible
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel 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 gospel;
Philippians 1:27 - Young's Living Translation
Only worthily of the good news of the Christ conduct ye yourselves, that, whether having come and seen you, whether being absent I may hear of the things concerning you, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul, striving together for the faith of the good news,
Philippians 1:27 - Additional Comments
Our conduct - the original word means "to live as a citizen; to conduct oneself according to the laws and customs of a state." To be worthy of the gospel, this includes all we do, how we act, what we think. Phil 4:8 gives us guidelines on our thoughts. For our actions, see the Articles "What does Lord mean?" and "Seeking Holiness".
This was Paul's desire for them, but it should be their desire for themselves, otherwise it is futile.
What a joy to any Christian leader to see or hear about those who have been discipled to be doing what they should be.
What was Paul hoping to hear about? That the Philippians were showing a solid foundation that could not be moved (i.e. standing firm). That they were of one spirit and one mind, working together for the cause of Christ. That their enemies were not a source of fear to them, which is a proof of their salvation (vs 28).
They were to be "striving together", similar to how a wrestling team works together to defeat their opponent. Is that how you work with other Christians?
And, what a challenge Paul gives to them, that they are to be doing it "whether I come and see you or am absent", meaning they are to be continuing to have the work and relationship with God they should without the founder of their church there. They are to be doing it on their own initiative, without the direct accountability as if Paul were there. Is this how you operate? Are you just as motivated when no one is watching as when others are involved in your life?
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