Kingdom dynamics

The Concept of Heavenly Citizenship IV

Abreham G

Phil 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

In the GNT (Greek New Testament) “conduct yourselves” is one word (verb), “politeuesthe”. In the entire New Testament this verb appears only twice. Once here and once in Acts 23:1. In the Acts narrative we see Paul defending himself before a Jewish Sanhedrin. In his opening statement he boldly declared that he has lived (pepoliteumai) for God in good conscience. Most Bible versions translate [pe]politeumai simply as “live.” For me however “live” does not do justice to the whole idea of politeumai Paul is referring to. TNIV (Today's New International Version) prefers “fulfilled my duty.” NASB (New American Standard Bible) in its marginal notation reads “conducted myself as a citizen.” Both versions understood that this kind of “living” is closely associated with the idea of citizenship.

Paul insisted that he has so far fulfilled his duties as a citizen of God's commonwealth/colony/community¹. The High Priest disagreed. I think he feels Paul had not only abandoned his duties as a Jew (in light of his failure to prosecute the Diaspora Jews who believed in Christ), but committed a treasonous act that would threaten the survival of the Jewish nation. He assumed that Paul has been teaching Diaspora Jews to abandon the laws and the customs that define them as Jews. How can Paul then convince the High Priest that in preaching Christ he was actually fulfilling his citizenship duties? For Paul true Judaism embraces Christ. For him welcoming Christ as the promised Messiah and preaching to others to welcome him as well ranks first among his Jewish duties. This altercation between Paul and the High Priest at least gives us the idea that the argument was not about Paul's private/personal piety as much as his public life. Hence, politeumai refers to an individual's public duties that arise out of his/her participation in a polites (a religious, cultural, and/or sociopolitical group)².

The same idea is reflected in Paul's command to the Philiipians. I have paraphrased it as, “whether I am present or absent all of you have to fulfill your public duties that befits the gospel of Christ as citizens of the newly instituted community of God, the church.” The question then is “what manner of conduct will qualify as fulfilling citizenship (public) duties that is worthy of the gospel of Christ?” Paul has made it clear. First and foremost it should be noted that it is a corporate call. The command was given to the community as a whole not to individuals. Individual efforts matter as long as they are performed in the context and for the benefit of the community. And such a commitment to the gospel needs to be met with a vigorous corporate life. We are called to live and thrive as a community. We need each other. God made us to be interdependent. There is no self made hero.

1:27 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. (emphasis mine)

Paul made the right call to ensure the continuity of God's program of salvation. Whether he was present or absent (among the Philippians because of distance or among all churches because of martyrdom) what God has begun among his people needs to continue until the coming of Christ (1:6). Nothing guarantees the progress of the gospel as unity. Those who strive together will eventually stand firm.

Murray tries to establish a link between the striving together language and the then popular (though brutal) sport of gladiator fighting³. Sometimes gladiators fought in groups. For them fighting as a team was a matter of survival. Division among God's people gives the enemy enough space to thwart the progress of the gospel. The gospel that Paul was imprisoned for could easily be derailed if divisiveness has its way among God's people. That was one of the issues that concerned Paul.

One mind signifies a strong undivided bond that needs to exist among the Philippians. Paul used similar expression to show his and Timothy's co-souled/ equal-lifed (if there is such a word) commitment to the gospel. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. (2:19-20). Here like him (isopsuke) carries the idea of equal-lifedness, co-souledness, or to use a more appropriate term, like-mindedness.

Thus the question is, “is it possible to be like minded/co-souled/equal-lifed with a fellow believer?” Especially in these days where individualism is celebrated like it has never been in history, how can there be such a strong bond among ministers of the gospel? Is such unity a possibility or was Paul simply using a rhetorical devise that should not be taken quite literally? 

To be continued . . . . . .

1Miller argues that Paul's use of politeumai both in Acts 23:1 and in Philippians is a major departure from the way the term was understood and used in Jewish literatures, to refer to the covenant community of Israel. He contends that Paul used it to craft a new ecclesiology – the church as the New Israel, hence drawing no distinction between his Jewishness and his identity as a follower of Christ. Πολυτειίεσθε IN PHILIPPIANS 1.27: SOME PHILOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC OBSERVATIONS. JSNT 15 (1982) 86-96

2Murry, W. George. Paul's Corporate Witness in Philippians. Bibliotheca Sacra 155, 1998. pp 316-326

3Ibid 320

Special Edition

I want to dedicate this post to Meskerem Begna, a woman of faith whom I came to know recently. A few years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. I visited with her and her family the night before she was admitted to a hospital. As we were praying and worshiping the Lord, she praised God as if nothing had happened. Through the years I followed her life closely and found out that she was not faking it. She meant it. She is as thankful, as cheerful, and as faithful as she was that night. She also continued to support her local church's mission work in Ethiopia even when she had enough reasons to pull back her financial commitments. Meski, thank you for embodying a life of faith, integrity, and compassion. You are an inspiration for those of us who know you well.

An Unusual Worship

Last week Americans here at home and elsewhere celebrated Thanksgiving. As usual most people ate turkey. My wife and I also had our share of turkey with a lovely American family. It was yummy. Thanksgiving is more than turkey eating tradition. It is a time when individuals and families count their blessings and be thankful.

The holiday made me think of a character in the Bible who had nothing to count for. His name is Job. The author of the Book of Job describes him as perfect, upright, one who fears God and turns from evil. These are not ordinary testimonies. He was the wealthiest man in the east (wherever that is). If a man has the kind of wealth Job had and is described in such a manner, he must really be perfect.

The first two chapters of the Book narrate the calamities that descended upon the perfect, upright, God fearing, evil shunning Job. He did not deserve them. I do not believe anyone deserves them. The story has puzzled generations of devout men and women. Why did a just God allow this to happen to Job? Some have suggested that Job is a fictional figure of patience and perseverance, not a real person. But I have not found any reasons to doubt the historicity of Job. I believe he was a real person whose story serves as a source of inspiration for those suffering.

As the story continues Job is set to lose everything he had worked for. When his servants brought one bad news after another, they cared less to wait for their turn. While one was speaking, another rushes in with yet more bad news. Before Job had time to assess his loss, he received the most dreadful news – the death of his nine children. Nothing could be more shocking, horrifying, and devastating.

What struck me most was not the barrage of disasters that fell upon Job. It was rather his response. Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped (1:20). That was not what I expected. First I thought his heart would stop beating. It did not. Then I felt he would collapse. No, he did not. He must be a tough person. What he did next defied my expectations. He tore his clothes, shaved his head, and worshiped. What!? Worshiped!? That is unbelievable! Extraordinary! Stunning!

I barely see people worship God for their loss. But Job did. That is why I found him to be a unique character in the Bible. He worshiped and said

Naked I came from my mother's womb,

and naked I shall return there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Some “teachers” slapped Job for uttering these words. Because his words could not concur with their image of God. Some of them even blamed Job for his loss. They claimed that he lived in fear and not by faith. Really!? I would rather have Job's faith than theirs. I would rather have a faith that makes me prostrate before YHWH and bless his NAME, even in loss.

Job uttered those words in the context and spirit of worship. Paul in 1 Tim 6:7 echoes these same words “for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” He said it in the context of godliness and contentment. Paul is saying that godliness is not a means of gain, nor is gain a proof of godliness. Job lost his family and wealth, but not his godliness. Satan accused him saying that Job is godly because God guards his wealth. Satan said Job's godliness is not a permanent virtue. It vanishes away with his possessions. Misguided teachers in 1 Timothy 6:5 echoed this same theology. They claimed that godliness is a means of financial gain. For them godliness is not an end in itself. Satan too said that Job's godliness is tied to his gains.

God and the hosts of heaven were watching. Job's servants were watching. Satan was watching. Generations of God fearing men and women are watching. Will Job bless God? Or will he curse him? The author of Job says, “in all these (losses) Job did not sin nor gave folly (inappropriate words) to God.” (v. 22). These are the last words in Job 1. Job passed the test. He blessed YHWH. He was perfect in v. 1 and stayed that way in v. 22. Any attempt to portray Job as a faithless man betrays the intent of the author of Job, and of God. He is a man of unusual problems, a man of unusual faith, and a man of unusual expressions of worship.  

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11

On the next post I will publish the follow up article of "the concept of heavenly citizenship."