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