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Philippians 1:28

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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.

And {G2532} in {G1722} nothing {G3367}{G3361} terrified {G4426} by {G5259} your adversaries {G480}: which {G3748} is {G2076} to them {G846}{G3303} an evident token {G1732} of perdition {G684}, but {G1161} to you {G5213} of salvation {G4991}, and {G2532} that {G5124} of {G575} God {G2316}.

not frightened by anything the opposition does. This will be for them an indication that they are headed for destruction and you for deliverance. And this is from God;

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.

and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;

Commentary

Philippians 1:28 serves as a powerful encouragement to believers facing opposition, emphasizing the profound spiritual implications of their unwavering faith and courage.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, written while he was imprisoned. Despite his confinement, Paul expresses joy and confidence in the spread of the Gospel. He encourages the Philippians to live lives "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27). This includes standing firm together, united in spirit and purpose, especially in the face of external pressures and adversaries who sought to undermine their faith.

Key Themes

  • Fearless Steadfastness: Paul urges the Philippians not to be "terrified" or intimidated by their opponents. This isn't a call to recklessness, but to a calm, resolute trust in God's power, even when facing persecution or hostility. Their unwavering stance demonstrates a supernatural peace that transcends earthly circumstances.
  • Divine Indicator: The steadfastness of believers acts as a clear "token" or proof (Greek: endeixis) of two contrasting spiritual realities. For the adversaries, the believers' unshakeable faith signals their own impending "perdition" or destruction. Their inability to deter God's people is evidence that they are fighting against God Himself.
  • Assurance of Salvation: Conversely, for the believers, their courage and endurance in the face of opposition is an undeniable sign of their "salvation." This salvation is not merely a future hope but an ongoing work of God, confirming their secure standing in Him. It is "of God," meaning it originates from Him and is sustained by His power, providing ultimate assurance.
  • Contrasting Destinies: The verse starkly presents two ultimate outcomes: ruin for those who oppose God and His people, and deliverance for those who faithfully endure. This serves as both a warning to unbelievers and a profound comfort to believers.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "terrified" (phoboumenoi) conveys being startled, frightened, or put to flight. Paul's exhortation is to remain un-frightened, to not retreat. The term "adversaries" (antikeimenois) refers to those who set themselves against, oppose, or resist. Their opposition, when met with Christian courage, becomes an "evident token" (endeixis), a clear demonstration or proof, of their ultimate downfall (apōleia - perdition, ruin, utter destruction) and the believers' divine deliverance (sōtēria - salvation).

Practical Application

In any age, believers will face opposition, whether through cultural pressure, ridicule, or outright persecution. Philippians 1:28 calls us to:

  • Stand Firm: Our response to challenges should be characterized by faith, not fear. This unwavering stance is a powerful testimony to the world and a testament to God's presence in our lives. As 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, God has not given us a spirit of fear.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Recognize that God is at work in all circumstances. Our steadfastness is not born of our own strength but from the power of God within us, leading to His ultimate victory and our eternal security.
  • Live as Witnesses: Our calm courage in the face of adversity can be a profound witness, demonstrating the reality of God's power and the hope of salvation to both those who believe and those who oppose.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 1:7 (21 votes)

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

  • 2 Timothy 1:8 (21 votes)

    Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

  • Matthew 10:28 (17 votes)

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (17 votes)

    ¶ [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6 (17 votes)

    Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

  • 2 Timothy 2:11 (13 votes)

    [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

  • 2 Timothy 2:12 (13 votes)

    If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: