Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit…
Summary: Paul’s words put us in mind of the power of God to connect us in his Spirit.
Our modern world is an amalgam of strange and conflicting realities.
On the one hand, technology has made it possible for us to be more connected with other people than ever. Do you want to talk with someone? Reach for your cell phone and call. If you don’t want to talk, you can text, or at the other end of the spectrum, you can use the video feature and call, talk, and see the person(s) you are talking with.
Fifty years ago, technology was much more primitive.
Instead of reaching for our personal cell phone, we had to walk to where the phone was. When we made a call, we had to physically “dial” the number. If the call was to someone out of town, there were long-distance charges to be paid, or we had to “call collect.” Finally, there was the dreaded “busy signal” if the person we were calling was already talking on the phone. That meant we had to wait.
I hate waiting!
Paul, of course, lived in a time in history well before Alexander Graham Bell had invented the telephone. There were no radios or computers, no internet or phone lines. “Cable” in Paul’s day was used for mooring ships to the dock instead of connecting televisions to the movies and news we watch.
For Paul to travel to Philippi from Rome would have been a major commitment of time, money, and effort. For a man Paul’s age, the effort and risk are multiplied many times. He knows, most likely, that he will never see his friends in Philippi again, but he hopes to.
Whether he can come to them or not, the important thing is Jesus!
If the Philippians will “conduct [themselves] in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” then Paul will know that they stand firm in God’s Spirit.
What a sense of peace that thought must have given Paul!
Regardless of the distance between us, despite no communication except a rare letter or traveler, people who stand firm in God’s Spirit know that one day we will meet again (Revelation 7:9, Hebrews 12:1-2).
Application: Stand firm in God’s Spirit.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to “stand” in something like God’s Spirit?
Based on a brief Strong’s description of the word, I think it can mean persevere. In this context, I believe Paul wants the Philippians to persevere in a unity in the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is good advice for us today as well.
Thank you, Rich!
I LOVE the concept of “unity” among believers. It is so beautiful and powerful!
Paul used the Greek word sunathleo (συναθλέω) in Philippians 1:27 (and in Philippians 4:1) when he wrote “stand firm.” Sunathleo means “to strive together” or “to contend together” (struggle to surmount together).
I bring this up because understanding this sort of “flips” the word “stand” on its head. The word “stand” can bring the image of a immobile resistance, like a blockade. But I think Paul is talking about an active and united movement, like an advancing army with a singular purpose. I think Paul wants to hear about how the church in Philippi is united in the Spirit of God, and is advancing the Gospel of Christ in unity.
What does it mean to “stand” in something like God’s Spirit?
I think Jesus commanded it best:
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Chris,
Thank you for focusing on the meaning of striving together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world (and our neighbors next door!).
Great point CH