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, For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.- Phil 1:27, 29-30 ESV
Warrior;
The Bible- Old Testament, was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The NEW TESTAMENT was written in Greek. This is all based on who ‘Ruled the World” at the time of events and the language of that power. The very first translation of the Hebrew Bible was into Greek. Many words in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek DO NOT have an equivalent single word-so SIMILAR words, or concepts called TRANSLITERATIONS are used. This is the reason for so many different translations. The writers over the centuries wanted to get a “closer” understanding of the original text. In order to get the TRUE meaning of what was originally being conveyed, we must go to the original text. This is how we DIG DEEPER into the WORD OF GOD!
Leader, John MacArthur takes us back to the original text with 2 key words here; WORTHY and CONDUCT. MacArthur said this about the Greek word for “worthy”: Axios (worthy) has the root meaning of balancing the scales—what is on one side of the scale should be equal in weight to what is on the other side. Is your LIFE demonstrative of a child of the RISEN KING? If it was illegal to to be a PART of the GOSPEL- would there be enough demonstrable data to prove you GUILTY? In order to walk worthy of the gospel, we must remember our citizenship is in heaven. MacArthur’s comments about the original meaning of “conduct” are helpful, as well.
Conduit, Politeuomai (conduct) is the main verb in verses 27–30, which in the Greek is a single sentence. It comes from the root word polis (city), which referred to the city-states to which inhabitants gave their primary allegiance. The verb carries the basic meaning of being a citizen. By implication, it means being a good citizen, one whose conduct brings honor to the political body to whom one belongs. One of the ways that we walk worthy of the gospel is by making our aim and focus to reflect our citizenship in heaven. This would have resonated with the Philippian church. Philippi had earned the distinction of a Roman colony. It was considered a “little Rome.” These colonies took great pride in their citizenship. They spoke the Latin language, wore Roman clothes, and their magistrates bore Roman titles. It didn’t matter how far the colony was from Rome; they lived as Romans. HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you a ‘LITTLE CHRIST’, a Christian? “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” Be like ABRAHAM and LOOK and ACT forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:10) Amen!
Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional 