Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. — Philippians 1:30
Paul closes this section by reminding them that they are sharing in the same conflict they had seen in him before and now hear about in his present imprisonment. The Philippian believers had seen Paul suffer back in Acts 16 when he was beaten and imprisoned in their own city. Now they hear that the same struggle continues in Rome.
The word conflict gives the idea of intense struggle, like an athletic contest or agonizing battle. There is both outward opposition and inward pressure. The outward conflict presses inward upon the heart. Paul knew that reality well.
Yet he points this out not to discourage them, but to steady them. In effect, he is saying, “This is not strange. This is part of the Christian path. You saw it in me then. You hear of it in me now. And if you stand for Christ, you too will know something of this same conflict.”
There is comfort in that. The Philippians were not alone, and neither are we. We walk a path already walked by Paul, by the apostles, and above all by our Lord Jesus Christ. Conflict does not mean God has abandoned us. Often it means we are standing where faithful believers have always stood.
Paul closes this section by reminding them that they are sharing in the same conflict they had seen in him before and now hear about in his present imprisonment. The Philippian believers had seen Paul suffer back in Acts 16 when he was beaten and imprisoned in their own city. Now they hear that the same struggle continues in Rome.
The word conflict gives the idea of intense struggle, like an athletic contest or agonizing battle. There is both outward opposition and inward pressure. The outward conflict presses inward upon the heart. Paul knew that reality well.
Yet he points this out not to discourage them, but to steady them. In effect, he is saying, “This is not strange. This is part of the Christian path. You saw it in me then. You hear of it in me now. And if you stand for Christ, you too will know something of this same conflict.”
There is comfort in that. The Philippians were not alone, and neither are we. We walk a path already walked by Paul, by the apostles, and above all by our Lord Jesus Christ. Conflict does not mean God has abandoned us. Often it means we are standing where faithful believers have always stood.