Philippians: Resilient Joy 1. Joyful Purpose

Paul writes his letter to the church in Philippi so that they might know what it means to establish a colony of heaven in their city. Paul informs the Christians at Philippi that though they live in a Roman colony, sometimes called “little Rome”, their citizenship is in heaven.  Paul commands his readers, “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”. The phrase “manner of life” translates the Greek verb πολιτεύεσθε (politeuesthe). It literally means “live as citizens” or “conduct yourselves as citizens.” Paul is deliberately invoking political/civic language, urging believers to live as citizens of the gospel rather than merely citizens of Rome. Acts 16:11-15 and Philippians 1:1-11.