Philippians 1:29
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul says that both believing in Christ and suffering for him have been graciously granted to them.
What Does Philippians 1:29 Mean?
Paul lifts suffering into an unexpected light. It is given to the Philippians, he says, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake, as though both were gifts.
We readily see faith as a grace, but Paul says suffering for Christ is given too, a privilege rather than only a misfortune. To share in Christ's sufferings is to be closely identified with him, drawn into his own path. This does not make pain pleasant, but it gives it meaning and dignity. The believer who suffers for Christ is not abandoned but honored with a share in his Lord's experience. Paul reframes hardship as something granted in love, transforming how the Philippians, and we, may carry it.