Philippians 1:29

Context

Philippians is a letter that Paul sent to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned (Philippians 1:13). The traditional view holds that it was written from Rome, though others propose Ephesus or Caesarea.

In Philippians 1:27–28, Paul urges the believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. He then tells them to stand firm with one mind and not to be terrified by their adversaries, and in verse 29 he gives the reason: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." In verse 30 he calls what the Philippians are experiencing "the same conflict": the same struggle they once saw in Paul and now hear that he is still enduring. Acts 16 records that Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. The suffering in this verse therefore refers to the opposition and pressure the Philippian church faced from the local community because of its faith.

The Greek verb rendered "it is given" shares a root with the word for grace (charis). For this reason it is often explained as carrying the sense of "freely granted as a gift."

Interpretation

• Suffering as privilege: This reading is widely accepted across denominations. Paul joins faith and suffering together and speaks of both as gifts from God. Suffering for Christ is thus not a punishment but an honor. The verse is read alongside the account of the apostles "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).
• Reformed reading: The Reformed tradition reads this verse together with Ephesians 2:8, taking it as evidence that faith itself does not originate in human decision but is a gift from God. It is frequently cited in Calvinist soteriology.
• Arminian and Wesleyan reading: Arminianism and Wesleyan theology likewise affirm that faith is made possible by God's grace. They understand that grace, however, as prevenient grace, which enables a person to respond without compelling the response. They also read the verse as focused less on the origin of faith than on the point that even suffering is a privilege.
• Union with Christ: This reading connects the verse with "the fellowship of his sufferings" in Philippians 3:10, understanding the believer's suffering as a sharing in the path of Christ.

Controversies and Issues

• Is faith a gift?: Both sides in the debate over predestination and free will engage with this verse. Presbyterian and Reformed churches cite it as evidence that faith is a gift given by God. The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, reads what is granted by grace as the opportunity and ability to take part in faith and suffering.
• Citation out of context: The verse is sometimes used to explain every kind of hardship, such as illness or business failure, as the suffering it describes. Many commentators, noting the phrase "for his sake," argue that the suffering in view should be limited to suffering endured because of Christ and the gospel. Some also caution against using the verse to glorify suffering itself or to justify enduring unjust treatment.
• Contrast with prosperity theology: In critiques of prosperity theology, which emphasizes prosperity and blessing as the outcome of faith, this verse, which speaks of faith and suffering together, is sometimes cited as a contrasting text.

Related Passages

• Philippians 1:27–30
• Acts 5:41
• Acts 16:22–24
• Ephesians 2:8
• 1 Peter 4:13