"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Philippians 1:29-30
Part 1
We all suffer sometimes…
“For unto you, it is given in the behalf of Christ.”
Our suffering is a grace-gift given to us “in the behalf of Jesus Christ.” He suffered in the extreme for our sakes. We are privileged to be able to suffer for Him.
“The verb rendered ‘give’ denotes specially a grant of free favour [sic.] or kindness.” [1]
“Suffering is a gift of grace. ‘It is given’ should be ‘it was given,’ referring to the gift bestowed when they became Christians” [2] (Vincent).
“In the behalf of Christ,” points us to the last phrase of this verse. Paul repeated the idea, “but also to suffer for His sake.”
“The Philippians didn’t need to fear that their present trial (and Paul’s present trial) meant that God abandoned them. Their present difficulty was granted to them, not as a punishment, but as a tool in God’s hand” [3] (Guzik).
Jesus can use trials in our lives to conform us into the shape of His image. This is for our good and His glory.
“Not only to believe on Him.”
Believers have trusted Him for their salvation. Their faith-belief is ongoing, it never stops, it is a continual believing on Him. Not only is faith essential for salvation, but it is also especially important when we are going through times of personal suffering.
“‘To believe Him,’ would merely mean to believe He speaks the truth. ‘To believe on Him,’ is to believe in, and trust through, Him to obtain eternal salvation. Suffering for Christ is not only not a mark of God’s anger, but a gift of His grace” [4] (JFB).
Lord, I believe on You, and thank you for your gifts, each of your gifts.
Come back tomorrow as we learn more about suffering.
[1] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Guzik, David. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.