The participation of the Philippians in the gospel with Paul included actually proclaiming the gospel message themselves. Look at 1:27-30:

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Verse 27 is the central exhortation of the letter. Conducting themselves worthy of the Gospel included the Philippians standing firm and secure in the gospel, with the common purpose of glorifying Christ.

They struggled for their faith but they also refused to allow their enemies, whether Jews or pagans, to intimidate them into silence (vs 28).

The verb translated “striving together” is used only here and in 4:3 in the Bible. In this latter passage, Paul is talking about two Christian women in the church there in Philippi and says that Euodia and Syntyche “shared his struggle” in the cause of the gospel, along with another Christian named Clement and other fellow workers. In other words, these two women “fought at the side” of Paul is sharing the gospel. I do not know exactly what they did but Paul was thankful for their efforts.

So, the Philippians are to present a united front against the attacks of the enemy as they present the gospel of Christ to a lost world. The stress in 1:27-30 is on unity and the need for an organized and sustained effort among the Philippians. By standing firm, the Philippians show that their goal is the same as Paul’s – the salvation of the lost through the gospel of Christ.

Before we leave Philippians, let’s take a look at 2:14-16: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

Looking at verse 16, the verb “holding fast” could be translated “holding forth.” The Philippian Christians are offering the word of life to others, holding it tightly themselves and holding it up as the light to Jesus Christ.

This “word of life” is the preaching of the true (spiritual) life in Jesus Christ. This word creates life, a spiritual life with God. It is, therefore, synonymous with the word “gospel.”

The Philippians were allowing the gospel message to have a powerful impact on their own lives and, through their lives, to have a triumphant progress through their own community of Philippi.

We, in the Swartz Creek church family, want to participate with others in sharing the gospel of Christ. To live our lives worthy of the gospel, holding fast / forth the word of life here in our own community, keeping our own congregation spiritually strong, so that we can help serve others in the mission field.

Paul Holland