Philippians 1 · Verse 28

Philippians 1:28

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Philippians 1:28, King James Version

Philippians 1:28 in other translations

BSB	without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
WEB	and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
ASV	and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;
YLT	and not terrified in anything by those opposing, which to them indeed is a token of destruction, and to you of salvation, and that from God;
DARBY	and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God;
BBE	Having no fear of those who are against you; which is a clear sign of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God;
Webster	And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

What does Philippians 1:28 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

28. terrified--literally, said of horses or other animals startled or suddenly scared; so of sudden consternation in general. which--your not being terrified. evident token of perdition--if they would only perceive it (2Th 1:5). It attests this, that in contending hopelessly against you, they are only rushing on to their own perdition, not shaking your united faith and constancy. to you of salvation--The oldest manuscripts read, "of your salvation"; not merely your temporal safety.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Adversaries, or opponents, they had, like most of the other early Christians. There were Jews there who would be likely to oppose them, Acts 17:5 and they were exposed to persecution by the heathen. In that city, Paul had himself suffered much Acts 16; and it would not be strange if the same scenes should be repeated. It is evident from this passage, as well as from some other parts of the epistle, that the Philippians were at this time experiencing some form of severe suffering. But in what way, or why, the opposition to them was excited, is nowhere stated. The meaning here is, "Do not be alarmed at anything which they can do. Maintain your Christian integrity, notwithstanding all the opposition which they can make. They will, in the end, certainly be destroyed, and you will be saved."

Which is to them an evident token of perdition, What, it may be asked, would be the token of their perdition? What is the evidence to which Paul refers that they will be destroyed? The relative "which" ητις-- is probably used as referring to the persecution which had been commenced, and to the constancy which the apostle supposed the Philippians would evince. The sentence is elliptical; but it is manifest that the apostle refers either to the circumstance then occurring, that they were persecuted, and that they evinced constancy, or to the constancy which he wished them to evince in their persecutions. He says that this circumstance of persecution, if they evinced such a spirit as he wished, would be to them an evidence of two things:

(1.) Of the destruction of those who were engaged in the persecution. This would be, because they knew that such persecutors could not ultimately prevail. Persecution of the church would be a certain indication that they who did it would be finally destroyed.

(2.) It would be a proof of their own salvation, because it would show that they were the friends of the Redeemer; and they had the assurance that all those who were persecuted for his sake would be saved. The gender of the Greek relative here is determined by the following noun ενδειξις in a manner that is not uncommon in Greek. See Wetstein, in loc., and Koppe.

And that of God. That is, their persecution is a proof that God will interpose in due time, and save you. The hostility of the wicked to us is one evidence that we are the friends of God, and shall be saved.

(b) "your adversaries" Isa 51:7,12, Mt 10:28 (c) "which is to them" 2Thes 1:5 (d) "but to you" Rom 8:17

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 28 In nothing terrified by your adversaries - So it appears that the Church at Philippi was then under persecution. Which is to them - Ἡτις αυτοις εστιν. Some very judicious critics consider ἡτις as referring to πιστις, the faith of the Gospel, which they, the heathen, considered to be a token of perdition to all them who embraced it; but, as the apostle says, it was to them the Philippians, on the contrary, the most evident token of salvation; for, having embraced the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, they were incontestably in the way to eternal blessedness.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 1:27-30

Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The original word "conversation" denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth striving for; there is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man…

Read the full comment on Philippians 1:27-30 →

Philippians 1:28 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532

μὴmēnotG3361

πτυρόμενοιpturomenoibeing frightenedG4426

ἐνeninG1722

μηδενὶmēdeninothingG3367

ὑπὸhupobyG5259

τῶνtōnthoseG3588

ἀντικειμένων·antikeimenōnopposing [you];G480

ἥτιςhētiswhichG3748

ἐστὶνestinisG1510

αὐτοῖςautoisto themG846

ἔνδειξιςendeixisa demonstrationG1732

ἀπωλείας,apōleiasof destruction,G684

ὑμῶνhumōnto youG4771

δὲdehoweverG1161

σωτηρίας,sōtēriasof salvation,G4991

καὶkaiandG2532

τοῦτοtoutothisG3778

ἀπὸapofromG575

θεοῦ·theouGod;G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 1:28

2 Timothy 1:7-8
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Isaiah 51:7
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
2 Timothy 2:11-12
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psalms 68:19-20
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

in.
Isa 51:7,12; Mt 10:28; Lu 12:4-7; 21:12-19; Ac 4:19-31; 5:40-42
1Th 2:2; 2Ti 1:7,8; Heb 13:6; Re 2:10
an.
2Th 1:5,6; 1Pe 4:12-14
but.
Mt 5:10-12; Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:11,12
and that.
Ge 49:18; Ps 50:23; 68:19,20; Isa 12:2; Lu 3:6; Ac 28:28

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Philippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:28
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
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;

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:28 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y en nada intimidados de los que se oponen: que á ellos ciertamente es indicio de perdición, mas á vosotros de salud; y esto de Dios;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	et n’étant en rien épouvantés par les adversaires: ce qui pour eux est une démonstration de perdition, mais de votre salut, et cela de la part de Dieu:
German Elberfelder 1871	und in nichts euch erschrecken lasset von den Widersachern; was für sie ein Beweis des Verderbens ist, aber eures Heils, und das von Gott.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	et in nullo terreamini ab adversariis: quæ illis est causa perditionis, vobis autem salutis, et hoc a Deo: