Philippians 1:30

Philippians 1:30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me. What they had seen of the apostle's sufferings must have been during his imprisonment at Philippi (see Acts xvi 19). The conflict, though called ‘the same,' need not be taken to imply that the Philippians were exposed as he had. been to the danger of arrest and scourging, but that they had to endure sufferings, and that their cause was the same. They were soldiers under the same Master, and each had a share in the conflict. This word implies primarily the struggle for a prize in some athletic contest, a figure which the apostle elsewhere uses for illustration of the Christian's position in this world. He is fighting for the mastery, and there are many adversaries.

and now hear to be in me. They had been told of his imprisonment, and for that reason had sent Epaphroditus to Rome with their gifts, and they would hear still more from Epaphroditus when he returned to them and delivered the apostle's letter.