Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: OUR CONVERSATION - our life as citizens [ politeuma (G4175), from politeuomai (G4176): Philippians 1:27; Acts 23:1 ]. The antithesis to Philippians 3:19 favours this translation, rather than 'our citizenship' [which would be politeia (G4174)], or than 'our commonwealth' (Ellicott): which last would require 'is heaven' instead of "is IN heaven" (cf....

20_But our conversation is in heaven _This statement overturns all empty shows, in which pretended ministers of the gospel are accustomed to glory, and he indirectly holds up to odium all their objects of aim, (201) because, by flying about above the earth, they do not aspire towards heaven. For he teaches that nothing is to be reckoned of any value except God’s spiritual kingdom, because believers ought to lead a heavenly life in this world. _“They mind earthly things: _it is therefore befitting that we, whose _conversation is in heaven, _should be separated from them.” (202) We are, it is true, intermingled here with unbelievers and hypocrites; nay more, the chaff has more of appearance in the granary of the Lord than wheat. Farther, we are exposed to the common inconveniences of this earthly life; we require, also, meat and drink, and other necessaries, but we m

12-21 This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way. True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify...

Verse 20. _OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN_] Ἡμως - το πολιτευμα· _Our city_, or _citizenship_, or _civil rights_. The word properly signifies the administration, government, or form of a republic or state; and is thus used by _Demosthenes_, page 107, 25, and 262, 27. Edit. _Reiske_. It signifies also a _republic_, a _city_, or the _inhabitants_ of any city or place; or a _society_ of persons living in the _same place_, and under the _same rules_ and _laws_. See more in _Schleusner_. While those gross and Jewish teachers have no _city_ but what is on _earth_; no _rights_ but what are derived from their _secular_ connections; no society but what is made up of men _like_ _themselves_, who _mind earthly things_, and whose _belly is their_ _god_, WE have a _heavenly city_, the New Jerusalem; we have _rights_ and _privileges_ which a

FOR OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN - That is, this is true of all who are sincere Christians. It is a characteristic of Christians, in contradistinction from those who are the “enemies of the cross,” that their conversation is in heaven. The word “conversation” we now apply almost entirely to oral discourse. It formerly, however, meant conduct in general, and it is usually employed in this sense in the Scriptures; see the notes at Philippians 1:27, where the verb occurs, from which the noun here is derived. The word used here - πολίτευμα politeuma - is found nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, any public measure, administration of the state, the manner in which the affairs of a state are administered; and then the state itself, the community, commonwealth, those who are hound under t

EXPOSITION PHILIPPIANS 3:1 FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, REJOICE IN THE LORD. This word "finally" (τὸ λοιπόν is frequently used by St. Paul to introduce a practical conclusion after the doctrinal portion of his Epistles: thus it occurs again in Philippians 4:8, and also in 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 6:10; 1Th 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Some render χαίρετε_ _"farewell;" but "rejoice" seems more suitable here. The golden thread of spiritual joy runs through t

FOR OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN,.... The Ethiopic version renders it, "we have our city in heaven"; and the words may be truly rendered, "our citizenship is in heaven"; that is, the city whereof we are freemen is heaven, and we behave ourselves here below, as citizens of that city above: heaven is the saints' city; here they have no continuing city, but they seek one to come, which is permanent and durable; a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God, Hebrews 11:10: as yet they are not in it, though fellow citizens of the saints, and of the household of God; they are pilgrims, strangers, and sojourners on earth, Leviticus 25:23; but are seeking a better country, an heavenly one, and God has prepared for them a city,...

Philippians 3:1. _Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord._ As much as to say, «If this were the last sentence that I should write to you, I would say, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.' It is your privilege, it is your duty, to rejoice in God; not in your health, your wealth, your children, your prosperity, but in the Lord.» There is the unchanging and unbounded source of joy. It will do you no harm to rejoice in the Lord; the more you rejoice in him, the more spiritually-minded will you become. «Finally, my brethren.» That is, even to the end, not with you the bitter end; but even to the end of life, rejoice in the Lord. Make this the finis of everything, the end of every day, the end of every year, the end of life. «Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.» Blessed is that religion in which it is a duty to be happy....

SAVIOUR See note, (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 1:16). _...

III. CHRIST, THE OBJECT AND THE GOAL CHAPTER 3 __ 1. The true circumcision (Philippians 3:1) 2. Paul's past experience (Philippians 3:4) 3. The one passion (Philippians 3:8) 4. Pressing towards the mark (Philippians 3:12) 5. The goal of glory (Philippians 3:17) Philippians 3:1 Finally (or, for the rest), my brethren, rejoice in the “Lord.” Rejoicing in the Lord, not m