New Living Translation
Philippians 1:28
28Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
Philippians 1:28 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
Context of Philippians 1:28
26And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. 27Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Read all of Philippians 1Philippians 1:28 word by word
καὶ μὴ πτυρόμενοι ἐν μηδενὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ἀντικειμένων· ἥτις ἐστὶν αὐτοῖς ἔνδειξις ἀπωλείας, ὑμῶν δὲ σωτηρίας, καὶ τοῦτο ἀπὸ θεοῦ·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- ·μήmē · notG3361
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- nothingμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
- terrifiedπτύρομαιpturō · to frightenG4426
- byὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
- your adversariesἀντίκειμαιantikeimai · be an opponentG480
- whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- to themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- an evident tokenἔνδειξιςendeixis · demonstrationG1732
- of perditionἀπώλειαapōleia · destructionG684
- butδέde · thenG1161
- to youσύsu · youG4771
- of salvationσωτηρίαsōtēria · salvationG4991
- thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- ofἀπόapo · away fromG575
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
Cross-references for Philippians 1:28
- Isaiah 51:7“Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.
- Matthew 10:28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Luke 12:4“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.
- Luke 21:12“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
- Acts 4:19But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?
- Acts 5:40The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition.
- 2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
- Hebrews 13:6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
- Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.
- 1 Peter 4:12Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
- Matthew 5:10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
- Romans 8:17And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
- 2 Timothy 2:11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him.
- Genesis 49:18I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!
Commentaries on Philippians 1:28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28In nothing terrified by your adversaries - So it appears that the Church at Philippi was then under persecution. Which is to them - ̔ . Some very judicious critics consider ̔ as referring to , 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28And 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 (compare Acts 17:5), and they were exposed to persecution by the pagan. 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-30Verses 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 may sleep and go to hell; but…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation: As translated, the persecutors would feel convicted by the example of the Philippians. The same Greek phrase could also mean a sign to them that you are going to be destroyed, but a sign to you that you are going to be saved. By that interpretation, the persecutors would stay blind to the truth (compare 2 Corinthians 2:15–16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. 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…Read the comment
Topics related to Philippians 1:28
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Philippians 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries