devoted to doctrine, being balanced by seven corresponding sections devoted to practice. It is not surprising

therefore, in such a practical epistle as this to the Philippians, to find the apostle using the word `worthy' in a similar

The Gospel must be preached, it must be believed, but it must also be defended, furthered, and confirmed by a

worthy walk and manner of life if true balance is to be maintained.

In the passage before us, the worthy manner of life is expressed by the apostle in the following words :

`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' (Phil. 1:27).

In addition he speaks of being `nothing terrified' by their adversaries, and of being graciously given the privilege

of not only believing but of suffering for Christ's sake, rounding the exhortation off with a reference to his own

We have seen that `conversation' refers to the manner of one's life and involves the idea of citizenship. The

apostle was concerned about the `affairs' of the Philippians, and desired that they should be of such a high standard

that their worthiness should be maintained whether he himself were personally present or absent. The word

translated `absent' is apeimi and is found only in Paul's epistles always with reference to his presence or absence

from a particular assembly, and occurs seven times.

There is a note of censure in the reference in 1 and 2 Corinthians :

`For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning

him that hath so done this deed' (1 Cor. 5:3).

`Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you,

but being absent am bold toward you ... such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be

also in deed when we are present' (2 Cor. 10:1,11).

`I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them

which heretofore have sinned, ... Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use

sharpness' (2 Cor. 13:2,10).

Apart from the element of censure which we may not always merit, there is a lesson here for us all. We are still

able to read Paul's epistles, though Paul himself is `absent' and these epistles are tantamount to his personal

presence with us in our gatherings, and should be treated accordingly.

Writing to the Colossians, Paul was able to adopt a different strain saying `for though I be absent in the flesh, yet

am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ' (Col. 2:5).

This is much nearer to the spirit manifested in Philippians 1:27.  In Colossians he speaks of `stedfastness'

(stereoma), in Philippians 1:27 he exhorts the believer to `stand fast' (steko), both of which words the Lexicons

derive from stao `to stand'. The apostle speaks of this attitude as the `affairs' of the Philippians `that I may hear of

your affairs'.

`Affairs' with Paul may refer to the `business' of life pragmateia (2 Tim. 2:4), a word derived from

pragmateuomai `occupy' (Luke 19:13), and is used in Ephesians 6:22 of Paul's affairs. In Ephesians 6:21, where the

apostle says `that ye may know my affairs and how I do', the word `affairs' there translates the phrase ta-kata `the

things respecting' anyone, and in Philippians 1:27 `affairs' translates the phrase ta peri `the things concerning' any

one. This phrase ta peri is used by Paul four times in the epistle to the Philippians: `your affairs'; `your state'; `how

will it go with me' (Phil. 1:27; 2:19,20,23).

We can say that the apostle was `concerned' about the things `concerning' the believer and particularly their

attitude in the face of opposition, employing the figure Paronomasia, often found in the writings of Paul.

`That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel' (Phil. 1:27).