The Meaning of Philippians 1:30 Explained

Philippians 1:30

KJV: Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

YLT: the same conflict having, such as ye saw in me, and now hear of in me.

Darby: having the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear of in me.

ASV: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Having  the same  conflict  which  ye saw  {5625;1492:5627} in  me,  and  now  hear  [to be] in  me. 

What does Philippians 1:30 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Philippians were experiencing the same type of suffering that Paul had during his whole ministry. They had witnessed his struggles in Philippi when he had planted the church there and perhaps in his subsequent ministry there. They had also heard of his sufferings in Rome ( Philippians 2:26).
"One of the reasons most of us in the West do not know more about the content of Philippians 1:29-30 is that we have so poorly heeded the threefold exhortation that precedes ..." [1]
In calling his readers to unite in steadfastly enduring the antagonism of unbelievers in their area, Paul was not asking them to do something he himself had not done. He was urging them to unite with one another, and with him, and to view suffering for their faith as a privilege that would glorify Jesus Christ. This exhortation is necessary today when we feel tempted to agree with unbelievers rather than taking a firm stand for our Lord.

Context Summary

Philippians 1:22-30 - Privileged To Suffer In Christ's Behalf
Our "manner of life" is all-important. In the open day and in the hours of darkness it must be worthy of the gospel. We must show ourselves to be of a heavenly tone and temper, as citizens of that "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Lady Powerscourt used to say that she dwelt in heaven, but came down for a few hours each day to do her work on earth, returning home at night. Clearly, then, our dress, accent, and behavior should betray us as strangers and pilgrims who can well endure the discomfort of the inn or the troublous experiences of the place of our sojourn.
Notice that remarkable expression, For unto you if is given in the behalf of Christ"¦ to suffer, Philippians 1:29. This is an added honor conferred on us by our Lord. The King gives us the opportunity of lying in the stocks with Him, of standing at the same pillory, and of being crucified on the same Calvary. But those who have drunk of His cup shall share His throne. When earth and heaven shall pass away, His fellow-sufferers shall be His chosen body-guard and attendants in a world where all shall love and honor Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 1

1  Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9  daily praying for their increase in grace;
12  he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21  and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27  exhorting them to unity;
28  and to fortitude in persecution

Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:30

Conflict [αγωνα]
Athletic or gladiatorial contest as in 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7. The Philippians saw Paul suffer (Acts 16:19-40; 1 Thessalonians 2:2) as now they have heard about it in Rome. [source]
Conflict [ἀγῶνα]
An athletic contest. See on striving, Colossians 1:29, and compare striving together, Phlippians 1:27. [source]
Ye saw []
In his sufferings at Philippi, 1Thessalonians href="/desk/?q=1th+2:2&sr=1">1 Thessalonians 2:2. [source]
Hear []
Concerning my imprisonment. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 1:30 mean?

the same conflict having such as you saw in me and now hear of me
τὸν αὐτὸν ἀγῶνα ἔχοντες οἷον εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοὶ καὶ νῦν ἀκούετε ἐμοί

αὐτὸν  same 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἀγῶνα  conflict 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγών  
Sense: an assembly,.
οἷον  such  as 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οἷος  
Sense: what sort of, what manner of, such as.
εἴδετε  you  saw 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἐμοὶ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
ἀκούετε  hear  of 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ἐμοί  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.