Philippians 1:27–30, Part 2

The remainder of this section (1:27b–30) expresses what it means to live in such a way as the apostle envisions. Paul employs a purpose clause ("in order that") merely as a means to spell out how the Christians in Philippi should be behaving: the important thing is not, of course, whether he "is able to come and see" or "hear" the following things about them, but that they are in fact conducting themselves as he proceeds to spell out.

What comprises conduct worthy of the gospel is, in part, unity. Later Paul discusses unity in contrast to conceited, self-interested behavior, whose opposite is seen in Christ's self-denying obedience (2.1-8); here, he describes it ("stand in one Spirit," [manner]) as a stance Christ-believers should assume as they [temporal] "strive together [again, manner] for [i.e., 'in the interest of'] the faith." (By "the faith," Paul means the gospel.)

Just because different people may be declaring and fighting for the same gospel does not mean that they are doing so in a way that truly embodies that gospel and models unity. We recall how earlier in the same chapter Paul speaks of those who preached Christ "from envy and rivalry" (1:15). While he concluded there, however, that ultimately what was important was that "Christ is proclaimed" (1:18), here (1:28) he emphasizes that it does in fact matter how those proclaiming Christ stand in relation to the rest of the family of believers.

Next Paul moves to what must have been a central concern to his recipients: opponents of the gospel. Even as [temporal, parallel with the preceding clause] the Philippians are to stand together as a united body in their defense of the gospel, they are, outwardly, to protect themselves against fear of those who oppose them and/or their message.

It's not clear to whom Paul is referring here, but one might suppose, based on 3:1-2, that such opponents urge a more strict adherence to certain behavioral precepts (the law? circumcision?). Regardless of their identity, Paul is clear that the Philippians should not be frightened "in anything [means, i.e., 'by'] by those standing against you." Interestingly, the apostle does not care to elaborate why the Philippians ought not to fear, but instead chooses to dwell on the significance/repercussions of such an attitude.