Philippians 1:28

without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul, writing from imprisonment, addresses the Philippian congregation amid active opposition to the gospel. He follows a call to stand firm together (v. 27) and precedes a statement about suffering being granted (v. 29).

The words — πτυρόμενοι (pturomenoi) is a vivid, almost physical term for being terrified or dismayed, stronger than a simple "not afraid." ἀντικειμὲνοι (antikeimenōn) literally means "set against," evoking a hostile force arrayed in opposition.

The thread — 2 Thessalonians 1:5 links suffering under opposition to God's righteous judgment and the believer's worthiness for the kingdom. 2 Timothy 1:7 and Matthew 10:28 both reorient fear away from human opponents and toward God or the soul's true stake.

Why it lands — The verse does not promise the opposition will stop; it reclassifies it as the opponents' own evidence of destruction. The reader is asked to hold steady not by minimizing the threat but by recognizing that the same force threatening them is marking their salvation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Isaiah 51:7 Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
2 Timothy 2:11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”