Bible Strands
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul, writing from prison to the Philippians who are being pressed by opponents. He is reframing their persecution as a divine grant, not a sign of abandonment.
The words — ἐχαρὶσθη (echaristhē), aorist passive of χαρίζομαι, literally "it was granted as a favor." Suffering is cast in the grammar of a gift from God, not a penalty.
The thread — Acts 5:41 records the apostles leaving the Sanhedrin "rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." 1 Peter 4:13 repeats the logic: rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings.
Why it lands — The verse removes the assumption that suffering signals God's absence; it asks the reader to stop measuring their standing by comfort and start measuring it by inclusion in Christ's story.
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
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Cross-references
- James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
- Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
- Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- Colossians 2:12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.