SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:29
porque a vosotros es concedido acerca de Cristo, no slo que creis en l, sino tambin que padezcis por l,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:29
Verse 29. Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ] umin ecarisqh? To you it is graciously given; it is no small privilege that God has so far honoured you as to permit you to suffer on Christ's account. It is only his most faithful servants that he thus honours. Be not therefore terrified by your enemies; they can do nothing to you which God will not turn to your eternal advantage. We learn from this that it is as great a privilege to suffer for Christ as to believe on him; and the former in certain cases (as far as the latter in all cases) becomes the means of salvation to them who are thus exercised.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ , etc.] For the sake of his Gospel, for the good of his interest, and the glory of his name. The Alexandrian copy reads, to us it is given, etc. not only to believe in him ; for faith in Christ, which is not merely believing that he is the Christ, and all that is said of him, or all that he himself says, but is a seeing of the Son, a going to him, receiving, embracing, leaning, relying, and living upon him, as God's salvation, is a pure gift of grace; it is not in nature, nor in every man, and in whom it is, it is not of themselves, it is the gift of God; the first implantation of it, all its acts and exercise, its increase, and the performance of it at last with power, are all owing to the grace of God; and this is only given to the elect, for it is a distinguishing gift; it is given to them, and them alone, and, therefore called the faith of God's elect: but also to suffer for his sake ; for the sake of Christ personal; for the sake of Christ mystical, for his body's sake the church; for the sake of his Gospel, and for the sake of his cause and interest in the world: now to suffer in name and character, in estate or person, not as an evildoer, but as a Christian, is a gift of God, as faith in Christ is; all the sufferings of the saints are appointed by God; their being called forth to suffer shame for the sake of Christ, is an high honour conferred upon them; all the grace and strength by which they are supported under sufferings for Christ are given to them; and all the glory consequent upon them is not merited by them, which are by no meant to be compared with it, but is the free gift of God through Christ. The same persons to whom it is given to believe in Christ, to them it is given to suffer for him; and they all do in some shape or another, though some more, others less; yet all are partakers of sufferings for Christ, and so are conformed to him their head, and hereby enter the kingdom: now all this is said, as containing so many reasons to encourage believers to have their conversation as becomes the Gospel of Christ, by a steady adherence to it, and a joint contention and striving for it, without being intimidated by their enemies.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 27-30 - Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes thos who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upo gospel promises. The original word "conversation" denotes the conduc of citizens who seek the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth strivin for; there is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man ma sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to heaven, must look abou him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and affection amon Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many things Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability an disposition to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and los for Christ, we are to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly Yet salvation must not be ascribed to bodily afflictions, as thoug afflictions and worldly persecutions deserved it; but from God only i salvation: faith and patience are his gifts __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
οτι 3754 υμιν 5213 εχαρισθη 5483 5681 το 3588 υπερ 5228 χριστου 5547 ου 3756 μονον 3440 το 3588 εις 1519 αυτον 846 πιστευειν 4100 5721 αλλα 235 και 2532 το 3588 υπερ 5228 αυτου 846 πασχειν 3958 5721
Vincent's NT Word Studies
29. It is given - to suffer for His sake (ecarisqh to uper - auotu pascein). Every word here is significant. Suffering is a gift of grace. "It is given" should be "it was given," referring to the gift bestowed when they became Christians. Suffering was the marriage-gift when they were espoused to Christ: the bounty when they enlisted in His service.
Becoming one with Him they entered into the fellowship of His suffering (ch. iii. 10). The gift was not suffering as such. Its meaning and value lay in its being for His sake. The Macedonian churches, and the Philippian church especially, were preeminently suffering churches. See 2 Corinthians viii. 2.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:29 {In the behalf of Christ} (to huper cristou). Literally, "the in behalf of Christ." But Paul divides the idea and uses the article to again both with pisteuein and with pascein. Suffering in behalf of Christ is one of God's gifts to us.
