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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Philippians 3:20 - 3:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Conversation (παλίτευμα)
Only here in the New Testament. Rev., citizenship, commonwealth in margin. The rendering conversation, in the sense of manner of life (see on 1Pe 1:15), has no sufficient warrant; and that πολίτευμα commonwealth, is used interchangeably with πολιτεία citizenship, is not beyond question. Commonwealth gives a good and consistent sense. The state of which we are citizens is in heaven. See on Phi 1:27. Compare Plato: “That city of which we are the founders, and which exists in idea only; for I do not believe that there is such an one anywhere on earth. In Heaven, I replied, there is laid up the pattern of it methinks, which he who desires may behold, and beholding may settle himself there” (“Republic,” 592).
Is in heaven (ὑπάρχει)
The use of this word instead of ἐστι is is peculiar. See on being, Phi 2:6. It has a backward look. It exists now in heaven, having been established there of old. Compare Heb 11:16; Joh 14:2.
We look for (ἀπεκδεχόμεθα)
Rev., wait for. See on 1Co 1:7. Used only by Paul, and in Heb 9:28. Compare Rom 8:19, Rom 8:23, Rom 8:25; Gal 5:5. It indicates earnest, patient waiting and expectation. As in ἀποκαραδοκια earnest expectation, Phi 1:20, the compounded preposition ἀπό denotes the withdrawal of attention from inferior objects. The word is habitually used in the New Testament with reference to a future manifestation of the glory of Christ or of His people.
The Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (σωτῆρα)
Savior has no article, and its emphatic position in the sentence indicates that it is to be taken predicatively with Jesus Christ, and not as the direct object of the verb. Hence render: we await as Savior the Lord, etc. Compare Heb 9:28, “To them that wait for Him will He appear a second time unto salvation.”