Philippians 1:30: Engaged in the Same Conflict

Philippians 1:30
[30] engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (ESV)

I like this word same. Same conflict. Paul reminds the people at Philippi that the struggle they are going through is just like the struggle that Paul encountered on his first trip to Philippi. To find out exactly what that struggle was like we need only go to the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts gives us the backdrop of what happened in the Early Church. Let's take a look:

Acts 16:22–24
[22] The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. [23] And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. [24] Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. (ESV)

Paul and Silas had come to Philippi, preaching the Gospel. They were falsely accused of disturbing the city after Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl. They were beaten severely and put in prison. Paul is again in prison, writing this letter to his brothers and sisters in the faith at Philippi. The are encountering the same struggle.

When we are going through great struggle there is comfort in knowing that we do not go through it alone. Paul can identify with the Philippian struggle. They can identify with Paul's struggle. Same. The reality is this. As believers in Jesus Christ we are all connected. Same. When one part suffers we all suffer. Same.

Think of someone who is struggling. Reach out to them today. Let them know that when they are struggling you are struggling with them. Same.