Philippians 3:20-21 20For our citizenship exists in heaven, from which we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Paul shifts from the earthly thinking of the enemies of the cross and reminds the Philippians of their new way of thinking focused on heaven. This contrast is clearly implied with the shift of the subject to the first person our. The word translated as citizenship (politeuma) refers to a commonwealth or state and would speak loudly to those who lived in Philippi, which was part of the Roman empire. Those in Philippi were part of the Roman empire. Believers, however, are citizens of something even greater. We may live in this world, but our identity and passports say heaven. As 1 Peter 2:11 states, believers are resident aliens in this world. We are part of a greater kingdom that is not determined by borders, pledges of allegiances, flags, languages, or races. This new kingdom is made of people from all tribes, nations, races, and languages.
We have this citizenship now (present tense of the verb hyparchei), and so we eagerly await our Savior. Verse 20 shows Paul’s anticipation of Jesus second coming (called eschatology). Believers wait for this with eagerness because we know that will bring an end to this present evil age and fulfill God’s plan of redemption and salvation. It will be the close of one era and bring believers into eternity. When Paul mentions Savior, his attention goes fully to the Lord Jesus Christ. Using this full title and description of Jesus gives a sense of majesty and honor. The citizens of Rome called Caesar “lord.” Citizens of heaven call Jesus “Messiah” and “Lord.” This confession brings a new sense of purpose and impacts how a person lives.
Verse 21 continues to explain Paul’s eschatology and his hope for resurrection when Jesus comes again. It echoes what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 5. This will be the fulfillment of the hope expressed in 3:11. Our lowly body refers to the weak, fleshly bodies in which we live now. Lowly (tapeinōseōs) can also mean “humble” and brings to mind how Jesus humbled himself in 2:6-11 by taking on human form. After his resurrection, his body was transformed into a glorious body. The Gospels give hints of what his body was like. Jesus could walk through walls yet share in a fish breakfast. After his resurrection, Jesus was exalted to the highest place of honor. This heavenly existence is spiritual in nature. To be in the presence of God will be an experience of glory. Paul looks forward to when our humble, fleshly bodies will become glorious and spiritual in nature (1 Corinthians 15:44-45). This will be a transforming experience. Our essential person will not change. But all that holds us down and causes us problems in this world due to sin, decay, and death will be removed.
This all will happen by the same divine power that raised Jesus and exalted him to the highest place of honor at the righthand of the Father. This is the same creative power that spoke creation into existence. What tremendous availability we have for transformation. Those who conform to the suffering of Christ (3:10) will be transformed when he comes again. As 2:10-11 remind us, everything will recognize the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus. All things are subject to him already now. We can choose to accept this and have our citizenship in heaven, or we can refuse this grace and become enemies of the cross. Paul has offered the Philippians himself as an example of someone who has counted the cost of suffering and found that the outcome will be worth it all.
For older posts, click here.