Philippians 1:29
- NKJV – For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
- NASB – For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
The Bible clearly teaches that a Christian’s saving faith in Christ and the privilege of suffering for the lifestyle that results from that very faith are both gracious gifts from God (John 6:44, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 5:10-12, Acts 5:41). And by looking at the two different translations of Philippians 1:29 above, we can see a deep truth regarding the amazing relationship we have with Christ.
The only difference in these translations is:
- NKJV – ‘granted on behalf of Christ’
- NASB – ‘granted for Christ’s sake’
But there is no disagreement here; the apparent difference is a result of perspective!
- NKJV focuses on Christ’s love for us and faith in His Church (Him to us). NASB focuses on our love for Christ and faith in Him as God (us to Him)
- 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
- John 17:20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
- John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
- Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
Christ showed His love for and faith in future believers by suffering and dying for us. We should show our love for Christ by a willingness to suffer because of our faith in Him.
