1:28a

without being frightened: It may be helpful to translate this as a command. For example:

Do not have [any] fear [of those who oppose you.]
-or-
Do not [let your enemies] frighten you [at all.]

in any way: The phrase in any way gives emphasis. The Good News Translation shows this emphasis by using two verbs:

don’t be afraid…always be courageous (Good News Translation)

Two translation suggestions that express this emphasis are:

Do not let your enemies find any way to frighten you.
-or-
Do not be afraid of them at all.

those who oppose you: This refers to people who were enemies of the gospel and therefore opposed those who believed in Christ. Possible translations are:

those who persecute you
-or-
those who cause you trouble

The enemies mentioned here in 1:27–28 were probably non-Christians who were persecuting the believers in Philippi as they had persecuted Paul when he was in Philippi (Acts 16).

1:28b

This is a clear sign: In other words: “This is proof to your enemies.” The word This refers back to the phrase “without being frightened” in 1:28a. The believers were not afraid to be faithful to God even though they suffered. This fearlessness was a sign that God controlled their lives and therefore that those who opposed the believers were opposing God.

their destruction: This implies that God would eternally destroy them. The word destruction refers to spiritual ruin. It means that they would not live eternally with God.

of your salvation: This implies that God would give the Philippians eternal life.

It may be more natural in your language to reverse these last two clauses. For example:

God will save you but he will destroy them.

1:28c

and it is from God: This can be understood in three main ways:

(1) God was the one who caused all this to happen. In this case the word it (Greek touto) refers in a general way to all of 1:28, to the courage of the believers and what their courage proved. God caused them not to be afraid and so gave evidence that he would destroy the enemies and save the believers. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Revised Standard Version)

(2) God is the one who gave the sign. The Greek word touto specifically refers back to the word “sign”. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(3) God is the one who will save the believers and destroy their enemies. (New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version and New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

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