1:29

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For joins the text in 1:29 to what Paul said in 1:27–28. It gives the reason for what Paul had just been saying there.

it has been granted to you: Commentators agree that the word granted implies that God had given the Philippian believers a special privilege or favor. God was being good to them by allowing them to suffer for Christ.

Some languages have different words for giving gifts and giving privileges. The choice of words may also depend on how the status (or importance) of the one who gives relates to the status of the one who receives. Consider how your people view the status of God in relation to the status of people.

on behalf of Christ: The phrase on behalf of Christ may relate to 1:29 in three ways. Therefore, there are three possible interpretations:

(1) The phrase relates primarily to the word “suffer.” This can be expressed, for example, as “It has been granted to you to suffer for Christ, not only to believe in him.” Many commentators hold this view.

(2) The phrase relates to both “believe” and “suffer.” This can be expressed, for example, as “It has been granted to you to believe in Christ and to suffer for him.” This is very close in meaning to the first interpretation. In fact, it is not possible to know which of these views a number of English versions follow. (God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

(3) The phrase relates to the phrase “it has been granted to you.” This can be expressed, for example. as “For Christ’s sake this has been granted to you : to believe in him and to suffer for him.” (New International Version, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

The first interpretation is recommended (1), but in translation there may be no difference between that and the second.

believe in Him: This means the same as “believe on him” or “put your trust in him.” You could also translate it as “trust him” or “believe what he says.”

suffer for Him: The phrase suffer for Him means that a person is persecuted because he believes in Christ. It means to experience pain (physical or emotional) for Christ’s sake.

It is possible to rephrase the whole sentence (1:29) as:

God not only has allowed you to believe in Christ but also has given you the privilege of suffering for Christ.

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