Conduct Worthy of the Fellowship

As sure as rain falls on the just and unjust, there will be unbelievers to oppose the word of God and YOU if you are sharing the good news.

Phil 1: 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you

Here Paul is exhorting the church to stand strong in spite of external opposition.

The following passage, however, deals with how we are to conduct ourselves within the fellowship. (Fellowship is the ancient Greek word koinonia. It means the sharing of things in common, communing with one another. It occurs 20 times in the Bible.)


Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship (Koinonia) with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same (agape) love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.) 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus It goes on to explain that even though Christ was equal with God, HE became a bond servant all the way to the cross, for us. (Philippians 2:8).

Paul is asking rhetorical questions in Phil 2:1. He knew that of course the truth is we do have all those things mentioned in verse 1, if we are born again of spirit. We are then admonished to be like-minded. What does that mean? Read on to v.2. We are to have the same love and be in one spirit and purpose, unity of purpose.

The root of the Christian heart is this agape and it comes to fruition as we grow and mature in HIM. [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Colossians 2:2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. (Agape)



John 17:23 Jesus said ”I am in them, and you are in me. So they are completely united. In this way the world knows that you have sent me and that you have loved them in the same way you have loved me.” GOD'S WORD Translation

He also said in John 13:35 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (New International Version)


Ephesians 4:16 … when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. English Standard Version

During this day, I would encourage all of us to consider some practical ways by which we may demonstrate love, unity, and fellowship. How can we display that our hearts are knit together in love?

We have the mind of Christ because we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. 1Corinthians 2:16


For further study, here are some scriptures that remind us of how we are to treat one another based on Koinonia, in Agape love:

Are we living in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8), We should be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), Let us accept one another (Romans 15:7), and of course serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13), It is important to admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), And don’t forget to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13), exhort one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), and it is all evidence of loving one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12). Do we honor one another? (Romans 12:10), Are we devoted to one another? (Romans 12:10), be hospitable (1 Peter 4:9),

Grayce Pedulla Dillon © 2010




Phil 1: 27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

Sooo, fellowship was sweet, but we were still freezing. We just huddled close. We met in a block building without heat. This is FLORIDA!!!