Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that our true "citizenship" (politeuma) isn't just a metaphor for our way of life, but signifies we belong to a heavenly commonwealth, with its own laws and society, distinct from earthly concerns. This belonging means we don't just passively hope for Jesus' return, but actively await Him as our Savior from this present reality.
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly desires with true believers, explaining that our ultimate belonging and hope are not in this world but in heaven. He's just warned the Philippians about people who are enemies of Christ, living for worldly things, and now he offers them a counter-example: believers whose true home is in heaven, and from there, they eagerly await Jesus' return.
Paul contrasts two groups of people: those who 'mind earthly things' and those who have a different allegiance. Where do you truly belong?
Paul uses the powerful word 'politeuma' here, which means commonwealth or citizenship. It's not just about our conversation or how we talk; it's about our entire way of life, our civic identity.
Two Societies
This isn't about ignoring earthly life, but about understanding that our primary identity and citizenship are elsewhere. It shifts our perspective and priorities.
We're told we 'await a Savior.' What does this waiting look like, and why is it so central to our faith?
The verse doesn't just state our heavenly citizenship; it tells us what flows from it: an active expectation. We are 'awaiting' the Savior.
Waiting with Purpose
Understand the original words
politeuma · Greek Noun
Refers to a colony or the status of being a citizen of a sovereign power; for Christians, it describes the identity, allegiance, and legal status believers hold in the kingdom of God while living on earth.
apekdechomai · Greek Verb
A state of eager anticipation and patient, hopeful watching for a promised future event—in this context, the Second Coming of Christ.
sōtēr · Greek Noun
One who rescues or delivers; a title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine mission to save His people from sin, judgment, and death.
The concept of 'citizenship' in Philippians 3:20 is deeply tied to the Roman Empire's structures and the Philippian believers' likely experience as part of a Roman colony. Paul contrasts earthly Roman citizenship with the heavenly citizenship of believers, a powerful metaphor for their unique identity and hope.
c. 49 BC - 44 BC
Julius Caesar's Dictatorship
Julius Caesar's rise to power and his reforms as dictator, including granting citizenship to many outside of Rome, reshaped Roman political identity.
c. 30 BC - AD 14
Augustus's Reign and Pax Romana
Augustus established the Roman Empire and ushered in the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and prosperity. Roman citizenship was a key element in consolidating this empire.
c. AD 29
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The central event of Christian faith, the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, forms the basis for the Christian hope of salvation and a heavenly kingdom.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ascension and Promise of Return
After his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven, promising his followers that he would return. This event is the foundation for the expectation described in Philippians 3:20.
This passage describes the 'Jerusalem above' as our mother, directly linking to the idea that our true 'citizenship' or 'commonwealth' is heavenly and our ultimate belonging is to God's eternal city.
Hebrews 11:16Here, believers are described as seeking a 'better country, that is a heavenly one,' highlighting the pilgrim's perspective where earthly life is temporary and the focus is on an eternal, heavenly home, just as Philippians 3:20 suggests.
John 14:2-3Jesus promises to prepare a place for His followers and to come back to take them to be with Him, directly supporting the idea in Philippians 3:20 that we await a Savior from heaven who will bring us home.
Colossians 3:1-2This passage explicitly tells believers to 'set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,' which perfectly complements the concept of heavenly citizenship by directing our thoughts and affections towards our eternal home.
Ephesians 2:19By stating that believers are 'fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,' this verse reinforces the idea that our community and belonging are not primarily earthly but heavenly.
barnesPhilippians 3:20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
For our conversation is in heaven - That is, this is true of all who are sincere Christians. It is a characteristic of Christians, in contradistinction from those who are the "enemies of the cross," that their conversation is in heaven. The word "conversation" we now apply almost entirely to oral discourse. It formerly, however, meant conduct in general, and it is usually empl…
gillPhilippians 3:20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
For our conversation is in heaven,.... The Ethiopic version renders it, "we have our city in heaven"; and the words may be truly rendered, "our citizenship is in heaven"; that is, the city whereof we are freemen is heaven, and we behave ourselves here below, as citizens of that city above: heaven is the saints' city; here they have no continuing city, but they seek one to come…
The verse highlights that our true "citizenship" (politeuma) isn't just a metaphor for our way of life, but signifies we belong to a heavenly commonwealth, with its own laws and society, distinct from earthly concerns. This belonging means we don't just passively hope for Jesus' return, but actively await Him as our Savior from this present reality.
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly desires with true believers, explaining that our ultimate belonging and hope are not in this world but in heaven. He's just warned the Philippians about people who are enemies of Christ, living for worldly things, and now he offers them a counter-example: believers whose true home is in heaven, and from there, they eagerly await Jesus' return.
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly desires with true believers, explaining that our ultimate belonging and hope are not in this world but in heaven. He's just warned the Philippians about people who are enemies of Christ, living for worldly things, and now he offers them a counter-example: believers whose true home is in heaven, and from there, they eagerly await Jesus' return.
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This expectation transforms waiting from a passive state into an active part of our spiritual life, coloring our perspective on current circumstances and fueling our hope.
c. AD 50-60
Paul's Ministry and Letter to Philippi
The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen, founded the church in Philippi. This letter was written from prison, addressing issues of Christian identity and conduct within the Roman world.
c. AD 64
Nero's Persecution of Christians
Under Emperor Nero, Christians in Rome faced severe persecution, intensifying the sense of alienation from the Roman state and reinforcing their identity as citizens of heaven.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," — The verse highlights that our true "citizenship" (politeuma) isn't just a metaphor for our way of life, but signifies we belong to a heavenly commonwealth, with its own laws and society, distinct fro…
