Philippians 3:20-21
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The original Greek word translated as "citizenship" (politeuma) points not just to where we belong, but to the entire "commonwealth" or "state" we are a part of. This means our identity, governance, and laws come from heaven, not earth, shaping our entire way of life as we await Christ's return.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly things with true believers, urging the Philippians to follow his example. He clarifies that while the former are focused on worldly gains and often live in opposition to Christ, believers have their true citizenship in heaven. From this heavenly perspective, they eagerly await Jesus Christ's return as their Savior, a hope that shapes their present lives and sets them apart from the world.
Paul contrasts those who 'mind earthly things' with a radical alternative. What does it mean to have your 'citizenship' somewhere else?
Paul uses a powerful Greek word, politeuma, to describe the Christian's identity. It doesn't just mean where you live, but the entire framework of your society: its laws, its government, its way of life.
For the Philippian believers, and for us today, this means our primary allegiance, our ultimate belonging, isn't to any earthly nation or system. Our 'commonwealth' is in heaven.
This doesn't mean we ignore earthly responsibilities, but that our perspective, our values, and our ultimate hope are rooted in God's heavenly kingdom. We are 'in the world' but not 'of the world.' We live by heavenly principles, even while walking on earthly ground.
Our heavenly citizenship isn't just about where we're from; it's about where we're going and who we're waiting for.
The text says from heaven we 'await a Savior.' This waiting, expressed by the Greek word apekdechometha, signifies more than passive hope; it's an eager, patient expectation. It's an active looking forward.
This anticipation is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ, who ascended to heaven, will return. He is not just a historical figure but a living Lord who will come back to gather His people.
This future hope profoundly impacts the present. It fuels our endurance through trials, motivates us to live righteously, and reminds us that this world is not our permanent home. Our Savior's return is the culmination of our heavenly citizenship.
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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.
metaschēmatisei · Greek Verb
The act of changing one thing into another in form, appearance, or nature. In a theological context, it refers to the radical eschatological change of the believer's body at the resurrection.
sōma · Greek Noun
Referring to the physical frame of human beings. It often carries the sense of frailty, mortality, or being subject to the limitations of the current age, especially in contrast to the future resurrected state.
tapeinōseōs · Greek Noun (genitive)
Describing that which is humble, base, or humiliated. In this context, it highlights the inherent weakness, mortality, and susceptibility to suffering of the present human condition.
doxēs · Greek Noun (genitive)
Refers to the manifestation of God’s splendor, majesty, and divine radiance. A "glorious body" is one that has been resurrected and glorified, possessing the qualities of immortality and incorruptibility.
energeian · Greek Noun
Refers to inherent power, capability, or might. In Scripture, it often denotes the divine energy or effective force by which God accomplishes His purposes, particularly in creation and resurrection.
hypotaxai · Greek Verb
The act of bringing into submission, order, or authority. It implies the ultimate establishment of Christ’s sovereign reign over all of creation, putting everything under His divine control.
This passage directly echoes the promise of Jesus returning from heaven to take believers to Himself, reinforcing the 'awaiting a Savior' aspect of Philippians 3:20.
Hebrews 11:13-16This section describes Old Testament figures who lived as 'strangers and exiles on earth' because they were looking for a better, heavenly country, paralleling the idea of having a heavenly citizenship and a future hope.
Colossians 3:1-4This passage explicitly instructs believers to 'seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God' and to let their minds dwell there, directly supporting the concept of having a heavenly focus and citizenship.
Ephesians 2:19This verse states that believers are 'fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,' highlighting the communal and foundational aspect of being part of God's heavenly kingdom.
Titus 2:13This verse describes believers as 'waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,' which perfectly aligns with the expectation of Christ's return from heaven.
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 original Greek word translated as "citizenship" (politeuma) points not just to where we belong, but to the entire "commonwealth" or "state" we are a part of. This means our identity, governance, and laws come from heaven, not earth, shaping our entire way of life as we await Christ's return.
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly things with true believers, urging the Philippians to follow his example. He clarifies that while the former are focused on worldly gains and often live in opposition to Christ, believers have their true citizenship in heaven. From this heavenly perspective, they eagerly await Jesus Christ's return as their Savior, a hope that shapes their present lives and sets them apart from the world.
Paul contrasts those who live for earthly things with true believers, urging the Philippians to follow his example. He clarifies that while the former are focused on worldly gains and often live in opposition to Christ, believers have their true citizenship in heaven. From this heavenly perspective, they eagerly await Jesus Christ's return as their Savior, a hope that shapes their present lives and sets them apart from the world.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." — The original Greek word translated as "citizenship" (politeuma) points not just to where we belong, but to the entire "commonwealth" or "state" we are a part of. This means our identity, governance,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
