Philippians 1:29

“because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer in His behalf”

“It hath been granted”: “For you have had the privilege granted” (Wey). “To give graciously; ‘to show favor or kindness'” (Jackson p. 38). “In the behalf of Christ”: Suffering in and of itself has no inherent value, and suffering for wrongdoing gains no credit before God (1 Peter 2:20). Yet suffering for the cause of Christ, suffering for doing the right thing, does gain favor with God (1 Peter 2:20). “Not only to believe on Him”: Just having the opportunity to hear God's word (Romans 10:17), is. gift from God, that is, we have not merited or even earned the right to listen to God's message. God's very word to mankind is an act of grace (Acts 20:32). The mere existence of the Bible is. demonstration that God is good and kind to ungrateful and evil men (Luke 6:35). “But also to suffer in His behalf”: New Testament Christians viewed suffering for Christ as. privilege and honor (Acts 5:41). This is the mindset, that Jesus endured so much for me that. am only too willing to endure opposition, trial, temptation, and pain, in order to advance His cause (Colossians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:12).