Philippians: Faithful Suffering

This passage serves as a hinge to the rest of the letter. Paul has established his relationship with the Philippian believers and has praised them for their service to God and ministry with him. Now, Paul begins to challenge them to live out their faith. They needed to conduct themselves as worthy citizens of heaven - standing firm with their "Captain", striving together with their "team" and in no way alarmed by their "opponents". The reason that Paul commands their proper conduct is because they have not only been delivered through Christ, but are also expected to suffer for His sake just as Paul has done.