For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ " (Lightfoot 1)

for it is his grace, his privilege bestowed upon you, that for Christ (Lightfoot 2)

For to you has been given the privilege of doing something for Christ (Barclay) 

You are given, in this battle, the privilege (Phillips)

And the reason why you should not be terrified is because to you that very thing was given graciously as a favor for the sake of Christ and in His behalf, not only to be believing on Him but also to be suffering for His sake and in His behalf" (Wuest)

For (hoti) explains the reason the saints at Philippi did not need to be terrified by their opponents. Why? Because the opposition had been bequeathed to them from God as a gift of grace as explained below!

Granted (5483) (charizomai from charis meaning grace click here for in depth study of charis) signifies a gift of grace and is the same verb Paul used in Philippians 2:9 (note) to describe the "bestowal" of the Name above every name upon Jesus. Suffering for the sake of Christ is the gift of grace or as both Barclay and Phillips put it "the privilege".

Note the two gifts: (1) The gift of faith which enables us to believe in Christ in the first place. Without this gift from the Lord, we would never be saved in the first place. (2) Then there is the gift of suffering—but it is the gift no one wants.

Entering into the new covenant and becoming one with Christ brings believers into a unique fellowship, one that carries with it the privilege of sharing in His suffering (see note Philippians 3:10).

Although our flesh shrinks from this genre of teaching, the clarion call to suffer is not unique to the writings of Paul, for Jesus also warned His disciples (including us today) that

"you will be hated by all on account of My name" (Mt 10:22) for "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me."  (Jn 15:18 15:19 15:20 15:21) 

Keep in mind the Scriptural principle that the cross always precedes the crown --  temporal suffering now but eternal glory in the hereafter. The meaning and value of the suffering lay in the fact that it is for Christ's sake. A lot of suffering is self-made, the result of sinful behavior or actions and is not the "quality" of suffering Paul is referring to here.

Suffering for the Name of Christ develops our spiritual muscles and gives us fresh courage to face whatever foe we may encounter. And let us never forget that our side ultimately wins! We need the attitude of the early Christians one of whom was addressed by a scoffer

"What is your Carpenter doing now?"

And the answer of the unperturbed Christian was bold

"Making a coffin for your Emperor!"

When you suffer, apply this litmus test -- for whose sake am I suffering? for my name's sake or His? And remember you are not alone...

Peter writes that when we are be attacked by the devil we are to...

resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while (relative to eternity), the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (see notes 1 Peter 5:9; 5:10)

All suffering not for Christ's sake, albeit very real, is but worthless wood, hay and stubble at the judgment seat of Christ. Don't suffer for the wrong reason.

Paul describing the privilege the Macedonia churches had to suffer for Christ wrote that in a

"great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality." (2Cor 8:2)

Lightfoot adds that

When God has granted one the High privilege of suffering for His Name it is one of the surest signs that He looks upon you with favor" because to suffer for Christ (in the interest of His cause) is a favor granted only to those who believe in him.

Dr. Griffith John wrote that once when he was surrounded by a hostile heathen crowd and was beaten, he put his hand to his face and when he withdrew it, saw that it was bathed in blood.

He was possessed by an extraordinary sense of exaltation, and he rejoiced that he had been counted worthy to suffer for His Name.

Is it not remarkable that even suffering is exalted by Christianity to such a lofty plane? As someone has said even “an apparent trifle burns with the fire immortal when it is in communion with the Infinite.” The cross dignifies and ennobles.

Gordon Fee writes that

One of the reasons most of us in the West do not know more about the content of Philippians 1:29-30 is that we have so poorly heeded the threefold exhortation that precedes (Phil 1:27)" (Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. New International Commentary on the New Testament series. Page 173. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995)

not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake: ou monon to eis auton pisteuein (PAN) alla kai to huper autou paschein (PAN): (Mt16:17; Jn1:12 1:13; 6:44;6:45 Act13:39; 14:27; Ep2:8; Col2:12; Js1:17 1:18) 

yea, that ye should not only believe on him, but also should suffer for him (Lightfoot 2) 

the privilege of not only believing in him, but also of suffering for him, for you have the same struggle as that in which you have seen me engaged, and which now you hear that I am undergoing. (Barclay) 

not merely of believing in Christ but also of suffering for his sake. It is now your turn to take part in that battle you once saw me engaged in, and which, in point of fact, I am still fighting. (Phillips)

Believe (4100) (pisteuo) means to  be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust in, to place reliance upon. There is an active staking of one's life on the claims of God. In other words Biblical, saving belief denotes more than passive intellectual assent to the facts about Jesus. The faith in and reliance upon Jesus involves not only the consent of the mind, but an act of the heart and will of the subject. Note that the verb is in the present tense.

Vine has the following definition of Biblical belief writing that it is...

(1) A firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth (2Th 2:11,12 )

(2) a personal surrender to the Truth (Jn1:12) and

(3) a conduct inspired by and consistent with that surrender

The Greek scholar Marvin Vincent adds that pisteuo...

means to persuade, to cause belief, to induce one to do something by persuading, and so runs into the meaning of to obey, properly as the result of persuasion. (Vincent's Word Studies)

Hendriksen writes that we are to...

to believe in him, that is, to rest on Christ, surrendering oneself to his loving heart, depending on his accomplished mediatorial work. The form of the expression as used in the original shows that here genuine, personal trust in the Anointed One is meant.  Whether or not one regards Eph. 2:8 as proof for the proposition that such faith is God’s gift, the conclusion is at any rate inescapable that here in Phil. 1:29 faith — not only its inception but also its continued activity — is so regarded. It is at one and the same time God’s gift and man’s responsibility. (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. Baker Book or Logos)

Suffer (3958) (pascho) is to experience a sensation, to experience an impression from an outside source, to undergo an experience (usually difficult) and normally with the implication of physical or psychological suffering. Pascho can refer to experiencing something pleasant, but in the present context it clearly refers to suffering, experiencing something trying, distressing or painful.

The suffering of a saint for the sake of Christ can take many forms: physical pain, isolation, loneliness, grief, anxiety, etc. Because so many saints do not understand the benefits of suffering, few of them view suffering for their testimony as a blessing, even though Scripture clearly teaches that is what it is. Suffering is one of the tools God uses to mold his children into vessels that bring glory to His Son (cf. Js 1:3–4; see exposition of 1Peter 1:6 1:7). Suffering even perfected the Lord Jesus (Heb 2:10).

Hendriksen adds that...

There are adversaries who cause believers to suffer. Now suffering is not a privilege in itself. One should not court suffering. But suffering in behalf of Christ, in the interest of him and his gospel is different. Such suffering is indeed a blessing, a gracious privilege (Acts 5:41), because:

a. It brings Christ nearer to the soul of the Christian. In his suffering for Christ’s sake the believer begins to understand the One who suffered redemptively for him and receives the sweetness of his enduring fellowship. It is “without the gate” that God’s child, reproached by the enemy, meets his Lord (Heb. 13:13). See also such other wonderful passages as Job 42:5, 6; Psalm 119:67; II Cor. 4:10; Gal. 6:17; Heb. 12:6.

b. Accordingly, it brings assurance of salvation, the conviction that the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon the sufferer (see note on 1 Peter 4:14; cf. John 15:19–21).

c. It will be rewarded in the hereafter (see note on Romans 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17; 2 Timothy 2:12; 4:7-8; 1 Peter 4:13).

d. It is often a means of winning unbelievers for Christ and of encouraging fellow-believers (that thought is stressed in the very context; see notes Philippians 1:12-14).

e. By means of all these avenues it leads to the frustration of Satan (book of Job) and the glorification of God (Acts 9:16).  (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. Baker Book or Logos)

Suffering on behalf of Christ is one of God's gifts to us

So they (Peter, et al) went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

How did the Apostles respond to this illegal treatment from their nation’s religious leaders? They rejoiced! William Temple said that Christians are

called to the hardest of all tasks: to fight without hatred, to resist without bitterness, and in the end, if God grant it so, to triumph without vindictiveness.

When Jesus called Saul to be His apostle, He declared

I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name’s sake (Acts 9:16)

Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey returned back through the cities (where they had spoken the gospel and made disciples)

strengthening (Literally, they were placing firmly upon) the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith (Continuance is a proof of true faith in Jesus Christ and was an exhortation especially important in light of the next statement), and saying, ”Through many tribulations (troubles, afflictions, situations that crush, press and squeeze us) we must enter the kingdom of God (its future aspect, when believers will share Christ’s glory) (Acts 14:22) 

Paul made it very clear that living the Christian life was not an easy thing and that they would all have to expect trials and sufferings before they would see the Lord in glory. Christians therefore need to be reminded to expect hardships and persecution and not be dismayed by them.

Paul teaches that believers are God's

children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him (see note Romans 8:17)

Proof of the believer’s ultimate glory is that he suffers because of His Lord, whether this suffering comes as mockery, ridicule, or physical persecution. The sufferings in this life create reactions in us that reflect the genuine condition of our soul. God allows suffering to drive believers to dependence on Him-an evidence of their true salvation. Suffering because of our faith not only gives evidence that we belong to God and are destined for heaven but also is a type of preparation for heaven. That is why Paul was so eager to experience “the fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings, being conformed to His death” (see note Philippians 3:10)

As McGee asks

My friend, what are you enduring for Him today? Whatever it is, Paul makes it clear that it is just a light thing we are going through now. But there is a weighty thing, an “eternal weight of glory” that is coming someday. In eternity we will wish that we had suffered a little more for Him, because that is the way He schools and trains us. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos

Peter encourages saints who were suffering writing

Beloved, do not be surprised (do not be amazed and bewildered) at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. (see notes 1 Peter 4:12; 1 Peter 4:13)

Suffering also brings power (2Co 7:9, 10; see note of 1Pe 5:10) as well eternal reward (see note 1 Peter 4:13, 2Cor 4:17).

In (Col 1:24 - see note) Paul says that he fills

up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" in his flesh "for His body's sake.

Our Lord's sufferings for righteousness' sake which He endured as a result of human antagonism against Himself, ended with His death on the Cross. He has left with the Church the message of God's righteousness demand and gracious provision of salvation, the preaching and teaching of which draws the antagonism of the world. Thus, as the saints suffer for righteousness'' sake, they substitute for their absent Lord not only in the task of preaching the message He has given them but also in suffering for His sake and in His stead. Don't misunderstand...our suffering for Christ's sake has no atoning value for the full price for complete atonement of sins and redemption of men from bondage thereof has been paid at Calvary by our Lord (Jn 19:30)

In sum, the presence of suffering is a gift! If we were suffering for ourselves, it would be no privilege, but because we are suffering for and with Christ, it is a high and holy honor. After all, He suffered for us, and a willingness to suffer for Him is the very least we can do to show our love and gratitude.

An anonymous poet once penned the following words which speak to the issue of suffering in a Christian's life...

Not till each loom is silent,
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God reveal the pattern
And explain the reason why

The dark threads were as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
For the pattern which He planned

A Few Blessed "Dividends" of the Gift of Suffering

"We do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Yet when we suffer for Christ’s sake, if we faithfully represent Christ, our message and example will affect us and others for good. Suffering has these additional benefits

(1) it takes our eyes off of earthly comforts;
(2) it weeds out superficial believers;
(3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure; and
(4) it serves as an example to others who may follow us.

When we suffer for our faith, it doesn’t mean that we have done something wrong. In fact, it may achieve the opposite effect by verifying that we have been faithful. Use suffering to build your character. Don’t resent it or let it tear you down." (from Life Application Commentary)

ILLUSTRATIONS

F B Meyer (Our Daily Homily) wrote that...

The child of God is often called to suffer, because nothing will convince onlookers of the reality and power of true religion as suffering will do, when it is borne with Christian resignation and fortitude. And how great the compensations are!

He can keep in such perfect peace. He can make lonely times, when no one is near the couch, to be so full of sweet fellowship and communion. He can put such strong, soft hands under the tired limbs, resting them. He can give refreshment to the spirit when the body is deprived of sleep.

Every one cannot be trusted with suffering. All could not stand the fiery ordeal. They would speak rashly and complainingly, So the Master has to select with careful scrutiny the branches which can stand the knife; the jewels which can bear the wheel. It is given to some to preach, to others to work, but to others to suffer. Accept it as a gift from his hand. Look up and take each throb of pain, each hour of agony, as his gift. Dare to thank Him for it. Look inside the envelope of pain for the message it enfolds. It is a rough packing-case, but there is treasure in it.

And can you not minister to other sufferers? Can you not dictate letters of comfort, or pray for them, or devise little alleviations and surprises for those who have not what you have? Suffering is on Christ’s behalf; it must, then, be intended as part of that great ministry for the world in which He, with his saints, is engaged. There is a sense in which all suffering, borne in the spirit of Calvary, helps men, not in the way of atonement or propitiation, of course, but by the exhibition of the power of God’s grace in the sufferer.

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G Campbell Morgan writes that...

since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (Lightfoot 1)

For ye have entered the same lists, ye are engaged in the same struggle, in which you saw me contending then at Philippi, in which you hear of my contending now in Rome." (Lightfoot 2)

for you have the same struggle as that in which you have seen me engaged, and which now you hear that I am undergoing." (Barclay) 

It is now your turn to take part in that battle you once saw me engaged in, and which, in point of fact, I am still fighting." (Phillips)

Fighting the same fight which you saw in me, and now have word of in me" (BBE)

since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have" (NIV)

We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle." (NLT)

When I was with you, you saw the struggles I had. And you hear about the struggles I am having now. You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles" (ICB)

Now you can take part with me in the battle. It is the same battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as you hear, the one I am fighting still" (TEV)

When I was with you, you saw the struggles I had, and you hear about the struggles I am having now. You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles" (NCV)

You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you must suffer in the same way" (CEV)

having the same struggle which you saw in me and now hear to be in me" (Wuest)

Experiencing (2192) (echo) means to have or possess.

Literally this verse reads "the same conflict having", the present tense indicating that conflict is their continual