Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 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:" — Philippians 1:29 (ASV)

The whole situation was part of God’s gracious provision for those enlisted in the cause of Christ. The privileges enjoyed by Christians included the ability not only to believe in Christ initially at regeneration and subsequently throughout their Christian lives, but also to suffer for him. If we question the propriety of referring to suffering as a privilege and a gracious gift, we must remember that the NT regards suffering as God’s means of achieving his gracious purposes both in his own Son (Hebrews 2:10) and in all believers (James 1:3–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7).