Only let your manner of life be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
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Gaius Marius Victorinus
AD 400
There is one Spirit that prevails when we believe the gospel wisely and live in accordance with it. This is why he calls them to “stand firm in one Spirit.” The soul’s task is to overcome contrary feelings in the body. Therefore he in effect is calling them to “stand in one Spirit and fight together with one soul with the faith of the gospel.”
The summing up of one’s whole life for a Christian is this, to conduct oneself according to Christ’s gospel, to announce his grace steadily both to oneself and others, to have hope in him, to do all that one does according to his commands. For this is what it means to “conduct oneself in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s gospel.” A person can live honestly and uprightly, but this is not adequate to Paul’s meaning. Rather we are to conduct ourselves according to Christ’s gospel regardless of what happens and to do so in a worthy manner, living according to Christ’s precepts and doing what Christ wants.
Whether when I come, and see you This implies a doubt of his seeing them again. At least endeavour you to lead a life worthy of the gospel, according to the principles of your faith; and be not terrified by your adversaries and persecutors: God permits this for your salvation, though an occasion of perdition to your persecutors: you having the like to combat as you have seen in me, when whipped at Philippi. See Acts xvi. (Witham)
All that he has said is for this single purpose, to exhort them to live a life worthy of the gospel. … What does only mean? This is the one thing looked for, and nothing else. Where this is, no hurt can befall us. .
Do you see, how all that he has said, tends to turn them to this one thing, advancement in virtue? Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. What means this word only, but that this, and nought else, is the only thing we should seek? If we have this, nothing grievous will befall us. That whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your state. This he says not as if he had changed his purpose, and no longer meant to visit them. But if this come to pass, he says, even though absent, I am able to rejoice. If, that is, I hear that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul. This is what above all things unites believers, and maintains love unbroken, that they may be one. John 17:11 For a kingdom divided against itself shall not stand. Mark 3:24 For this cause he everywhere counsels his disciples much to be of one mind. And Christ says, By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 That is, do not look with expec...
He does not imply by saying this that he is changing his mind or that he is not going to come. Rather he is saying whether he comes or not, regardless of what comes to pass, they may stand firm even in his absence. .
If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live
