Our Citizenship Is In Heaven: What Does Philippians 3:20 Mean?

Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” King James Version (KJV)

TranslationPhilippians 3:20
ESVBut our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
NASBFor our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
NIVBut our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
NLTBut we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Also, see the meaning of Let This Mind Be In You in the Bible.

Our Citizenship Is In Heaven: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

3:12-21 This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour’s likeness.

He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ.

He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours.

Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way.

True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts.

In these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world.

If they differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven.

Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed, and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner’s shame, especially when gloried in.

The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end.

The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection.

Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought.

May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service.

Also, see the meaning of Let God Be True and Every Man Be a Liar in the Bible.

Philippians 3:20 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

our conversation—rather, “our state” or “country”; our citizenship: our life as citizens. We are but pilgrims on earth; how then should we “mind earthly things?” (Php 3:19; Heb 11:9, 10, 13-16).

Roman citizenship was then highly prized; how much more should the heavenly citizenship (Ac 22:28; compare Lu 10:20)?
is—Greek, “has its existence.”

in heaven—Greek, “in the heavens.”

look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ—”We wait for (so the same Greek is translated, Ro 8:19) the Lord Jesus as a (that is, in the capacity of a) Saviour” (Heb 9:28). That He is “the Lord,” now exalted above every name, assures our expectation (Php 2:9-11).

Our High Priest is gone up into the Holy of Holies not made with hands, there to atone for us; and as the Israelites stood outside the tabernacle, expecting Aaron’s return (compare Lu 1:21), so must we look unto the heavens expecting Christ thence.

Also, see the meaning of I Have Learned To Be Content in the Bible.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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