Phili 3:20, 1Th 1:10 | JFB | STEP | 20. 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?" ( ). Roman citizenship was then highly prized; how much more should the heavenly citizenship ( ; compare )? 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, ) the Lord Jesus as a (that is, in the capacity of a) Saviour" ( ). That He is "the Lord," now exalted above every name, assures our expectation ( ). 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 ), so must we look unto the heavens expecting Christ thence.

Philippians 3:20

20. 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.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

10. This verse distinguishes them from the Jews, as 1Th 1:9 from the idolatrous Gentiles. To wait for the Lord's coming is a sure characteristic of a true believer, and was prominent amidst the graces of the Thessalonians (1Co 1:7, 8). His coming is seldom called his return (Joh 14:3); because the two advents are regarded as different phases of the same coming; and the second coming shall have features altogether new connected with it, so that it will not be a mere repetition of the first, or a mere coming back again.

his Son . . . raised from the dead—the grand proof of His divine Sonship (Ro 1:4).

delivered—rather as Greek, "who delivereth us." Christ has once for all redeemed us; He is our Deliverer ALWAYS.

wrath to come— (1Th 5:9; Col 3:6).