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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/philippians/3-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/50_Php_03_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Philippians 3:20 - Citizenship in Heaven" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/philippians/3-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/philippians/3-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/philippians/">Philippians</a> > <a href="/philippians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/philippians/3-19.htm" title="Philippians 3:19">◄</a> Philippians 3:20 <a href="/philippians/3-21.htm" title="Philippians 3:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/philippians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/philippians/3.htm">New International Version</a> But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/nlt/philippians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. <a href="/esv/philippians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/bsb/philippians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/blb/philippians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from whence also we are awaiting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/kjv/philippians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/nkjv/philippians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/nasb_/philippians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/nasb/philippians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/nasb77/philippians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/lsb/philippians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/amp/philippians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/csb/philippians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/hcsb/philippians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/asv/philippians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/cev/philippians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ <a href="/erv/philippians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/gwt/philippians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior. <a href="/gnt/philippians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. <a href="/isv/philippians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Our citizenship, however, is in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. <a href="/net/philippians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> But our citizenship is in heaven--and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/nheb/philippians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/wbt/philippians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/wey/philippians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> We, however, are free citizens of Heaven, and we are waiting with longing expectation for the coming from Heaven of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/philippians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/web/philippians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/philippians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For our citizenship is in the heavens, from where we also await a Savior—the Lord Jesus Christ— <a href="/blb/philippians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from whence also we are awaiting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/ylt/philippians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For our citizenship is in the heavens, whence also a Saviour we await -- the Lord Jesus Christ -- <a href="/slt/philippians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For our citizenship is in the heavens; from whence we also expect the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/philippians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/cpdv/philippians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But our way of life is in heaven. And from heaven, too, we await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/nabre/philippians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. <a href="/nrsvce/philippians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/philippians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But our labours are in heavenly things, from whence we look for our Saviour, our LORD Jesus Christ, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/philippians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But our business is in Heaven and from there we look for The Life Giver, our Lord Yeshua The Messiah.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/philippians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/godbey/philippians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For our citizenship is in the heavens; whence we are indeed looking for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/haweis/philippians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But our conversation is in heaven as its citizens, from whence also we are expecting the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/mace/philippians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord. <a href="/wey/philippians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> We, however, are free citizens of Heaven, and we are waiting with longing expectation for the coming from Heaven of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/worrell/philippians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For our citizenship is in Heaven, whence also we are waiting for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; <a href="/worsley/philippians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> from whence also we expect the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ: who will change our vile body, <a href="/parallel/philippians/3-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXomUhcrPbg?start=702" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/philippians/3.htm">Citizenship in Heaven</a> …19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. 20<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4175.htm" title="4175: politeuma (N-NNS) -- A state, commonwealth. From politeuomai; a community, i.e. citizenship.">citizenship</a> <a href="/greek/5225.htm" title="5225: hyparchei (V-PIA-3S) -- To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).">is</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranois (N-DMP) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/553.htm" title="553: apekdechometha (V-PIM/P-1P) -- To expect eagerly, wait for eagerly, look for. From apo and ekdechomai; to expect fully.">we eagerly await</a> <a href="/greek/4990.htm" title="4990: Sōtēra (N-AMS) -- A savior, deliverer, preserver. From sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ.">a Savior</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hou (RelPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">there,</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrion (N-AMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsoun (N-AMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christon (N-AMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> 21who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19</a> Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13-16</a> All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ... <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1-4</a> Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. / For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ... <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a> Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1-2</a> For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, <a href="/john/14-2.htm">John 14:2-3</a> In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <a href="/1_john/3-2.htm">1 John 3:2</a> Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. <a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Romans 8:23</a> Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. <a href="/2_timothy/4-18.htm">2 Timothy 4:18</a> And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2-4</a> I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. / ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” <a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a> For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. <a href="/luke/10-20.htm">Luke 10:20</a> Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a> For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. <a href="/isaiah/65-17.htm">Isaiah 65:17</a> For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For our conversation is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:our.<a href="/philippians/1-18.htm">Philippians 1:18-21</a> What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice… <a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Psalm 16:11</a> Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.<a href="/psalms/17-15.htm">Psalm 17:15</a> As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.conversation.<a href="/isaiah/26-1.htm">Isaiah 26:1,2</a> In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks… <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26</a> But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.<a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19</a> Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;from.<a href="/acts/1-11.htm">Acts 1:11</a> Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16</a> For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:<a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7,8</a> And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, … we look.<a href="/philippians/1-10.htm">Philippians 1:10</a> That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;<a href="/1_corinthians/1-7.htm">1 Corinthians 1:7</a> So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:10</a> And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/3-18.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Citizenship</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Commonwealth</a> <a href="/philippians/1-27.htm">Conversation</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-10.htm">Country</a> <a href="/philippians/2-28.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Expectation</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-8.htm">Free</a> <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-10.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/philippians/3-16.htm">However</a> <a href="/philippians/3-14.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/galatians/5-5.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Savior</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Saviour</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/galatians/5-5.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/acts/28-13.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/4-2.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/numbers/21-28.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/acts/22-28.htm">Citizenship</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">Commonwealth</a> <a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Conversation</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-17.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/titus/2-13.htm">Expectation</a> <a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Free</a> <a href="/colossians/1-5.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/colossians/1-5.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/philippians/4-10.htm">However</a> <a href="/philippians/4-7.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-8.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-1.htm">Savior</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">Saviour</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Philippians 3</div>1. <a href="/philippians/3-1.htm">He warns them to beware of the false teachers;</a> 4. <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;</a> 7. <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;</a> 12. <a href="/philippians/3-12.htm">acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;</a> 15. <a href="/philippians/3-15.htm">He exhorts them to be thus minded;</a> 17. <a href="/philippians/3-17.htm">and to imitate him,</a> 18. <a href="/philippians/3-18.htm">and to decline carnal ways.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the Roman world, citizenship was a prized status, granting rights and privileges. Philippi, a Roman colony, was populated by many Roman citizens who understood the value of this status. Paul uses this concept to remind believers that their ultimate allegiance is not to earthly kingdoms but to the heavenly kingdom. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a>, where He states His kingdom is not of this world. The idea of heavenly citizenship also connects to <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13-16</a>, where the faithful are described as strangers and exiles on earth, seeking a better, heavenly country.and we eagerly await a Savior from there The anticipation of a Savior reflects the early Christian hope in the return of Jesus Christ. This expectation is rooted in Jesus' own promises, such as in <a href="/john/14-3.htm">John 14:3</a>, where He assures His disciples of His return. The term "Savior" was also used in the Roman context to describe emperors, but Paul redirects this title to Jesus, emphasizing His divine role in salvation and deliverance. The eager waiting signifies a posture of readiness and hope, as seen in <a href="/titus/2-13.htm">Titus 2:13</a>, which speaks of waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.the Lord Jesus Christ This title affirms the divinity and authority of Jesus. "Lord" (Kyrios in Greek) was a term used for God in the Septuagint and also for Roman emperors, but Paul applies it to Jesus, asserting His supreme authority. The name "Jesus" refers to His role as Savior (<a href="/matthew/1-21.htm">Matthew 1:21</a>), and "Christ" (Messiah) signifies His anointed role as the promised deliverer. This phrase encapsulates the Christian confession of faith, as seen in <a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9</a>, where acknowledging Jesus as Lord is central to salvation. The full title underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and His divine mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing to the church in Philippi to encourage them in their faith and to remind them of their heavenly citizenship. 2. <a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a> A Roman colony in Macedonia, known for its patriotic Roman citizens. The Philippians would have understood the concept of citizenship deeply, making Paul's metaphor particularly poignant. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Referred to as the Savior whom believers eagerly await. His return is a central hope for Christians, emphasizing the future aspect of their heavenly citizenship. 4. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The realm where believers' true citizenship lies, contrasting with earthly citizenship and emphasizing a spiritual allegiance. 5. <a href="/topical/r/roman_citizenship.htm">Roman Citizenship</a> A significant status in the ancient world, providing rights and privileges. Paul uses this concept to illustrate the superior and eternal nature of heavenly citizenship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_identity.htm">Heavenly Identity</a> As Christians, our primary identity is as citizens of heaven. This should influence our values, priorities, and how we live our daily lives. <a href="/topical/e/eager_expectation.htm">Eager Expectation</a> The anticipation of Christ's return should fill us with hope and motivate us to live in a way that honors Him. <a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_earthly_citizenship.htm">Contrast with Earthly Citizenship</a> While earthly citizenship has its benefits, it is temporary. Our eternal citizenship in heaven offers us a greater hope and purpose. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_ambassadors.htm">Living as Ambassadors</a> As citizens of heaven, we are called to represent Christ on earth, living out His teachings and sharing His love with others. <a href="/topical/f/focus_on_the_eternal.htm">Focus on the Eternal</a> In a world that often prioritizes the temporary, we are reminded to set our minds on things above and invest in what is eternal.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_philippians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Philippians 3</a> <a href="/q/does_phil_3_20_conflict_with_rom_13_1-7.htm">Does Paul’s emphasis on “citizenship in heaven” in Philippians 3:20 undermine the Bible’s instructions (like in Romans 13:1–7) to respect and submit to earthly governments?</a> <a href="/q/is_our_true_citizenship_heavenly.htm">Is our true citizenship in heaven or on earth?</a> <a href="/q/does_philippians_3_21_conflict_with_biology.htm">Does the promise that Jesus will transform “our lowly bodies” in Philippians 3:21 conflict with established biological and medical understanding of human mortality? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_heavenly_bodies_like.htm">What will physical bodies in heaven be like?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/philippians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Our conversation.--The original may signify either "our city" or "our citizenship" is in heaven. But both the grammatical form and the ordinary usage of the word (not elsewhere found in the New Testament) point to the former sense; which is also far better accordant with the general wording of the passage. For the word "is" is the emphatic word, which signifies "actually exists"; and the reference to the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ is obviously suggested by the thought that with it will also come the manifestation of the "Jerusalem which is above . . . the mother of us all" (<a href="/galatians/4-26.htm" title="But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.">Galatians 4:26</a>); as in <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm" title="And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.">Revelation 21:2</a>, "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven." The force of the passage would, however, in either case be much the same. "Their mind is on earth; our country is in heaven," and to it our affections cling, even during our earthly pilgrimage. It is impossible not to remember the famous words of Plato of his Divine Republic, "In heaven, perhaps, the embodiment of it is stored up for any one who wills to see it, and seeing it, to claim his place therein" (Rep. ix., p. 592B). But the infinite difference between the shadowy republic of the philosopher, to which each has to rise, if he can, by his own spiritual power, and the well-centred "kingdom of God," is suggested by the very words that follow here. The kingdom is real, because there is a real King, who has given us a place there, who will one day be manifested to take us home. It should be noted that the city is spoken of as ours already. As all the citizens of Philippi, the Roman colony, were citizens of the far distant imperial city, so the Philippian Christians even now were citizens of the better country in heaven. (See <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm" title="Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;">Ephesians 2:19</a>.)We look for.--Properly, we eagerly wait for. The word is a peculiar and striking expression of longing, found also in <a href="/romans/8-19.htm" title="For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.">Romans 8:19</a>; <a href="/romans/8-28.htm" title="And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.">Romans 8:28</a>; <a href="/romans/8-25.htm" title="But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.">Romans 8:25</a>, "The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (where see Note). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/philippians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - For our conversation is in heaven. The word "our" is emphatic; the apostle refers back to ver. 17: "Follow us, not those enemies of the cross; our conversation is in heaven; they mind earthly things." The A.V. has this same word "conversation" in <a href="/philippians/1-27.htm">Philippians 1:27</a>, where the Greek (πολιτεύεσθε) is the verb corresponding with the noun (πολιτεῦΜα) which occurs here. The verb is used in the sense of a certain mode of life or conversation, as in <a href="/acts/23-1.htm">Acts 23:1</a>, but it does not appear that the noun ever bears that meaning. The rendering" citizenship" also seems deficient in authority. In classical Greek the word has three meanings: (1) a form of government; (2) political acts, politics; (3) a commonwealth. . . . <a href="/commentaries/philippians/3-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. our Ἡμῶν (Hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. citizenship πολίτευμα (politeuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4175.htm">Strong's 4175: </a> A state, commonwealth. From politeuomai; a community, i.e. citizenship. is ὑπάρχει (hyparchei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5225.htm">Strong's 5225: </a> To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. heaven, οὐρανοῖς (ouranois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. we eagerly await ἀπεκδεχόμεθα (apekdechometha) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_553.htm">Strong's 553: </a> To expect eagerly, wait for eagerly, look for. From apo and ekdechomai; to expect fully. a Savior Σωτῆρα (Sōtēra) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4990.htm">Strong's 4990: </a> A savior, deliverer, preserver. From sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ. from ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [there], οὗ (hou) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. [the] Lord Κύριον (Kyrion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. Jesus Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ, Χριστόν (Christon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">NT Letters: Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven (Philipp. Phil. Php.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/philippians/3-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Philippians 3:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Philippians 3:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/philippians/3-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Philippians 3:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Philippians 3:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>