In Philippians 1.27, Paul turns from considering the progress of the gospel through his own life to considering the progress of the gospel in the life of the church. The cultural background of those who are now in the church includes great pride in being a citizen of Philippi because of it being a Roman colony. In 1.27-30, Paul reminds them to live in the joy of their greater citizenship in the kingdom of God so that they may stand firm together, striving for the gospel without being alarmed by the opposition they are facing. Paul's exhortation for the church to "only live as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ" is still an applicable exhortation for the church in our day.