Redefining Citizenship in the Kingdom of God
The concept of citizenship in the Kingdom of God redefines traditional understandings of belonging and allegiance, shifting focus from earthly polities to a divine reality. Historically, citizenship referred to the rights and privileges of an individual within a state, such as the Roman Empire, where it could be acquired by birth, purchase, military service, or favor [1]. Roman citizenship, for instance, granted protections like immunity from being bound or scourged without a formal trial [1]. Similarly, under Mosaic law, certain non-Israelites could be admitted to general privileges of citizenship among the Jews, though some groups like Moabites and Ammonites were excluded [2].
However, the New Testament introduces a new paradigm where believers are considered citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:20, states, "our citizenship is in heaven" [4]. This declaration signifies that the primary allegiance and identity of Christians are not rooted in their earthly nationality but in their heavenly status [4, 6]. This heavenly citizenship implies a distinct "state" or "country" for believers, positioning them as "pilgrims on earth" who should not be preoccupied with "earthly things" [4]. This perspective encourages Christians to view themselves as temporary residents in this world, uncomfortable with its values and longing for their true home [6].
Seeking the Kingdom of God involves adopting God's value system, pursuing His purpose in the world, and submitting to His authority [3]. This pursuit is not merely a verbal profession but an active demonstration of God's power [5]. John Gill, commenting on 1 Corinthians 4:20, explains that the "kingdom of God" is not attained by "word," or mere talk and profession, but "in" or "by power" [5]. This aligns with the understanding that the Kingdom of God is not about "meat and drink" but about "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" [7]. This "living Christianity" encompasses rectitude towards God and peace towards neighbors [7].
The "kingdom of heaven" can also refer to the Gospel church state or the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation [8]. In this context, Christ is seen as the King Messiah, the King of saints and churches, who has a natural kingdom of providence and a kingdom of grace [8]. The administration of this kingdom of grace will eventually close, leading to a time when God will be "all in all," and the distinctions within the Trinity regarding their roles in the kingdom of grace and glory will cease [9].
The redefinition of citizenship in the Kingdom of God therefore involves a fundamental shift in identity and allegiance. It moves from a focus on earthly rights and privileges, as seen in Roman or Mosaic law [1, 2], to a spiritual reality where believers are citizens of heaven [4, 6]. This heavenly citizenship shapes their values, purposes, and submission to divine authority [3]. It is a kingdom characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, rather than by outward observances [7]. This spiritual citizenship also implies a temporary status on earth, with believers looking forward to their ultimate home and the full realization of God's kingdom [4, 6].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Citizenship — The use of this term in Scripture has exclusive reference to the usages of the Roman empire. The privilege of Roman citizenship was originally acquired in various ways, as by purchase, (Acts 22:28) by military services, by favor or by manumission. The right once obtained descended to a man's children. (Acts 22:28) Among the privileges attached to citizenship we may note that a man could not be bound or imprisoned without a formal trial, (Acts 22:29) still less be scourged. (Acts 16:37) Cic. in Verr. v. 63,66. Another privilege attaching to citizenship wa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Citizenship — The rights and privileges of a citizen in distinction from a foreigner (Luke 15:15; 19:14; Acts 21:39). Under the Mosaic law non-Israelites, with the exception of the Moabites and the Ammonites and others mentioned in Deut. 23:1-3, were admitted to the general privileges of citizenship among the Jews (Ex. 12:19; Lev. 24:22; Num. 15:15; 35:15; Deut. 10:18; 14:29; 16:10, 14). The right of citizenship under the Roman government was granted by the emperor to individuals, and sometimes to provinces, as a favour or as a recompense for services rendered to the”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:20: 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?" (Phi 3:19; Heb 11:9-10, Heb 11:13-16). Roman citizenship was then highly prized; how much more should the heavenly citizenship (Act 22:28; compare Luk 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, Rom 8:19) the Lord Jesus as a (that is, in the capacity of a) Sav”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God,.... By "the kingdom of God" is not meant the kingdom of heaven, or the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints; though that is a kingdom prepared by God, which he gives to his children, calls them to by his grace, and will give them an abundant entrance into, when time shall be no more with them; and though that is not attained to "in", or "by word", by mere talk and profession; not everyone that says Lord, Lord, shall enter into it; or that professes the name of Christ, and prophesies in it; but "in" or "by power"; through the power ”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 1:17: 1:17 Christians’ citizenship is in heaven (1:1; see Phil 3:20); they live in this world as “temporary residents” who are uncomfortable with its values and who long for their true home.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God--or, as we should say, Religion; that is, the proper business and blessedness for which Christians are formed into a community of renewed men in thorough subjection to God (compare Co1 4:20). is not meat and drink--"eating and drinking" but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost--a beautiful and comprehensive division of living Christianity. The first--"righteousness"--has respect to God, denoting here "rectitude," in its widest sense (as in Mat 6:33); the second--"peace"--has respect to our neighbors, denoting ”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 18:20: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven,.... The Gospel church state, or the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation, and the methods of God's dealings in it; likened unto a certain king: or "a man", "a king", pointing either to Christ, the king Messiah, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, the King of saints and churches; who, as God, has a natural kingdom of providence, and as man and Mediator, a kingdom of grace; and will have a more visibly glorious one, both in this world and in the other; or rather, the Father of Christ, as appears from the application”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 15:28: The Son also himself be subject - When the administration of the kingdom of grace is finally closed; when there shall be no longer any state of probation, and consequently no longer need of a distinction between the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory; then the Son, as being man and Messiah, shall cease to exercise any distinct dominion and God be all in all: there remaining no longer any distinction in the persons of the glorious Trinity, as acting any distinct or separate parts in either the kingdom of grace, or the kingdom of glory, and so the one i”