What Is the Meaning of Philippians 3:20? “Our Citizenship Is in Heaven”?

People define themselves by many things—nationality, occupation or culture are especially common. These identities shape how we live and where we feel we fit in.

Yet Paul made a striking claim to the Christians in Philippi. He wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).

At first glance, that statement may seem strange. The Christians in Philippi were subjects of the Roman Empire, and Paul himself was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-26). So wasn’t their citizenship in Rome?

What exactly did Paul mean? 

As you read this, you might ask: How can I be a citizen of [fill-in-your-country] and heaven? What does citizenship in heaven really mean?

Philippians 3:20 clarifies not only a Christian’s identity, but also where his or her ultimate allegiance belongs—and how that allegiance should influence every aspect of his or her life.

What citizenship in heaven doesn’t mean

Before addressing the deeper meaning of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20, we must first dispel a possible misunderstanding of the verse.

A superficial reading of this scripture could lead someone to conclude that Paul is referring to Christians going to heaven after they die. 

The idea that people go to heaven or hell after death is commonly taught as fact across most denominations. Yet many professing Christians would be surprised to learn how little biblical evidence there is that human beings go to either heaven or hell upon death.

In fact, many verses directly contradict such a belief. Ecclesiastes 9:5 tells us that “the dead know nothing.” Elsewhere, Jesus likens death to sleep, suggesting that there is no consciousness after death (Matthew 9:24; John 11:11-13).

There is much more to be said about the doctrine of heaven and hell, and what really happens after death. The truth is that those who have died are not conscious in heaven, hell or anywhere in between. Instead, they are asleep, awaiting a resurrection from death back to life.

For more on the truth about life after death, check out our Life, Hope & Truth Presents video “Do We Go to Heaven When We Die?” 

Looking at Philippians 3:20 in its entirety provides essential context for Paul’s true meaning: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (emphasis added). 

Paul speaks in the present tense, noting that Christians “eagerly wait” for Jesus Christ’s return to earth. This event, detailed in Revelation 19:11-16, is the linchpin of all Christians’ hopes—the moment that they spend their entire lives looking forward to.

Philippians 3:20 is not describing an individual’s death or ascension to heaven, but rather Christ’s return from heaven. At that time, true Christians will be transformed into spirit beings (verse 21).

Paul is not discussing life after death. Instead, he is reminding Christians where their true loyalty lies in the present, while we wait for our Savior to return. Our citizenship—our allegiance and loyalty—belongs to Jesus Christ, who is currently in heaven.

What does citizenship in heaven mean?

Citizenship is an immensely interesting concept.

Citizenship denotes a relationship between a person and a governmental structure of some kind. Additionally, it guarantees certain rights. For example, in the United States of America, all citizens are granted “inalienable rights,” such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial.

As citizens of heaven, Christians are also guaranteed certain things. 

But the benefits of citizenship come at a price. Every government establishes laws that it expects citizens to follow. There are penalties for breaking these laws, typically monetary fines, imprisonment or, in extreme cases, death.

Just as citizens of any human government have a responsibility to obey its laws, so those with citizenship in heaven have a responsibility to live by God’s laws. The rules for citizens of heaven are found throughout the Bible, as God gives instructions on how He expects His people to live and behave.

There is, of course, a penalty for breaking those laws: death (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, we serve a merciful and loving God who gave His Son to pay the penalty for our sins (John 3:16-17).

Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we have the opportunity to become, as it were, naturalized citizens of heaven. But how can we begin that process?

How to become a citizen of heaven

In many countries, immigrants seeking naturalization must complete specific procedures, meet residency requirements and demonstrate some basic knowledge of their new nation—though the process varies from country to country. 

If successful, they often participate in a citizenship ceremony in which:

1.      They renounce all loyalty to any foreign governments.

2.      They promise to uphold the laws of their new nation.

3.      They receive some sort of certificate of naturalization.

The pathway to becoming a citizen of heaven is not dissimilar. To become a citizen of heaven, one must: 

1. Renounce loyalty to any other power.

When we become citizens of heaven, we leave our old lives behind entirely. There is no “dual citizenship” when it comes to God’s way of life—we are either “all in” or “all out.”

This also involves renouncing the old, sinful way that we used to live. Each person has sinned (Romans 3:23) and must repent to become a naturalized citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven (Acts 2:38).

This does not mean that Christians must give up their legal citizenship in their country of residence. They remain citizens of their respective nations, just as Paul remained a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-28).

Our primary loyalty and allegiance must be to God, and our citizenship in His Kingdom must take precedence over all other citizenships But our primary loyalty and allegiance must be to God, and our citizenship in His Kingdom must take precedence over all other citizenships. We must be prepared to “obey God rather than men” ( Acts 5:29).

Where there is no conflict, however, we are to comply with the laws of the land in which we live (see also Matthew 22:15-21). 

For more insight on applying this principle, read “Is Christian Disobedience Ever Justified?”

However, there is a danger of citizens of heaven becoming too involved in worldly affairs. Christians should not involve themselves in the politics of the world. No politician—left, right or center—has the proper spiritual answers and solutions to the world’s problems, and all fall short of the standard of leadership that God expects.

For more on this subject, check out our article “Who Would Jesus Vote For?”

As citizens of heaven, our highest allegiance can no longer be to this world. Satan desires to divert our attention from our heavenly citizenship to the turmoil of the social and political controversies of this world. Engagement in the politics of this world only distracts a Christian’s focus from God and His plan.  

In Philippians 3:19, Paul cautions us against becoming preoccupied with earthly concerns, urging us to focus instead on the world to come. As citizens of heaven, we are not to allow our calling to be rooted in the politics of this world. God’s Kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36). 

Citizens of heaven belong to a different Kingdom.

2. We must promise to uphold God’s laws.

Once we have renounced our old allegiance to a sinful way of life, we move forward, devoting our lives to following God’s laws.

This requires a lifelong effort to overcome our carnal human nature and develop godly character in its place. We will not accomplish this perfectly in this life—nevertheless, at baptism, we publicly affirm our absolute commitment to that goal. 

During the baptism ceremony, a minister asks the individual whether he or she has repented of his or her sins. After the person responds, “Yes,” the minister fully immerses him or her in water, symbolizing the burial of the old self and the beginning of a new life.

From that point forward, the baptized believer is expected to strive to obey God’s laws and to continue repenting whenever he or she falls short.

For a more detailed explanation of baptism, read our article “What Is Baptism?”

3. We receive God’s Holy Spirit.

After the baptism ceremony, the minister places his hands on the individual and prays that God will give His Holy Spirit to him or her, according to Jesus Christ’s promise in John 16:5-14.

In a sense, the Holy Spirit serves as our “certificate of naturalization” into the Kingdom of God. Through the indwelling of His Spirit, God provides a guarantee of the inheritance and privileges of that citizenship, including eternal life in His Kingdom (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14).

(Of course, a citizen of heaven can still renounce that citizenship and lose his or her inheritance and privileges. To explore this danger, read “Do Not Quench the Spirit.”) 

God’s Spirit guides us and helps us discern the right way to conduct ourselves as Christians. When His Spirit is inside us, it writes God’s laws on our hearts and gives us strength to obey (Jeremiah 31:33).

Live as citizens of heaven

Knowing all these things should change our life. Once we have become naturalized citizens of heaven, our life and conduct should reflect that status.

Citizens of heaven commit themselves to continually learning and growing in understanding of the laws of their new homeland and the character of their coming King.  

Those who are committed to God’s way of life and are baptized are also expected to set a good example for those He has not yet called. As citizens of heaven, we live as “ambassadors for Christ,” faithfully representing Him while living in a world that is not our true home (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We live as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth,” awaiting the promised Kingdom (Hebrews 11:13). While we wait for our King’s return, our lives should reflect the righteousness and peace that result from living according to the laws of our homeland.

Philippians 3:20 reminds us that we are citizens of a heavenly Kingdom with riches far beyond any earthly power today. We must give our full loyalty to our heavenly citizenship by living according to God’s laws and by modeling the ways of God’s Kingdom to this dying world.

This is the path to inheriting full and everlasting citizenship in God’s Kingdom at the return of our King.

Date Posted: April 13, 2026