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"Rather I prefer commentator Gordon Zerbe’s paraphrase of Philippians 1:28 which reads, “For although your opponents see your loyalty to the gospel as worthy of and inevitably leading to your demise as a [people], your loyalty in the face of opposition is really a sign of your eventual deliverance”(Believer's Church Commentary, Philippians).  I believe along with Zerbe, that a faithful reading of this verse is one that reminds the believers that though there are times they must endure suffering and destruction, that in the end, salvation is theirs.

"Destruction and salvation often go hand in hand for the people of God.  Destruction and salvation create truly the paradox of our faith.  The pinnacle moment of the gospel story is one of both destruction and salvation- Christ is destroyed, put to death before he is saved and resurrected.  His words to all of us that would follow him are to take up our cross, that symbol of destruction, and then follow him to salvation.  We cannot gloss over this reality that often destruction leads to salvation, death yields resurrection, and surrender yields freedom."