PHILIPIANS CHAPTER 2

Be Christ Like

INTRODUCTION

This chapter of Philippians deals with unity within the church.  I find chapter two most appropriate considering today’s headlines.  Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi to be like minded as they are like minded in Jesus.  Paul tells them that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the gospel with the implication being if he were willing to do that then they should be willing to love one another and get along.

Follow along in your Bible as you listen to Philippians chapter two 

Exhortation to Meekness and Unity
Verses 1-4

1  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2  make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

The word “if” is used three times in verse 1.  The use of this word does not mean or imply doubt.  Paul uses this phrase to once again, appeal to the logic of his readers.  The logic used - If this is true than that must also be true.

Jesus provides encouragement, consolation of His love, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in mankind; to teach us many things, among which is love.  For the very love we show towards our brothers and sisters is born out of love for Jesus.

As brothers and sisters in Christ we are of the same mind, the mind of Christ; for we receive the same Spirit, whether slave or freeman, Greek or Jew (1Cor 12:13).  We are united by this Spirit in our love and devotion to Jesus. 

3  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, being of the same mind deny their selfish desires.  Your purpose changes from self-gratification to that of taking delight in honoring our Lord.  We must grow less because He must grow larger in the hearts of mankind (John 3:30).

The Self Humbling of Jesus
Verses 5-11

5  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

John is saying we should have the attitude to strive to be like Jesus as He lived in the flesh. 

(6)Jesus always was God existing before the creation of the universes.  All of creation was created through, and for Him (Colossians 1:15-17 ).  There is no way we can understand God nor can we ever hope to be equal to God; this was the mistake Lucifer made, and the reason he was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12 & cf).

(7) Jesus is the perfect example of how our lives should be lived.   We must divorce ourselves from the carnality of self-importance, and develop the character of a servant, humble in all aspects of our lives.

 

8  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

As I have pointed out in previous lessons, the Trinity is a difficult concept to grasp.  God (Elohim) became flesh.  We see Jesus throughout His life praying and submitting Himself to the Father.  The Spirit of Jesus was one personage of the God head.  The Spirit of God (*Elohim) came upon Mary and Fathered a male child, Jesus. 

It helps me to understand this concept by thinking man was created in the image of God.  I believe this image is Body (Jesus the man), Soul (the Father), and Spirit all three of which form a human, me!  This of course is my own opinion.  We must by faith, accept many things in our Bible.  However at the same time we must never doubt the validity or truth of the word of God.

* Alternate source of the meaning of Elohim.

9  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When God raised Jesus to heaven (the highest place of honor), He bestowed upon Jesus the title of Lord, and the Christ.  The word Lord was translated from the Greek word Kyrios meaning master or owner. 

(10)  Jesus received ownership of all things.  Jesus is the Lord over all things and Lord over the living and the dead, for all things were through Him and for Him.  He is Lord supreme ruler and all will pay Him homage.

(11) Then and now, the world does not confess Jesus as Lord and Christ.  However when the day of the Lord comes all above, on and below the earth will confess His Lordship, this is God’s plan in which He will derive great pleasure. 

Work out Your Salvation
Verses 12-16

12  So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

In verse 12 Paul is not telling the Philippians to do works for their salvation, but rather he is telling them to exercise their faith, abiding in their salvation, as they did when he was with them.  Paul did not want them to falter, during his absence.  The word fear is used here to exemplify the awesomeness of God and His works.  If we were to be exposed to the face of God, we would surely die.  His glory shines brighter than the sun, and our human, frail mind cannot comprehend the magnitude of His glory. 

Visit Bakers evangelical dictionary of theology for a more in depth analysis of the word “Fear”.

(13)  God continues to work in His children, a work which will not be complete until we stand before the Son; and we behold the righteous judgement of our Christian works by Jesus.  

God’s will for our lives is to continue to grow in our understanding, and love for Him. 

God gives us the will through His Holy Spirit, to grow in our Christian walk.  All we need to do to please God, is yield to His will (Ephesians 1:5, 9).

14  Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16  holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Grumbling is a weakness in all mankind.  When faced with a decision which we do not agree with our nature is to complain about it.  We also tend to grumble when others are honored, but not us, Moses faced such grumbling (Exodus 15:24). 

(15)  Not only does grumbling displease God, it also destroys our Christian testimony.  As children of God, we are to reflect the life of Jesus in our lives, standing apart from the wickedness of the world, as an example to others who do not yet believe, and live as we do.

The Apostolic Example
Verses 17-30

17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

What is a drink offering?  In the Old Testament we first see the drink offering used by Jacob when his name was changed to Israel (Genesis 35:14).  We also see the use of the drink offering in (Numbers 28:7).  The drink offering has been often mixed with oil, as was the case with Jacobs offering. A drink offering was either poured over the sacrifice, or on the altar around the sacrifice.  The purpose of the drink offering was to create or enhance a pleasing aroma of the sacrifice to God.

Paul is saying that he might be put to death, and that his desire was that his blood would serve as a drink offering, enhancing the sweet aroma of his ministry to the Lord.

18  You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Live your life in gratitude, not begrudgingly.  Paul’s exhorting to the Philippians can serve today’s Christian as well.

If our sacrifice to God is done begrudgingly, the aroma To God is not sweet.  Our desire should be to please God, by all that we say, and all that we do.  Our offerings of our time and or resources are to be given from the heart cheerfully, without reservation.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19  But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother who was a believer in Jesus (Acts 16:1)

The opening phrase “But I hope” is translated from the Greek word: elpizo el-pid'-zo meaning trust.

Timothy spent considerable time with Paul in Philippi and was well known by the congregate there (Acts 16:1-4, Acts 17:10, Acts 17:14), knowing this Paul wanted to send Timothy not as a spy, but rather a person who could gage the Philippians depth of faith.

20  For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

It is clear here Timothy was not only a close companion to Paul but also a trusted friend as well.

21  For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Timothy was of the same spirit as Paul, in that he shared Paul’s love of the church in Philippi.  Paul knew Timothy’s heart to be pure with no ulterior motives of self-gain.

Here we are taught a lesson in shepherding.  When sheparding or mentoring we must do so with concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the soul we are working with.  Our motives are paramount with Jesus.  If we do good works out of obligation, these good works will not be a pleasing aroma to Jesus, and could be detected as being hollow.

22  But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.

Timothy had accompanied Paul on his trips to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 16:1 -17:14).

Timothy had been to Philippi many times in the past (Acts 19:21-22; and 20: 3-6)

Timothy looked upon Paul in the same way as a child would look upon his father.  It is said that Timothy was a spirit child of Paul.

23  Therefore, I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24  and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

Paul was in prison, and did not know if he was to live or die.  Paul expresses his desire to be with them.  We read in verse 24 how he had left his fate in the hands of the Lord.  Although Paul never did visit Philippi again, he did leave us with a wonderful example of trust.

We sometimes find it difficult to keep our hands out of a problem we have turned over to the Lord.  Trust in the Lord for our needs is critical to the Christian walk.

25  But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26  because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

Epaphroditus was acting in the capacity of an apostle (messenger Romans 16:7 , 2 Corinthians 8:23).  Originating in the Church of Philippi Epaphroditus now with Paul, is being sent back to Philippi.  Paul likens himself and Epaphroditus to soldiers.  A soldier is a defender, he/she faithfully discharges his/her duties.  It is easy to see why Paul used this allegory.

We are all called to be soldiers in the army of righteousness.  As Christians we are constantly under attack by this world and by Satan, who is the prince of this world.  We must faithfully carry out our mission to spread the Gospel.

27   For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

We can safely assume here that Epaphroditus was healed supernaturally by God.  We are not told the nature of the illness; only that he received God’s mercy.  Paul speaks of sorrow upon sorrow.  Had Epaphroditus died Paul’s sorrow would have been multiplied, and so Paul saw the healing of Epaphroditus as God’s mercy to him as well.

28  Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again, you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.

Epaphroditus was more to Paul than just a messenger.  He was a companion and good friend.  A diligent worker who helped Paul.  Sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi was a sacrifice Paul was willing to make because of his love for the church of Philippi.

As Christians, we must be willing to sacrifice when needed, to further the kingdom of God.

29  Receive him, then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;  30  because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Epaphroditus continued to work for Paul even during this time of great danger to his life for doing so.  Paul told the church to honor Epaphroditus’s sacrificial work for Jesus, and to welcome him as a brother in Christ.

Alford writes the following about verse 30:  “Not that Paul would imply, they lacked the will: what they "lacked" was the "opportunity" by which to send their accustomed bounty (Philippians 4:10). "That which ye would have done if you could (but which you could not through absence), he did for you; therefore receive him with all joy" [7]

CREDITS AND CITATIONS

[1] – All verses are copied from the New American Standard Bible

[2]- Greek translation are derived from Crosswire.org/study bible and Strong’s Ehaustive concordance

[4] – Wikipedia.org

[5] – commentary The Scofield bible and it’s commentaries.

[6] – Commentary Christian beliefs and behavior By:  Ian Mackervoy

[7] – Commentary Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown

[8]- Commentary by Adam Clarke

For other commentaries visit the online Preceptaustin

OTHER SOURCES

Back to last slide

PHILLIPIANS CHAPTER ONE

1 PHILLIPIANS
CHAPTER 1

Discourse within the Church

Listen to
NIV version of

Chapter One Contents

Verses 1-9         Greetings and thanksgiving

Verses 10 -17    Arguments within the church

Verses 18- 25    The gospel and human wisdom

Verses 26 – 30  Christian conduct

(11) Links like this refer the reader back to the corresponding verse.

Verses 1-9
Greetings and thanksgiving

1  Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Timotheus (AKA Timothy) may have acted in the capacity of a scribe.

There was no need for Paul to identify himself as an apostle.  His apostolic authority was well known by the church.

Paul begins this letter in the customary way.  Paul is not acknowledging Timothy as coauthor, just that he is with him.  The earliest manuscripts use Christ Jesus and not Jesus Christ.  Perhaps to identify Jesus as the deliver.  Paul reverses the order in verse two.  Often time’s today people will say Jesus Christ which makes it sound like Christ is Jesus’s last name and not His title.  This is like saying Bill mister instead of Mister Bill.

The tone of this letter is affectionate.

(1) Paul uses the titles of Overseers and deacons.  Overseers were the same as Bishop today (see also Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1; & Titus1:2).  Bishops are synonymous with “presbyters” or church governing board member, or elder.

The Bishops, or elders, handled the internal workings of the church (pastoral duties).  The deacons on the other hand, handled those ministerial duties outside the church, such as feeding the widows and orphans.

In today's Roman Catholic Church we see Bishops and deacons who fall into the church hierarchy [3].

(2) Paul concludes the salutation with the words grace and peace.  Here we see the union of both Jew (peace be with you), and Greek salutation of grace or chairein meaning joy.  Paul’s intention was to make this letter all (see use in Vs 1 ) inclusive.

3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4  always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul uses the word “my” to show his personal faith in God, and his thanks to God for bringing to his mind the needs of the faithful in Philippi.

Paul was faithful in his intercessory prayers, and wanted them to know it was his joy to pray for them.  Even though Paul could not be with them in person, he was with them in spirit through his prayers.

We too can feel the joy Paul felt when the Lord brings the needs of others to our minds.  Praying for other should be seen as a privilege for us and the source of joy and never burdensome. 

Notice Paul used the word “participation”.  He was telling them of his joy in seeing, from the beginning, the faithful at Philippi as doers of the word fellowshipping with each other in the Father Son and Holy Spirit.  (Philippians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 1:9 ;(1 John 1:3 "fellowship" ) ) .

6  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul was confident because he saw the change, and incremental growth in himself after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.  The very work Paul saw in himself, he could now see in others.

You can rest assured God will finish the work He has started in us.   The work begun in us is hampered only by our reluctance to seek Gods will for our lives.  As the song lyric goes “trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey”.  Only through our obedience to God, is His work perfected in us.  Jesus will come again to gather His church, and on that day the work begun in us will be completed. 

7  For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

In the king James translation you will see the word meet in place of the word right.  The word meet was translated from the Greek: dikaios dik'-ah-yos; meaning equitable. Paul, being imprisoned because he preached the Gospel, expresses his unfaltering love towards the believers in Philippi.  Paul felt a kindred spirit with them because he shared the gospel with them and now they too held the gospel in their hearts. 

Paul’s love for the Lord and His word never diminished even though his body was imprisoned his spirit soared with those he had brought the gospel to.

8  For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul was telling them that he loved them with all the compassion of Christ Jesus.

Paul shares a similar comment in Romans 1:9&10: “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, (10) always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

Adams Clark writes:  “For God is my record - I call God to witness that I have the strongest affection for you, and that I love you with that same kind of tender concern with which Christ loved the world when he gave himself for it; for I am even ready to be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, Philippians 2:17.”

 Verses 10-17
Arguments within the Church

9  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Even though Paul acknowledges they have love, he also told them there was room for improvement.

Knowledge spoken of here refers to their knowledge of church doctrine and the truths of Jesus’s teachings.  Here again we see Paul telling them there was room for improvement.

In our efforts to be like Jesus we too will see where we have room to improve our posture. 

(10) The phrase “you may approve” stems from their practice of testing coins.  They were to test what they were taught, and thereby would know what you have been taught to be true.  So they could go forward being sincere.  The Greek word for sincere is eilikrines i-lik-ree-nace' from the root word heile (the sun's ray) and 2919; judged by sunlight, i.e. tested as genuine (figuratively):--pure.

The word blameless was translated from the Greek:  aproskopos ap-ros'-kop-os meaning faultless.

Paul was telling them to test the teachings so they would have confidence, not fearing accusations of false teachings.

(11) The fruit of righteousness comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit; giving us the ability to honor and praise God, through our words and deeds.

12  Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13  so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Paul, referring to his confinement, which on the surface seems a bad thing, but it was serving God’s purpose.

(13) “‘All of the emperor’s own special guard’. The Roman emperor’s own special guard consisted of nine thousand men. A member of this guard would be with Paul. The guard changed duties every four hours. So, more and more of the soldiers would hear about Paul and why he was in prison.  ‘And all the other people here’. The news would spread, so that many other people would hear about Christ.” [5]

Because of Paul’s witness, the news of his strength and faith spread, honoring God.

 

15  Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17  the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

It would appear that there was jealously among the brethren.  Perhaps these preachers were preaching even before Paul came on the scene.  These same people may have been envious of Paul and his stature in the Church.  Paul acknowledged that he realized the motives of some were good.

Our motivation for serving God must stem from His love within us, and not from self-serving desires.

Jealously is an ugly emotion robbing us of our wellbeing, and our closeness to Jesus. 
 

 Verses 18-25
the gospel and human wisdom

18  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

The word pretense used here was translated from the Greek:  “prophasis prof'-as-is from a compound of 4253 and 5316; an outward showing, i.e. pretext:--cloke, color, pretense, show.” [2]

Knowing that pretense means outward showing. Paul is saying, even though imprisoned, he drew great joy when hearing how the church in Philippi was proclaiming Christ Jesus. 

Paul pointed out it made little difference whether they proclaimed Christ by their actions, or their honest and true testimony; the gospel of Christ was testifying through them.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 

I don’t think Paul was asking for prayers for his release from prison, but rather that he be able to finish his mission by the provisions of the Holy Spirit of Jesus.

In verse 20 Paul fully expects, that through prayerful deliverance, he will remain steadfast abiding in Christ, and continue to preach with confidence the gospel of Christ.

In today’s world Christians are constantly torn by those who would cause us to falter and fall.  Like Paul we must daily go before Jesus and ask for deliverance from fear, that we may boldly proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  22  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

Verse 21 is quoted by many who live for Jesus, but what does it really mean?

To live is Christ –   Paul’s actions, his very purpose in life was to give glory and honor to Christ Jesus.  By making this choice Paul was living a fulfilling life in Christ. 

Paul was unsure if he would be put to death or live to continue his mission.  Either way Paul would be bringing honor and glory to Jesus, even in the death of his physical body.  For he would have run the race and finished well.

When someone accuses you of believing in fairy tales, reply thusly:  If you are right and I am wrong; I have lost nothing, living a good life by Jesus’s example.  However, if I am write and you are wrong, I have gained everything and you have lost your eternal soul.

23  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24  yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

On one hand Paul desired to continue his mission seeding the gentile world with the gospel.  This would have brought him great joy.  On the other hand Paul knew his reward in heaven was to be with Jesus for all eternity, and to hear Him say well done good and faithful servant.  

In verse 24 Paul shows his love for the church in Philippi by saying he wanted to remain in the flesh for their sake; even though his reward awaits him in heaven.

As Christians we are promised an eternity with Jesus, free from pain, suffering and sorrow, knowing only peace and joy.  Will you hear Jesus tell you “well done good and faithful servant?

25  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26  so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Substituting confidence (translated from the Greek: peitho pi'-tho meaning confidence.   By substituting this word I believe we get a clear understanding of what Paul was feeling and expressing.

Paul, on his own, would not have been confident in believing he would not be put to death soon.  I believe the Holy Spirit told him he was to remain alive a while longer to complete his ministry.

  ALFORD makes the "matter of glorying," the possession of the Gospel, received from Paul, which would abound, be assured and increased, by his presence among them; thus, "in me," implies that Paul is the worker of the material of abounding in Christ Jesus. But "my rejoicing over you" ( Philippians 2:16 ), answers plainly to "your rejoicing in respect to me"

 Verses 26-31
Christian conduct

 

27  Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28  in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

Paul is exhorting the church of Philippi to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of the gospel.

“One spirit, with one mind” - In verse 27, Paul is stressing the importance of abiding in Jesus collectively as a church.

Paul was saying even though, Rome was beginning to turn against the Christians, remain strong in faith and the gospel.  Paul goes on to note a country which turns away from God and His people, brings about its own destruction. 

As a nation, have we turned our backs on God and His gospel?  If so what will our nations fate be?

29  For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30  experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Why does God allow His people to suffer?  I don’t believe God relishes our suffering.  He does however, relish those who would sacrifice for Christ’s sake.  Through trials and tribulations our faith is strengthened.  

All of us at one time or another will, or have already felt, the scorn and isolation of living a Christian life. We do not suffer as others do in this world as the media tells us of torture and beheadings.  We still free to worship as we please.  However we have witnessed Christ Jesus driven out of all public place for the sake of a very few.  I feel that if we do not repent as a nation, and turn back to God we will suffer the same fate as Rome. 

CREDITS AND CITATIONS

[1] – All verses are copied from the New American Standard Bible

[2]- Greek translation are derived from Crosswire.org/study bible and Strong’s Ehaustive concordance

[3] – Wikipedia.org

[4] – commentary The Scofield bible and it’s commentaries.

[5] – Commentary Hilda Bright By:  Hilda Bright

[6] – Commentary Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown

[7]- Commentary by Adam Clarke

For other commentaries visit the online Preceptaustin

Back to last slide