By Judy Laredo
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi while he was in a Roman prison. In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul was exhorting them to live in unity and humility and encouraged the church to rejoice…to be joyful…even though they were going through persecution and were greatly suffering.
In Warren Wiersbe's commentary, he states "the key theme of this letter to the Philippian church is the joy of the Lord." And Wiersbe broke down this letter to the Philippians this way:
Chapter 1 as the single-mind
Chapter 2 as the submissive-mind
Chapter 3 as the Spiritual-mind, and
Chapter 4 as the secure-mind
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 (NKJV) - (Unity Through Humility)
“2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, V2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. V3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. V4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
So, beginning in verse-1, we see the word "therefore." So, we need to see what the "therefore" is there for.
PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 (NKJV)
"27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”
The Philippian church was under great persecution, and their friend, Paul, was in prison. From prison, Paul is encouraging the church to stand firm in the faith of the gospel. To be of one mind, and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, strive together, through their suffering, just as Paul was suffering in Rome.
Paul encouraged them to work toward spiritual unity, with all humility and love, by being "others centered". Paul points to unity and humility in his letter to the Philippians.
Warren Wiersbe said in his commentary, "It was important to Paul that the church of Philippi (and all the other churches for that matter) be united. He could see the double threat to the unity of the church. There were false teachers opposing the truth coming in from without the church and a measure of discord between members within the church…He wanted them to work towards unity and love, not division and rivalry." So, here in chapter 2, Paul is asking the Philippians, if there is any consolation in Christ. In other words, has following Jesus helped you in anyway? Any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy. Paul again is asking them, have you received any encouragement, any comfort, any fellowship, any affection or mercy?"
John Walvoord said in his commentary that, "Paul wrote about realities, not questionable things." The word "IF" used in verse-1 speaks of certainties. So, the word "IF" may be translated "since". So we can read verse-1 like this, "Therefore (since) there is consolation in Christ, (since) there is comfort of love, (since) there is fellowship of the Spirit, (since) there is affection and mercy,"
Paul was appealing to the Philippians on the basis of: Encouragement, from being united with Christ; comfort from His love; fellowship with the Holy Spirit; and tenderness and compassion from one another.
The Greek word used here for "CONSOLATION" is PARAKLESIS. It means to encourage, to exhort. Not to be confused with PARAKLETOS, which means to come along side, a comforter, a helper, an advocate.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJV) "16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
Paul is urging the Philippians to be united by encouraging and exhorting one another through the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word used here for "COMFORT" is PARAMYTHION. This word has the same meaning as "comforter" but the difference is that it stresses the process or progress of the act of being comforted. It can also mean to soothe, to console, to encourage.
2 Corinthians 1:3 (NKJV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort."
Paul is urging the Philippians to "be united in love for one another through the Holy Spirit."
The Greek word used here for "FELLOWSHIP" is KOINONIA. It means community, communion, intimate fellowship.
Acts 2:42 (NKJV) "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV) "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul is urging the Philippians to be united in fellowship with one another through the Holy Spirit.
One of the many ministries of the Holy Spirit is to produce within each believer a concern and love for other members of God's family. In verse-1, the Greek word used here for "AFFECTION" means, bowels. This word was used by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, of deep emotions, especially kindness or compassion (tender mercies).
Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV) "12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."
Paul is urging the Philippians to be united in kindness and tender mercies towards one another through the Holy Spirit. And because we belong to Christ, we are greatly comforted. As Diane said last week. Jesus is our joy. Make Christ Supreme in your life. And if we keep our eyes on Jesus, this joy cannot be taken from us.
In verse-2, Paul is urging the Philippians to be united by being like-minded. The Greek word "LIKE-MINDED" used here is PHRONEŌ. It means to be minded in a certain way, agreed together, cherish the same views, to be harmonious, to be united. "Like-minded" (Phroneō) is used here in Philippians 2:2 as well as in, Philippians 2:5 - "Let this mind be in you"; Philippians 3:15 - "Have this mind"; Philippians 3:16 - "Be of the same mind"; and again in Philippians 4:2 - "Be of the same mind."
Romans 15:5 (NKJV) "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,"
In one of his teachings, Dr. David Jeremiah was talking about the church being of one accord, one mind, united in Christ Jesus. He said, we are united because,
"We have core doctrines we are committed to. We believe that the bible is the authoritative word of God. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and was raised to life 3-days later. We believe He is alive and is currently seated at the right hand of God. We believe in the Romans Road to salvation, and He offers salvation to anyone who repents and asks. We believe that Jesus is coming back for His church, for those who put their trust in Him. We believe that we have His Holy Spirit living inside of us. We believe all that. And we are all one, united in Christ Jesus because of what we believe."
Therefore, we must "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27).
In verse-3, Paul warned against SELFISH AMBITION or CONCEIT. Selfish Ambition is self-seeking (putting self forward). Conceit is vainglory (overly positive of oneself, vain, empty, empty glory). Wiersbe warns that this kind of vainglory can turn into rivalry and has the potential to "pit Christian against Christian and ministry against ministry". Obviously, it’s the opposite of being united in humility.
Paul was exhorting the Philippians to serve in lowliness of mind. Lowliness of mind does not mean being a religious doormat. It's having a humble attitude, modest, a deep sense on one's littleness.
In verse-4 Paul is saying we ought to look out not just for ourselves, but we also need to look out for the interest of others. The humble and submissive mind that Paul is speaking about is not just thinking of ourselves but thinking of others. Not just serving our own interest but serving others. It's having the mind that Christ had. Unity through humility. It's like what the acronym joy stands for: J - O - Y, Jesus - Others - Self. (So fitting for the book of Philippians.)
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 (NKJV) - (The Humbled and Exalted Christ)
V5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, V6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, V7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. V8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. V9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, V10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, V11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In verse-5, the mind of Christ means the attitude Christ exhibited. The mind or attitude of Christ was humility.
1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV) 5 "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
We are to have the same mind --attitude-- that Jesus had. And this can only be achieved in us through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Supreme model of humility. David Guzik said “We are never more like Jesus when we’re humble, serving humbly. We’re never more like Satan than when we’re being selfish.”
In verse-6 the Greek word used here for "FORM" is MORPHE. The essential nature or character that never changes (the inward form). The other Greek word for "FORM" used elsewhere in the bible is SCHĒMA. It is the outward form that changes.
Skip Heitzig gave this example of our outward form (SCHĒMA) changing. He said, “we start off as a zygote (fertilized egg), then a fetus, a baby, a toddler, an adolescent, a young adult, an older adult, a very old adult.
Also in verse-6, the Greek word used for "ROBBERY" means to grasp, to cling to, or to use to your advantage. So Jesus did not consider it robbery, because you don't grasp for things you already have. Jesus, who put on humanity was still God.
Verse-7 is known as the "KENOSIS" verse. Jesus emptied Himself. However, Jesus did not empty Himself of His deity. He was very God of very God and very Man of very man. Jesus emptied Himself of His glory. Not of His Deity. He didn't become less God. You’re either God or you’re not. And we know Jesus is God!
In the same teaching, Dr. David Jeremiah spoke about this, trying to convey how much love God has displayed towards us by coming down from heaven to earth.
He said, Jesus emptied Himself of His privileges. In other words, He gave up His benefits or advantage. He gave up His Omniscience, His infinite knowledge.
Jesus emptied Himself of His prerogatives. His exclusive rights and power to command, decide, to rule or judge. He came as a servant, a bondservant. He gave up His Omnipotence.
Jesus emptied himself of His glory. The constant hearing and receiving of praise, honor and glory in heaven. Instead, He heard insults, hate, mockery, abusive and offensive language while He was here on earth. He was ridiculed, spat upon, slapped, beaten and His beard torn from His face. Ultimately, being crucified on a criminal's cross."
"Jesus also emptied Himself of something that most of us don't really think about. He gave up His Omnipresence. The ability to be everywhere at the same time. Jesus, the Son of God, who was everywhere at once, was confined to a virgin's womb. In His 33-1/2 years on earth, He never left Israel.
But He came! Despite all that, Jesus came anyway. Warren Wiersbe put it this way, Jesus came "from heaven to earth, from glory to shame, from Master to servant, from life to death, even death on a cross."
So now, John 17:5 has so much more meaning for me when I read, "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
Verse-8 says that Jesus humbled Himself. He came from the highest heaven above to the lowest point on earth…death on a cross. David Guzik wrote, "when it says, even the death of the cross, it shows that there's no limit to what God will do to demonstrate His love and saving power for us." He emptied Himself, Jesus humbled Himself and He added humanity to His Deity.
In verses 9-11, we read about the exaltation of Jesus Christ. Warren Wiersbe wrote, "Men gave Him names of ridicule and slander, but the Father gave Him a glorious name! Just as in His humiliation He was given the name "Jesus" (Matthew 1:21), so in His exaltation He was given the name "Lord" (Philippians 2:11). He rose from the dead and then returned in victory to heaven, ascending to the Father's throne (Acts 2:32-36)."
And one day, every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Amen!)
Isaiah 45:23 (NLT) "I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me."
Romans 14:11 (NLT) "For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God."
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18 (NKJV) - (Light Bearers)
“V12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; V13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.V14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, V15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, v16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. V17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. V18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”
In verse-12, the words "WORK OUT" in the Greek means to do that from which something results. It carries the meaning of "work to full completion." Like a farmer who works his field to get the greatest harvest possible.
George Mueller said “we must work out what God in His grace has worked in." But don't miss the last part of his quote. We must first allow God to "work in" us before God can work anything out of us. Wiersbe points out that “salvation is the good work God does in us, when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ”. And God continues this work in us through His Spirit.
So, "The work God does for us - salvation. The work God does in us - sanctification. And the work God does through us - service." And this work will continue until the day we see Christ. When God completes His work in us - glorification.
So, just to clarify, this is not about doing "works" or "working for" our salvation, but "working out" salvation, through one's life. Because we are saved, we are to show, by our actions, the reality of our salvation. Our behavior should follow what we believe.
James 2:18 (NKJV) "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Again, it's not about "working for" salvation but "working out" our salvation.
Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Pastor Steve Carr said, "You are working out the salvation you already have. Salvation is an ongoing process." It is a continuing process for the believer.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
We are all “being saved” and God is working in us and through us to bring us to the purpose God wants us to achieve. And what does God want us to achieve? Christlikeness. We are to act "Christ-like." That means we are to know who Jesus is and we are to go out into the world representing Him.
We take action, by sharing the gospel everywhere we go. We are His ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV) "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."
Christlikeness. He wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Romans 8:29 (NKJV) "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
This is God at work in us. He will work out what He has worked in you.
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
We follow Christ's example. And God, through the power of His Holy Spirit will enable us to do that. Less of us, more of Him.
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 (NLT) "7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
In his teaching on Philippians, Pastor Steve Carr said, "We must work out the salvation God has given us, and that He is working in us at the same time."
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death. So you, me, we also need to die. We need to die to self. Our job is to be obedient. God's job is everything else. He gets all the glory.
Verse-14 says to do all things without complaining or disputing. I believe the Old Testament referred to this as murmuring and grumbling. Pastor Steve Carr said that "trusting the Lord is the solution for complaining." And, as Pastor George always says, "we need to have the attitude of gratitude."
In verse-15, we are called to shine as lights in this dark world in which we live. We are to be light bearers.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light"
The ultimate light is the truth. Jesus is the Light (John 8:12). Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). Our light will shine by how we live. By being of one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, serving one another in humility, with the love of Christ Jesus, for one another.
Verse-16 says to “HOLD FAST” the word of life. It means to hold forth, give attention, observe, to apply.
1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV) "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
In verse-17 and 18, Paul is saying be glad and rejoice. If I end up dying, don’t be sad for me. Both words “GLAD” and “REJOICE” used here are in the present tense meaning, to be "continually" glad, be "continually" rejoicing. Remember that Paul stated earlier in Philippians1:23-24 that he was 23 "…torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live" (NLT).
If Paul loses his life, he will be in the Presence of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."
Paul faced danger and the possibility of death everywhere he went. In last week's teaching, Diane said, But if you're living for Christ, death is not your enemy. Death is a reward. And as Paul said in Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Therefore, Paul is saying to them, don't feel sorry for me. I rejoice in being poured out as a drink offering for your faith and you also should be happy. He's saying rejoice with me. If I die, I'm going to be with Jesus.
Paul was used of God to spread the good news of God's love. Jesus, who was in the beginning before the world began, is the definition of God's love for us. Jesus. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, came. He came! He came to save the world. He came to die so that we may live.
Psalm 35:9 (NKJV) "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation."
Habakkuk 3:18 (NKJV) "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
JOY! The book of Philippians is about having the joy of the Lord in the midst of trials and suffering.
May the joy of the LORD, be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen!
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
BibleRef.com
BlueLetterBible.Org Commentary
Covenant Keepers (Steve Carr)
Dr. David Jeremiah (TurningPoint)
Enduring Word (David Guzik)
George Mueller
GotQuestions.org
Pastor Skip Heitzig
Walvoord and Zuck (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
Warren Wiersbe (The Wiersbe Bible Commentary