PHILIPPIANS
CHAPTER 2
Saints should be of one mind and one spirit—Every knee shall bow to Christ—Saints must work out their salvation—Paul faces martyrdom with joy.
1 IF there be therefore any consolation [ THis is not to suggest that being number with those of Christ is in any way a status less than the best. The word "paraklhsiv", is translated here as consolation, yet in other places it is rendered exhortation. So it could be rendered as if he had said: If exhorting you in the name of Christ have any influence with you. ] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, [ All things of God are done in unity. The Godhead in united, and so should we be. While we all may go about doing something in a different manner, we are still striving for the same goal. ] of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife [ Do not do things that oppose each other, or are come about from a separate agenda. ] or vainglory; [ Excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity. ] ; but in lowliness of mind [ Or in humility ] let each esteem other better than themselves. [ How does looking at others as better than ourselves cause us to treat others? Can we look at others with too much esteem? ] .
4 Look not every man on his own things, [ If we apply these words to Pauls words to the Saints at Corinth. 1 Cor. 12:7-10 The gifts given by God to each man are for the welfare of all. ] , but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, [ Let us think the same as Jesus did. Our mindset. What was that mindset to which he refers? it is found in the next verse. ] which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, [ The part of him that was like his Father. Man was created in the image and likeliness of God, Jesus was the son of God so why would one suggest anything otherwise. This is how Jesus viewed himself during his life here. So in essence Paul is suggesting that we too should have the same mindset. ] , thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [ "ἁρπαγμός (harpagmos) " was translated as following meaning, "a violent seizure of property, robbery". However; it might also be translated "to retain" which would suggest Jesus wanted to possess the thing which he possessed before the prescribed action. So it would then read "Jesus thought it not a problem to earnestly seek to obtain his likeness with God." Jesus spoke and acted as a God because he knew that he was indeed a God, he was a member of the Godhead, as such he agreed to complete certain assignments, things that the Father himself could not do. In order to accomplish these things he would need to be a God. the word "arpagmon", which is translate as robbery, which denote taking something that is not yours. However the word might be better translated as "to be used to his own advantage". Rendering the verse as Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; so in essence he made himself nothing. ]
7 But made himself of no reputation, [ "Æeauton ekenwse?" He emptied himself - did not appear in his glory, for he assumed the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. And his being made in the likeness of man, and assuming the form of a servant, was a proof that he had emptied himself-laid aside the effulgence of his glory as a God. His Godhood was not something that he used to his own advantage. He became just like us in that fact. ] , and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [ This is the son side of Jesus, his condescension. ]
8 And being found in fashion as a man, [ "kai schmati eureqeiv wv anqrwpov". This phrase when combined with the previous verse suggests: Being made in the likeness of man, and was found in fashion as a man. ] , he humbled himself, [ He condescended from Godhood to become a man. ] , and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [ This form of death was particularly humiliating for a Jew, thus emphasizing how willing Christ was to submit himself to the task at hand. Being killed by Gentiles, in this case Romans, was a humiliation in and of itself and is a common general curse, cf. Lev. 26:17. Even worse, being lifted up publicly in death is explicitly a curse, cf. Deut. 21:22-23. ]
9 Wherefore God [ God the Father. ] also hath highly exalted him, a [ Jesus Christ. ] and given him a name which is above every name: [ Gave him "a more excellent name".(Heb 1:4) ]
10 That at the name of Jesus [ Philippians 2.6-11 shows that the sequence of the ritual which enthroned God in the eternities was completed with the death of Jesus. The Servant has been exalted and given the Name because he accepted death. He nevertheless reigns in heaven and receives homage whilst enthroned. In other words, the one who bears the Name is resurrected, just as David had claimed in his "last words'', and just as the writer to the Hebrews claimed for Melchizedek. ] every knee should bow, [ Paul is quoting Isa. 45:23, and in doing so equates Jesus with the OT Lord. He then paraphrases Isa. 44:23 in stating all Creation will bow to Christ including everything in heaven (Greek: epouranion), earth (Greek: epigeion), and hell (Greek: katachthonion). ] of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out [ Interesting choice of words. Today we go to the gym to work out - it is not watch others, read about...it involves action on our part. What are the actions that we must dedicate to working out to recieve our own salvation?] your own salvation [ Who is responsible to Get er done? We are and no one else... for those who state endorse solely that we are "saved by grace, not by works" this passage should cause some concern - as were would works apply if we were saved solely by grace? ] with fear and trembling.
14 Do all things without murmurings [ "goggusmwn, kai dialogismwn?" Without grumblings and altercations. Be patient in, and contented with, your work; and see that ye fall not out by the way. ] and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, So soon as I shall see how it will go with me. [ The apostle was now in captivity; his trial appears to have been approaching, and of its issue he was doubtful; though he seems to have had a general persuasion that he should be spared, see Phil. ii. 19, 24. ] .
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.