*Philippians 2:1-18
Paul encourages humility by urging believers to consider Christ’s humbling example of service and exaltation.
- Encouragement in Unity:
- Paul encourages believers to find comfort in Christ, love, and shared Spirit.
- He urges them to have the same mindset and maintain unity to bring joy to him.
- Humility and Selflessness:
- He instructs them to act with humility, valuing others above themselves.
- Believers should look out not only for their own interests but also for the interests of others.
- Christ’s Example of Humility:
- Paul calls believers to adopt the mindset of Christ Jesus.
- He describes Christ’s humility: though He was divine, He did not cling to His privileges but emptied Himself, taking on human form and experiencing death on a cross.
- Because of His humility and obedience, God exalted Christ to the highest place and gave Him a name above all names, declaring that every knee should bow to Him.
- Working Out Salvation:
- Paul encourages believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
- He clarifies that it is God who works in them both to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.
- Living as Shining Examples:
- Believers are advised to do everything without grumbling or arguing.
- By doing so, they will become blameless and pure, shining like stars in the world.
- They are to hold firmly to the word of life, providing Paul with a reason to boast on the day of Christ that his work was not in vain.
- Paul’s Joy in Sacrifice:
- Paul reflects on his potential sacrifice (possibly his life) as an offering for the progress and joy in their faith.
- He encourages the Philippians to rejoice and share in his joy.
2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.
2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 2:15 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; 2:16 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.
2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.