*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.
Philippians 2:1-18 teaches us to be humble and put others before ourselves, just like Jesus did. Instead of seeking our own way, we should choose kindness, unity, and a heart of service. When we do everything without complaining and with a joyful attitude, we shine like lights in the world. We can apply this by treating others with love, being willing to help without expecting anything in return, and living each day with a thankful and humble heart.
Philippians 2:1-18 (WEB)
2:1 If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14 Do all things without complaining and arguing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, 16 holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 In the same way, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.