Philippians · chapter 2 of 4
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Philippians 2 asks believers for unity, humility and service to others, with the supreme example of Christ, who though in the form of God humbled himself to death on a cross and was exalted by God as Lord. Paul calls them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling because God works in them, to shine as lights without grumbling, and presents Timothy and Epaphroditus as models of devotion.
Philippians 2 contains one of the most important passages about Christ in the New Testament. Paul introduces it to correct a practical problem, the lack of unity and humility, and shows that the attitude of Christ is the pattern for every Christian life.
Paul begs the Philippians to complete his joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, in full accord and of one mind. Nothing should be done from rivalry or conceit: in humility each should count others more significant than himself and look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.
Then he presents the example of Christ Jesus. Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name, so that every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, as they have always obeyed, they are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in them, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. They must do all things without grumbling or disputing, that they may be children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked generation, among whom they shine as lights, holding fast the word of life. Even if Paul is poured out as a drink offering on their service of faith, he rejoices with them all and invites them to do the same.
Paul hopes to send Timothy soon; he has no one else like him, who genuinely cares for them when all seek their own interests, and they know his worth, for he served with Paul in the gospel like a son with a father. He is also sending Epaphroditus, brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, their messenger, who was ill, near to death; God had mercy on him. They are to receive him with joy and honor such men, because for the work of Christ he risked his life.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul asks us to do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility to count others more significant and to look also to their interests. It is the heart of life in community.
Believers are to have the same mind as Christ, who though in the form of God emptied himself, took the form of a servant and became obedient to death on a cross. His humility is the model and the reason for ours.
God exalted Christ and gave him the name above every name, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The path of humiliation leads to glory, and history ends in the lordship of Christ.
Believers are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in them to will and to work. Human effort and God's work do not compete: the first is a response to the second.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Be of the same mind, have the same love, be in full accord and of one mind. — Philippians 2:2
Answer: In humility, as more significant than ourselves. — Philippians 2:3
Answer: To the point of death, even death on a cross. — Philippians 2:8
Answer: That Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:11
Answer: God, for his good pleasure. — Philippians 2:13
Answer: As brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, and the Philippians' messenger. — Philippians 2:25
Philippians 2 is a mirror for life in community. When there is rivalry in the church, in the family or on a team, the way is Christ's: to serve, not to cling to our rights. In a small group you can examine a concrete situation and ask what would change if each person counted the other as better than himself.
The text also encourages those who feel unseen. God exalts the humble, and people like Timothy and Epaphroditus, spoken of with affection, show that simple service has value. A class can recognize those who serve quietly and thank them.
Philippians 2 presents Christ as the model of humility and the exalted Lord, and Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of service. In chapter 3, Paul will warn against trusting in the flesh and speak of his desire to know Christ.
It does not say he ceased to be God but that he took the form of a servant and became man, giving up the privileges of his glory in order to obey to the cross. Christians see here an example of self-giving, not a loss of his deity.
It is not fear of punishment but reverence and seriousness before God. Salvation already received must be lived out and developed in practice, since God himself works in the believer. It does not ask us to earn salvation but to live in keeping with it.
It was wine or another liquid poured out on a sacrifice as an offering to God. Paul uses the image to say that he is ready to give his life as a complement to the Philippians' offering of faith, without losing his joy.