Philippians 2

Commentary on Philippians 2

Overview

Philippians is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul from his Roman imprisonment to the church in Philippi. This letter emphasizes joy and unity in Christ, as well as a life of humility, encouraging the believers in Philippi to stand firm in the Gospel. Chapter 2, in particular, contains crucial content that urges believers to adopt a suitable mindset and conduct through the humility and exaltation of Christ.

Structure of the Text

Philippians Chapter 2 can be broadly divided into two parts:

Exhortation to Unity and Humility Among Believers (2:1-18)

Exhortation to unity based on comfort and love in Christ and fellowship with the Spirit (2:1-4)

Command to have the mind of Christ and serve one another (2:5-11)

Exhortation to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for the sake of God's kingdom (2:12-18)

Mention of Fellow Workers (2:19-30)

Plan to send Timothy (2:19-24)

Reason for sending Epaphroditus back and expectation of the Philippians' response (2:25-30)

Key Themes

Christ-Centered Unity: Believers should be united based on the comfort, love, and fellowship of the Spirit they receive in Christ.

The Mind of Christ (Humility): Just as Jesus Christ humbled himself, took the form of a servant, and obeyed even unto death, believers should serve one another with a humble heart.

Completion of Salvation: Believers must work out their salvation with fear and trembling through the power God provides.

Importance of Partnership: Paul seeks to promote the church's unity and the spread of the Gospel through fellow workers like Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Section-by-Section Commentary

2:1-4 Exhortation to Unity and Humility

2:1 The statement, "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation from love, if there is any fellowship with the Spirit, if there is any affection and mercy" (NKJV), explains the background for all of Philippians 2. Those in Christ have already become new creations, and therefore, they must pursue a life worthy of this new identity, namely unity and humility. Various theological traditions present comfort in Christ, love, fellowship with the Spirit, and compassion as the basis for unity, thereby urging the church in Philippi to heal divisions and achieve oneness.

2:2 The words, "be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (NKJV), emphasize that believers must have the same mind, the same love, and the same purpose toward one another. This signifies not mere outward agreement but inner conformity.

2:3 The command, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (NKJV), clearly states that the motivation for all actions must be humility, not strife or vain glory. The attitude of lowering oneself and respecting others is crucial.

2:4 The verse, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (NKJV), emphasizes the need to abandon selfish, self-centered attitudes and live an altruistic life that considers the needs and benefits of others.

2:5-11 Have the Mind of Christ

2:5 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (NKJV) is the core verse of Philippians 2. Believers must possess the same mind that Jesus Christ had, that is, a mind of humility and self-emptying.

2:6 "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped" (NKJV) emphasizes Christ's divinity. Jesus, though by nature equal with God, did not assert this equality for his own benefit.

2:7 "but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (NKJV) describes Christ's incarnation. Jesus emptied himself of his divine prerogatives and came in human form. The "form of a servant" symbolizes service and humility.

2:8 "and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (NKJV) shows Christ's complete humiliation and obedience. He obeyed God's will even unto death, the most wretched and shameful death on the cross.

2:9-11 "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus 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" (NKJV) describes God's reward for Christ's humility—his exaltation and the worship of all creation. This demonstrates the ultimate victory of Christ's divinity and redemptive work.

2:12-18 Work Out Your Salvation

2:12 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (NKJV) urges believers to always obey and work out their own salvation. This emphasizes the responsible response of humanity to God's grace.

2:13 "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (NKJV) harmoniously explains God's sovereign work and human will in the entire process of salvation. God works within us, causing us to will and to work for His good pleasure.

2:14-16 Believers are to do everything without grumbling or disputing, which serves as the basis for shining as lights in the world.

2:17-18 Paul mentions his own sacrificial attitude, expressing his willingness to offer himself for the faith and joy of the Philippian believers.

2:19-30 Mention of Fellow Workers

2:19-24 Paul desires to send Timothy to the church in Philippi to learn of their circumstances and be comforted. Timothy, as Paul's beloved son and fellow worker, is a well-known figure to the Philippian believers.

2:25-30 In sending Epaphroditus back to the church in Philippi, Paul recounts his faithfulness and suffering for the Gospel. This is to help the church in Philippi understand Paul's situation through Epaphroditus and to value him.

Insights from the Original Languages

2:1 "Therefore" (οὖν, oun) indicates a logical connection with the preceding content. "Encouragement" (παραμύθιον, paramythia) has a broad meaning encompassing exhortation, comfort, and counsel. "Love" (ἀγάπη, agape) signifies sacrificial and altruistic love. "Fellowship with the Spirit" (κοινωνία τοῦ πνεῦμα, koinonia tou pneumatos) means unity and sharing enjoyed in the Spirit. "Affection and mercy" (σπλάγχνα, splanchna) refers to the bowels, signifying compassion and mercy arising from the deepest part of one's being.

2:5 "Have this mind" (τοῦτο φρονεῖτε, touto phroneite) means "think this," "set your mind on this," and is a command to actively embrace and practice the humble mind of Christ.

2:6 "Who, though he was in the form of God" (μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων, morphē theou hyparchōn) means "being in the form of God," clearly indicating Christ's divinity. "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped" (ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο, harpagmon hēgēsato) means "did not consider it something to cling to," showing that he did not assert his divine rights.

2:7 "but emptied himself" (ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν, heauton ekenōsen) is known as 'kenosis' and signifies that Christ, while maintaining his divine nature, voluntarily bore all human limitations and suffering, rather than relinquishing his divine attributes. "by taking the form of a servant" (μορφήν δούλου, morphēn doulou) indicates an attitude of service and a lowly status.

2:12 "work out your own salvation" (κατεργάζομαι, katergazesthe) means "accomplish," "bring to completion," and is a command to practice the life of salvation through active effort, not passive waiting.

Theological Perspectives — Comparison Across Traditions

Unity and Humility (2:1-4):

Reformed/Presbyterian: Emphasizes unity in Christ, achieving oneness through fellowship with the Spirit, and respecting one another with a humble heart.

Evangelical: Values love and unity among believers based on Christ's love and compassion, emphasizing self-denial and respect for others.

Methodist/Wesleyan: Stresses oneness among believers through the joy and love derived from union with Christ and the work of the Spirit, emphasizing serving one another with a humble heart.

Lutheran: Views harmony among believers based on grace and love in Christ as important, and emphasizes serving one another with a humble heart.

Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ (2:5-11):

All Traditions: Confess the divinity of Christ, his incarnation, and his self-emptying unto death on the cross, followed by his exaltation, as the core of faith. This is presented as the basis of Christ's redemptive work and the model for believers to emulate.

Reformed: Interprets Christ's 'kenosis' as self-emptying within God's sovereign grace, understanding his exaltation as bringing glory to God.

Evangelical: Emphasizes the completion of salvation through Christ's incarnation and death on the cross, proclaiming that his exaltation opened the way of salvation for us.

Work Out Your Salvation (2:12-18):

Reformed/Presbyterian: Emphasizes God's sovereign grace and human responsible obedience, interpreting "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" as a life of salvation lived out of gratitude and reverence for God's grace.

Evangelical: Stresses pursuing a holy life through the power of the Spirit based on the assurance of salvation, emphasizing a life of obedience in the belief that God works within us.

Methodist/Wesleyan: Considers the process of sanctification important and emphasizes an active life of completing salvation with the help of the Spirit.

Fellow Workers (2:19-30):

All Traditions: The mention of Paul's fellow workers demonstrates the importance of cooperation for the unity of the church and the spread of the Gospel.

Cross-References

Humility of Christ (2:5-8): Philippians 2:5-8 provides one of the clearest descriptions of Christ's humiliation in the entire New Testament and is considered a crucial Christological passage. It connects with passages such as John 1:14 ("And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"), Romans 8:3 ("For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh"), and Hebrews 2:14 ("Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil").

Completion of Salvation (2:12-13): The statement "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" along with Philippians 1:6 ("And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus") illustrates God's sovereign work and humanity's responsible response. This also aids in understanding the process of salvation in conjunction with Ephesians 2:8-10 ("For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them").

Sermon/Application Points

Joy and Unity in Christ: We have already become new creations in Christ. Remembering this fact, we must be united in Christ's love rather than criticizing and quarreling with one another. Our joy comes from our union with Christ, not from worldly circumstances.

Have the Mind of Christ: Jesus, who was equal with God, humbled himself. Likewise, we must respect and serve others with a humble heart, rather than prioritizing our own interests. Embrace the humble mind of Christ at the center of your life.

Work Out Your Salvation by God's Power: While our salvation began by God's grace, we must complete our salvation with fear and trembling in God's power. This means living a holy life in obedience to God's will.

Enjoy the Joy of Partnership: The church is not a place for solitary faith. Like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, we must move forward in joy within the Gospel together with fellow workers who encourage and help one another.