One in Christ
During their persecution, Paul urges the Philippians to...
During their persecution, Paul urges the Philippians to be united and live a humble life like Christ.
If any...? These are rhetorical questions that expect...
If any ...? These are rhetorical questions that expect a “yes” answer. Paul is saying that if people have truly experienced Christ, they should live together with love, unity, and care for one another.
1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition: Thinking only...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition: Thinking only about yourself is the opposite of truly caring for others (compare 2:20–21; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:26).
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The Mind of Christ
5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
This early Christian hymn is about: Christ’s divine...
This early Christian hymn is about:
Christ’s divine nature and existence before the world began,
Christ's coming to earth as a human and dying, and
Christ's exaltation and role as Lord over all.
Christ’s divine nature and existence before the world began,
Christ's coming to earth as a human and dying, and
Christ's exaltation and role as Lord over all.
in heaven and on earth and under the...
in heaven and on earth and under the earth: All of creation, including spiritual powers, angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge Jesus Christ's authority as Lord (see Ephesians 1:9–10, 21; Colossians 1:20–25; 1 Peter 3:22).
every tongue confess (compare Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11): This does not mean everyone will be saved. Not everyone will confess Jesus as Lord willingly out of love and devotion.
Jesus Christ is Lord: God's personal name in the Old Testament, Yahweh, was considered too holy to say aloud. So Jewish people would say Adonai (which means “Lord”) instead. When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, Yahweh was represented by the Greek word kurios (“Lord”). This same title is often used for Jesus in the New Testament.
in heaven and on earth and under the earth: All of creation, including spiritual powers, angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge Jesus Christ's authority as Lord (see Ephesians 1:9–10, 21; Colossians 1:20–25; 1 Peter 3:22).
every tongue confess (compare Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11): This does not mean everyone will be saved. Not everyone will confess Jesus as Lord willingly out of love and devotion.
Jesus Christ is Lord: God's personal name in the Old Testament, Yahweh, was considered too holy to say aloud. So Jewish people would say Adonai (which means “Lord”) instead. When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, Yahweh was represented by the Greek word kurios (“Lord”). This same title is often used for Jesus in the New Testament.
Lights in the World
Paul encourages believers to stay strong in their...
Paul encourages believers to stay strong in their faith and live lives of obedience and purity, following Christ's example.
12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation,† in which you shine as lights in the world 16as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
even if I am being poured out like...
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering … I am glad and rejoice: In both Jewish and pagan traditions, people would pour out wine on a sacrifice or at the altar to honor their god. Paul uses this image to say that his whole life is like an offering to God (compare Romans 12:1; 15:16).
Faithful service brings joy because nothing done for God is wasted (see 1 Corinthians 15:58).
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering … I am glad and rejoice: In both Jewish and pagan traditions, people would pour out wine on a sacrifice or at the altar to honor their god. Paul uses this image to say that his whole life is like an offering to God (compare Romans 12:1; 15:16).
Faithful service brings joy because nothing done for God is wasted (see 1 Corinthians 15:58).
17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
Paul praises Timothy, whome he hopes to send...
Paul praises Timothy, whome he hopes to send to the Philippians in the near future. Timothy traveled with Paul on his first trip to Philippi (see Acts 16:1–3, 12; 17:15; 18:5; compare Acts 19:22). Timothy was known for dedicating his life to Jesus Christ and caring for others.
19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing. 20I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. 21For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel. 23So I hope to send him as soon as I see what happens with me. 24And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Paul praises Epaphroditus, a messenger from the church...
Paul praises Epaphroditus, a messenger from the church at Philippi (see also 4:18). Paul is now sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi, perhaps with this letter.
Paul describes Epaphroditus as his fellow soldier. This suggests the challenges, opposition, and dangers faced in Christ's work.
Paul praises Epaphroditus, a messenger from the church at Philippi (see also 4:18). Paul is now sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi, perhaps with this letter.
Paul describes Epaphroditus as his fellow soldier. This suggests the challenges, opposition, and dangers faced in Christ's work.
25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. 26For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.
Epaphroditus deserved their honor because he risked his...
Epaphroditus deserved their honor because he risked his life for Christ on their behalf (for the importance of showing honor, compare Romans 10:12; 13:7; Ephesians 5:33; 6:2; 1 Timothy 5:17; 6:1; 1 Peter 2:17; 3:7).
29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.