- Philippians
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2
About having the mind of Christ
1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship from the Spirit, if any tenderness and acts of compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard one another as being better than yourselves.* Personally I have a hard time with this one. But it may have more to do with social level and prestige within the congregation than with personal qualities and abilities. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own concerns, but also for what concerns others.† Agape love is the opposite of selfishness.
5 In fact, let this mindset be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in God's form, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,‡ Since Jehovah the Son was (and is) equally God, the point appears to be that He did not insist on hanging on to His prerogatives. 7 but divested Himself, taking a slave's form, coming to be in the likeness of men.§ Note that to be a human being is to be a slave. We are born slaves, live slaves and die slaves. We are born slaves to self, sin and death (with Satan behind the scenes); Christ offers us the option of being slaves to God, good and life. You can't stop being a slave, but you can choose your owner. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death* Hebrews 5:8 says that Jehovah the Son “learned obedience by the things that He suffered”. He had never experienced anything like that before. So what happens to us if we have the same mindset?—even death on a cross! 9 Indeed, that is why God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus† Note that it is at the name of Jesus, not Christ or even Jehovah, that every knee will bow. ‘Jesus’ is His human name—recall that in Revelation the slain Lamb (5:6,12; 7:14; 12:11) receives glory and praise along with the Father. You cannot kill God, so the Lamb is Jesus. Recall further that in John 5:22 Jesus affirmed that the Father had “committed all judgment” to Him, which means that it will be Jesus sitting on the “great white throne” (Revelation 20:11), not to mention a certain “winepress” (Revelation 19:15). Although at the moment I see no way of ‘closing the question’ (as we say here in Brazil), I verily suspect that the correct transliteration of ‘Jesus’ into Hebrew will prove to be יֵסוּס and not יֵשׁוּעַ. every knee will bow—of those in heaven,‡ This presumably includes the angels, whether or not they have literal ‘knees’. those on earth§ Those actually alive on the earth when this decree is imposed; I suppose it will be during the millennial Messianic Kingdom. and those under the earth* Since Hades is inside the earth (Matthew 12:40, Ephesians 4:9, 1 Samuel 28:13), this will presumably include the wicked dead, as well as the demons in the Abyss (at least). Just suppose that God wanted to confine evil to this planet; the logical place for a ‘prison’ would be beneath its crust.— 11 and every tongue will acknowledge† The verbs ‘bow’ and ‘acknowledge’ are in the subjunctive mood in the Text, so many versions render ‘should bow’ rather than “will bow”. However, the mood of the verbs is governed by the conjunction ινα, that normally takes the subjunctive; in the context the author evidently does not intend to leave any doubt about the extent of the recognition. that Jesus Christ is Sovereign, to the glory of God the Father.
Act like children of God
12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed (not only in my presence but now much more in my absence), keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 because God Himself is the One at work in you, both to will and to produce,‡ Paul places our responsibility and God's sovereignty side by side; we must consciously cooperate with Him. for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or arguing,§ When we grumble or argue we are rejecting the Holy Spirit's control, and the result is not purity. 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation,* Can there be any doubt that our generation is crooked and depraved? And it is not getting any better. among whom you shine as light bearers in the world,† As we both live out and actively promote biblical values, the “Word of Life”, we will stand out like a bright torch at night. The darker it is, the farther any light can be seen. 16 holding fast the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain nor labor for nothing.‡ At the Accounting, one measure of our success will be the extent to which others bought into our commitment. 17 Yes, even if I am a libation being poured on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
About Timothy
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be encouraged when I know how you are doing. 20 For I have no one else like-minded, who will be genuinely concerned about your welfare§ This statement puzzles me; wouldn't Epaphroditus qualify? Perhaps Paul had in mind a messenger who would return with news, since Epaphroditus would stay there. 21 (for all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus).* Unfortunately, things have not changed much in 2,000 years. 22 But you know the proof of him, that as a son with his father he slaved† That is what the Text says. with me for the Gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 Still, I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.‡ Recall that Paul was writing from prison.
About Epaphroditus
25 However, I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier; also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 Well, he really was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 So I sent him the more eagerly, that upon seeing him you might have joy, and I be less anxious. 29 Receive him in Sovereign with great joy, and hold such men in honor, 30 because for the work of the Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life,§ Right. That is the kind the Church and the world need to see. to complete what was lacking in your service toward me.

- Philippians
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*2:3 Personally I have a hard time with this one. But it may have more to do with social level and prestige within the congregation than with personal qualities and abilities.

†2:4 Agape love is the opposite of selfishness.

‡2:6 Since Jehovah the Son was (and is) equally God, the point appears to be that He did not insist on hanging on to His prerogatives.

§2:7 Note that to be a human being is to be a slave. We are born slaves, live slaves and die slaves. We are born slaves to self, sin and death (with Satan behind the scenes); Christ offers us the option of being slaves to God, good and life. You can't stop being a slave, but you can choose your owner.

*2:8 Hebrews 5:8 says that Jehovah the Son “learned obedience by the things that He suffered”. He had never experienced anything like that before. So what happens to us if we have the same mindset?

†2:10 Note that it is at the name of Jesus, not Christ or even Jehovah, that every knee will bow. ‘Jesus’ is His human name—recall that in Revelation the slain Lamb (5:6,12; 7:14; 12:11) receives glory and praise along with the Father. You cannot kill God, so the Lamb is Jesus. Recall further that in John 5:22 Jesus affirmed that the Father had “committed all judgment” to Him, which means that it will be Jesus sitting on the “great white throne” (Revelation 20:11), not to mention a certain “winepress” (Revelation 19:15). Although at the moment I see no way of ‘closing the question’ (as we say here in Brazil), I verily suspect that the correct transliteration of ‘Jesus’ into Hebrew will prove to be יֵסוּס and not יֵשׁוּעַ.

‡2:10 This presumably includes the angels, whether or not they have literal ‘knees’.

§2:10 Those actually alive on the earth when this decree is imposed; I suppose it will be during the millennial Messianic Kingdom.

*2:10 Since Hades is inside the earth (Matthew 12:40, Ephesians 4:9, 1 Samuel 28:13), this will presumably include the wicked dead, as well as the demons in the Abyss (at least). Just suppose that God wanted to confine evil to this planet; the logical place for a ‘prison’ would be beneath its crust.

†2:11 The verbs ‘bow’ and ‘acknowledge’ are in the subjunctive mood in the Text, so many versions render ‘should bow’ rather than “will bow”. However, the mood of the verbs is governed by the conjunction ινα, that normally takes the subjunctive; in the context the author evidently does not intend to leave any doubt about the extent of the recognition.

‡2:13 Paul places our responsibility and God's sovereignty side by side; we must consciously cooperate with Him.

§2:14 When we grumble or argue we are rejecting the Holy Spirit's control, and the result is not purity.

*2:15 Can there be any doubt that our generation is crooked and depraved? And it is not getting any better.

†2:15 As we both live out and actively promote biblical values, the “Word of Life”, we will stand out like a bright torch at night. The darker it is, the farther any light can be seen.

‡2:16 At the Accounting, one measure of our success will be the extent to which others bought into our commitment.

§2:20 This statement puzzles me; wouldn't Epaphroditus qualify? Perhaps Paul had in mind a messenger who would return with news, since Epaphroditus would stay there.

*2:21 Unfortunately, things have not changed much in 2,000 years.

†2:22 That is what the Text says.

‡2:24 Recall that Paul was writing from prison.

§2:30 Right. That is the kind the Church and the world need to see.

© 2016 Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM, PhD