“An
attitude like this” v6
Philippians 2
1If you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my
joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit
and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even
death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him
the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much 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 according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without
complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children
of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine
like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life-in order that I
may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. 17But
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and
service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you
too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to
send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about
you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus
Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with
his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary
to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier,
who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he
longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed
he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only 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 be glad and I may have less
anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour men like him,
30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for
the help you could not give me.
Introduction
Having told the Philippian Christians what he expects of them at the
end of Chapter 1, Paul now goes on to the central theme of his letter – the need for humility and
unity.
He then goes on to describe Christ from a unique standpoint – His
motive, and also describes Timothy and Epaphroditus: these he gives as examples
to be studied and followed so that those qualities of humility and unity are
worked out.
Outline
This chapter is marked out by the presence of what some have thought to
be an ancient Christian
hymn in verses 6-11.
Certainly, if you are using the NIV you will notice that this passage is
printed as verse. In it Paul describes
the work of Christ from a unique perspective – His “mind” as the earlier
versions put it. (Q1)[1]
The whole chapter is an appeal for unity and humility on the part of
the Philippians, and it is taught with reference to Christ Himself in the passage just referred to,
and with reference to Timothy and Epaphroditus. These are given (possibly with the
addition of Paul himself) as examples to be followed. (Q2)
So we have these sections:
o 1-4
An appeal for unity and humility
o 5-11
The example of CHRIST
o 12-18
The appeal amplified
o 19-24
The example of TIMOTHY
o 25-30
The example of EPAHRODITUS
Paul begins with a really determined appeal to his readers:
1 If you have
any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than
yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.
If …if … if … if … then … vv 1 and 2
These conditional clauses set out the general reason that Paul gives
for following the path of unity and humility.
Such unity and humility are direct outcomes of the fellowship that they share together – all Christians,
Philippians and Paul alike.
The Bible constantly makes this connection between the theology and the practice.
In v2 Paul makes a PERSONAL APPEAL “make my joy complete”.
Paul wants the believers at Philippi to “be united in spirit and purpose” v2 to be unselfish but rather on the look
out for opportunities to serve others. (v3,4).
Further down the passage (v15) he also requires of them that they be like stars in the darkness by witness. In short his appeal can be summarised as: sharing and shining. (Q3)
5Your attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even
death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him
the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Here it is set out in the paragraph as prose – but its form is arguably that of poetry. Some have argued at length that Paul is either writing or quoting from an ancient Christian hymn. Certainly the statements have a liturgical ring about them – if not a poem then perhaps part of a credal statement.
Look at it as it is printed in the NIV for example:
G
Who, being
in very nature God,
did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself
nothing,
taking the very
nature of a servant,
being made in human
likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled himself
and became obedient
to death – even death on a cross!
F
Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him a name that is above every name,
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.
There is something especially stylised about it and some comment is
called for on this remarkable statement.
Who knows it may be an ancient hymn – either way it is memorable for
both its form and its content.
o It is clearly in two sections – the steps
down 6-8 and the step up 9-11.
o The emphasis is upon the motive of our
Lord. Who set aside the glorious deity in order to die for our sins.
G
Although God –
G Made
himself nothing
G Took
the form of a servant
G Humbled
himself
G Even
to death .. death on a cross
F
F As a result He is
given a name above every name
F That
at the name of JESUS every knee shall bow
F Every
tongue confess
F JESUS
IS LORD to the glory of God the Father.
The INCARNATION is the focus here and before the incarnation. The mind
that was in Christ who being God – emptied himself.
Your attitude, says Paul, should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus
It is an intentionally memorable picture of Christ – and its focus is
His motive. There also emerge these
aspects of His relationship to others:
o His relationship to the Father
o And His work for the gospel
12Therefore, my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much 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 according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without
complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children
of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
16as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of
Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. 17But even if I am being
poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your
faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and
rejoice with me.
Paul sets out a principle in this chapter as he did in the first. There it was v6 the principle of God completing His work. Here it is the principle set out in the memorable verses 12b + 13
work out your salvation with
fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according
to his good purpose.
He explains (coming full circle) that it is quite simply the OUTWORKING
of God who is already at work in the believer. “to will and to do”. (Q4)
The Philippian obedience will be worked out in three ways:
o vv 2-4 in
their relationships with each other.
o vv12 13 in
their own personal experience.
o vv 14-16 towards
the unbeliever. (Q6)
Paul himself amplifies this personal appeal by reminding them that if
they live this way they will “fulfil his joy”
and in v 16 that he will be able to boast that he did not “labour in
vain”. Paul will be able to claim this
as part of his final reward. (Q5)
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus
to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news
about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus
Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with
his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Timothy is described as:
Unique “I have no one else” 20
Caring “takes a genuine interest in your welfare” 20
Proved “has proved himself because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” 22
As with the example of Christ so with that of Timothy – the relationship is stressed – in this case with Paul – and the motive “a genuine interest” and the proof of his worth “has proved himself” [2]
25But I think it is necessary
to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier,
who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he
longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed
he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only 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 be glad and I may have less
anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour men like him,
30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up
for the help you could not give me.
As with Timothy – so with Epahproditus we see:
The relationships “my brother…” “your messenger…” 25
The motive “longs for all of you…” 26
The proof of his worth “risking his life…” 30
Epaphroditus demonstrates a relationship with Paul as “brother, fellow-worker and fellow-soldier” and with the Philippians as “messenger”
He had been ill and was very concerned about the Philippians hearing about this (26) – like Timothy he shows a genuine care for them as well as for Paul.
Paul commends him to the church that sent him as:-
Worthy of honour “honour men like him” 29
Caring “he longs for you all” 26
Proved “he almost died for the work of Christ” 30
Paul is telling the Philippians that the pattern for their manner of
life is in Christ – in this context in His “attitude” “mind” “motivation”
But the pattern can be seen in other Christian workers too – like
Timothy who proved himself as a son with a father and in taking real interest;
and like Epaphroditus – who has a ministry to fulfil in respect of Paul and of
the Philippian church – he takes care of Paul’s needs but is also very
sensitive to the worries of the Philippians.
He had suffered and was very ill but God healed him.
So, IF the Christian life works
– and it does – God working in us – then we need to make the effort to think
like Jesus – to be willing to stand down, to be humble, to be really caring and
sharing.
We need to honour workers like Paul and Timothy and Epaphroditus just
because they too have this mind – and set their own needs aside for the needs
of others – and of the unbelievers too. (Q7)
Paul sets out the Christian chain of influence:
God working in us so that we have the mind of Christ and we set aside
our own ambitions and become ambitious for Him and sensitive to the needs
around us.
Then we shall be emulating His example – and also taking our place
beside the likes of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus – sinners for whom Christ
died – but saints working tirelessly for the glory of God and the benefit of
the Body of Christ. Until we in turn
become examples of God at work in us.
God needs those who demonstrate true humility and genuine feeling for
others. His people are marked out as
being like Jesus who set aside the riches of glory to serve His Church. But it isn’t something that happens
automatically – it needs a definite choice and style of life – a new motive:-
“Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” 5
“Work out your
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and
to act according to His good purpose.” 13
Remember the
example set by Timothy and Epaphroditus and Paul himself.
©
David A. Green BD Spring 2000