ii. When Epaphroditus brought the support money from the Philippians to Paul in Rome, he brought a sacrifice. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3(NASB) Verse Thoughts. Chapter 2 frames this concept through the humility shown by Jesus Christ. i. Ministered has in it the idea of a priestly service. d. To supply what was lacking in your service toward me: Epaphroditus did this by actually bringing the support that the Philippians gave. In order for believers to be united together in love and joy, peace and harmony, we are to let the mind of Christ dwell in us richly and to display the same beautiful disposition that Jesus displayed, in His earthly life. But the gamblers buried the dead and helped the sick the best they could, and so risked their lives to show the love of Jesus. Loving Father, help me I pray be united together to my brothers and sisters in Christ in love. What Does Philippians 2:3 Mean? Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. In Philippians 2:1–2 Paul writes, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” There was a lack in all the Philippians’ generosity and good intentions until the gift finally made its way to Paul’s need. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Probably, the Philippians sent Epaphroditus not only as a messenger, but also to be a personal attendant to Paul on behalf of the Philippians. “It seems plain from this expression that Epaphroditus’ illness was the consequence not of persecution but of over-exertion.” (Lightfoot). As a result, we ought to express comfort, encouragement, love, and unity to our fellow believers. Philippians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.It is authored by Paul the Apostle about mid-50s to early 60s AD and addressed to the Christians in Philippi. c. Not regarding his life: The willingness to put the work of Christ first and his own personal safety and concern second displayed the noble heart of Epaphroditus. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Let this mind be in you The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". Read full chapter As a result, we ought to express comfort, encouragement, love, and unity to our fellow believers. There is no question that we cannot be saved by our own effort.. nor that we need to add to Christ's finished work on Calvary's cross - for the sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross for our salvation, was all-sufficient in the eyes of God - and it is finished. Philippians 2:5. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. How important it is that we do not seek to do good works in our own strength. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. What Does Philippians 2:13 Mean? Philippians 1 focused on the importance of perspective. subsisting, in opposition to taking or assuming, Philippians 2:7; and therefore doth firmly prove Christ pro-existing in another nature to his so doing, namely, his actual existing of himself in the same essence and glory he had from eternity with the Father, John 1:1,2 17:5 2 … Explanation and Commentary of Philippians 2:13 This is one of the most profound mysteries of the Bible and of life as a follower of God. Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow: God’s mercy to Epaphroditus was also mercy to Paul. Philippians A PLEA FOR UNITY Php 2:1-4 {R.V.}. i. For indeed he was sick almost unto death: The sickness of Epaphroditus was no small thing; it was almost unto death. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. d. Because you had heard that he was sick: Epaphroditus was concerned because the Philippians learned of his sickness and worried about him. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. It is the Holy Spirit who creates in us the desire to please God (note Romans 7:22/Romans 8:7), and it is the Holy Spirit who produces the acts of obedience, the “work” spoken of in Philippians 2:13, (note Galatians 5:22-23). Paul wrote that for the sake of Jesus Christ, Epaphroditus was willing to gamble everything. There is nothing in the text to indicate that this was a miraculous healing, but Paul still saw God’s hand of mercy in Epaphroditus’ recovery. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. To “look upon” here is something more than “to seek” (as in Philippians 2:21). * 1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. We should have the heart that there is something lacking in our service until the job is done. You can check these in your browser security settings. i. Hoelemann refers τὸ αὐτό to the sentiments of the previous verse, but this connection is unwarranted in itself, and by the ordinary use of τὸ αὐτό, as in Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5, 2 Corinthians 13:11, and in the same epistle, Philippians 4:2; nor can it mean, idem atque ego. complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Paul assured them this was not the case; in fact, it was just the opposite – Epaphroditus served above and beyond the call of duty. Philippians 2:4. The return of Epaphroditus would give them peace of mind that their valued brother was in good condition. If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,... Chapter 2 - Plea for Unity and Humility. In 1:19 Paul said, “For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Paul wrote Philippians from jail (see Phil 1:12-14). As a part of this, believers should serve God without griping or complaining. As a result, we ought to express comfort, encouragement, love, and unity to our fellow believers. b. We experience comfort, encouragement, love, and unity as saved believers in Christ. A Christian's life, lived for Christ, may be hard or easy, but all things can give God glory. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. (15) This is the difference between τὰ and τὸ. Answer: In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul writes, “Therefore, 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, for it is God who works in … You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Being; i.e. The word salvation (Gk. We experience comfort, encouragement, love, and unity as saved believers in Christ. Yet God had mercy on him and he recovered. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. c. Your messenger and the one who ministered to my need: This means that Epaphroditus brought a gift of financial support from the Philippians to Paul (Philippians 4:18). What follows in Philippians 2:3-4 are descriptions of how to achieve and practice the unity mentioned here in Philippians 2:2. c. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition: This is the first step to this kind of unity. i. Because for the work of Christ he came close to death: It was for the work of Christ that Epaphroditus came close to death. i. Imitating Christ’s Humility 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete Philippians 2:3 "[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. soteria) occurs only three times in Philippians. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. (16) None but inferior uncial MSS. iii. He greatly longed to see the Philippian Christians. i. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Paul is writing about working out our salvation, doing work to grow in Christlikeness as we live out our days waiting well for the return of Christ. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. There was much in the state of the Philippian church which filled Paul’s heart with thankfulness, and nothing which drew forth his censures, but these verses, with their extraordinary energy of pleading, seem to hint that there was some defect in the unity of heart and mind of members of the community. In the flesh, we are often motivated by selfish ambition or conceit. As the body of Christ, we should be of one mind, one spirit and one heart, but it is only as we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, will we be able to discern what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God and to display it in our lives. We should not be satisfied with good intentions or a half-done job. Salvation is ours by faith alone in Christ alone. Chapter 2 - Plea for Unity and Humility. His willingness to obey God the Father, even being crucified, is … Philippians 2:2 (ESV) a. I sent him the more eagerly: Paul was eager to re-unite the Philippians with their beloved brother Epaphroditus, and reminded the Philippians to give him proper recognition when he returned (hold such men in esteem). Philippians 2:1–5 connects the blessings of Christianity with corresponding results in a Christian's life. He would also have sorrow upon sorrow because Epaphroditus became sick when he came on behalf of the Philippians to minister to Paul’s material and spiritual needs while Paul was in prison in Rome. Philippians 2:21.— μὴ τὰ — τὸ) Perverted usefulness is manifold; true usefulness is simple and one. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. When illness prevented Epaphroditus from doing this, he may have seemed like a failure (perhaps even a malingerer) in the eyes of the Philippians. "If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, … Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. No wonder Paul's joy would be complete if his brothers and sisters at Philippi were united together in love, having the same mind and being in full accord with one another, for Paul knew that only as we remain in the flowing stream of God's perfect will for our lives, will we become willing channels through whom the thoughts of God's will stream through us, to refresh and encourage others. read τὸ in the second position. Give me I pray a humility of heart and transform my mind into the mind of Christ so that I may think the thoughts that You would have me think, so that I may be a channel of Your love to others, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. We experience comfort, encouragement, love, and unity as saved believers in Christ. Philippians 2:4(HCSB) Verse Thoughts Paul knew that one of the keys that contributes to Christian joy and walking in fellowship with the Lord is that brothers in Christ are kind and considerate to one another - having the love of Christ in their hearts and being one in spirit and like-minded in purpose. To deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions that their valued brother was good. Was almost unto death mercy on him and he recovered that their valued brother was in good.! Or complaining but this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site of... Experience on our websites and the sick, especially those who were ill with dangerous and diseases! 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