# Overview Philippians Chapter 2 begins with a call for unity and humility among the believers in #Philippi, reflecting the mindset of #ChristJesus. The apostle #Paul urges the #Philippians to be like-minded, having the same love and being united in spirit and purpose. He exhorts them to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility to consider others better than themselves. This chapter is marked by the famous Christ hymn, which describes Jesus' self-emptying and obedience to the point of death on a cross. Paul emphasizes that Jesus, though 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. Because of this, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name 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. Paul continues by encouraging the believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose. He instructs them to do everything without complaining or arguing so that they may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. Paul also speaks highly of his companions, #Timothy and #Epaphroditus, commending them as examples of faithful service and selflessness. Timothy is described as genuinely caring for the welfare of the Philippians, while Epaphroditus is recognized for his dedication, having risked his life for the work of Christ. Through these teachings and examples, Paul reinforces the theme of humility and sacrifice, urging the #Philippians to shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of life. ## Theological Insights Philippians 2 is a profound chapter that delves into the nature of #Christ and the implications of His humility and exaltation for believers. It is often regarded as a key text for understanding the doctrine of #kenosis (the self-emptying of Christ) and its impact on Christian life and community. 1. **Christ's Humility and Exaltation**: Philippians 2:5-11 presents a Christological hymn that highlights both the humility and exaltation of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. This passage is central to understanding the Incarnation. Jesus, though being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. This serves as a model for Christian humility and self-sacrifice. The exaltation of Jesus, where God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name, underscores His lordship and divinity, echoing themes found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 45]] where every knee shall bow to Yahweh. 2. **Unity and Humility Among Believers**: Philippians 2:1-4 calls believers to live in unity and humility, considering others more significant than themselves. This is a direct application of the mindset of Christ, as detailed in the subsequent verses. The emphasis on having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind, is reflective of the unity of the Spirit as seen in [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 4]]. 3. **Working Out Salvation**: In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul exhorts the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose. This passage does not imply that salvation is by works, but rather that it is a process that involves active participation by believers, empowered by God’s grace. This complements teachings found in [[James/James Chapter 2]], which emphasizes that faith without works is dead. 4. **Shining as Lights in the World**: Verses 14-16 encourage believers to do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that they may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. This imagery of shining like stars in the sky recalls the calling of Israel to be a light to the nations, as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49]], and highlights the missional aspect of Christian conduct. 5. **Paul’s Example and Partnership in the Gospel**: The latter part of the chapter (Philippians 2:17-30) provides examples of faithful service through #Paul, #Timothy, and #Epaphroditus. Paul’s willingness to be poured out like a drink offering emphasizes his sacrificial service for the faith of the Philippians, reflecting Christ’s own sacrificial love. Timothy and Epaphroditus are commended for their dedication and service, which serves as real-life applications of the Christ-like humility and service Paul advocates. Philippians 2, therefore, not only provides a deep theological reflection on the person and work of Christ but also offers practical guidance for living a life that reflects the gospel. It calls believers to emulate Christ’s humility, live in unity, and shine as lights in the world, all while relying on God’s power at work within them. ## Thematic Connections ### Christ's Humility and Exaltation #Philippians 2:5-11 is a powerful hymn that encapsulates the themes of #humility and #exaltation. This passage mirrors the servant songs of #Isaiah, particularly [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53]], where the suffering servant willingly endures humiliation for the sake of others. The theme of humility demonstrated by #Christ, who "emptied himself" (Philippians 2:7), connects to the broader biblical narrative of divine condescension seen in the incarnation. Christ’s subsequent exaltation echoes the promises of God lifting the humble, as seen in [[James/James Chapter 4|James 4:10]] and [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 5|1 Peter 5:6]], further affirming the theme of God's salvation through humble submission. ### Unity and Selflessness The exhortation to unity and selflessness in #Philippians 2:1-4 resonates with the teachings of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] on loving one’s neighbor, as found in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 22|Matthew 22:39]]. This call for believers to have "the same love" and to act with "one mind" (Philippians 2:2) is reflective of the prayer of Jesus for unity among his followers in [[John/John Chapter 17|John 17:21]]. The apostle Paul’s urging to "do nothing from selfish ambition" (Philippians 2:3) aligns with the instruction in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 12|Romans 12:10]] to honor others above oneself, demonstrating a consistent biblical ethic of self-giving love. ### The Work of Salvation In #Philippians 2:12-13, Paul encourages believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," emphasizing personal responsibility within the context of God’s sovereign work. This interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring biblical theme, seen in [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 2|Ephesians 2:10]], where believers are created in Christ for good works prepared by God. The assurance that "it is God who works in you" (Philippians 2:13) reflects the promise of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence and empowerment, as articulated in [[Galatians/Galatians Chapter 5|Galatians 5:16-25]]. ### The Light of the World Believers are called to "shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15), a theme that echoes the words of Jesus in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:14-16]], where he describes his followers as the light of the world. This call to live blamelessly and without blemish in a "crooked and twisted generation" (Philippians 2:15) is reminiscent of the exhortations in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 32|Deuteronomy 32:5]] and underscores the consistent biblical motif of God’s people being set apart as a witness to the surrounding world. ### Joy in Sacrificial Service Paul’s willingness to be "poured out as a drink offering" (Philippians 2:17) on the sacrificial service of the Philippians draws a parallel to the sacrificial system in the #OldTestament, such as in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 23]]. This imagery highlights the theme of joy in sacrificial service, as Paul rejoices with the Philippians in their mutual faithfulness, echoing the teachings of [[Romans/Romans Chapter 12|Romans 12:1]] on being a living sacrifice. This joy in service is a recurring theme throughout Paul’s letters, emphasizing the believer's call to emulate Christ’s sacrificial love. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Humility and Exaltation of Christ Philippians 2:5-11 presents a profound example of Jesus’ humility and subsequent exaltation, which aligns with the Old Testament prophecies about the #Messiah and the Servant of the Lord. In [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]], the suffering servant is depicted as humble and obedient to God, ultimately leading to his exaltation. The hymn in Philippians 2 describes Jesus, who, being in the form of God, humbled himself by taking on human form and dying on a cross. This act of humility leads to His exaltation by God, who gives Him the name that is above every name. This reflects the prophetic expectation in Isaiah that the suffering servant would be exalted and honored by God. ### The Name Above Every Name In Philippians 2:9-11, it is declared that at the name of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This fulfillment resonates with the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 45|Isaiah 45:23]], where the Lord declares that to Him every knee will bow and every tongue will swear allegiance. This prophecy, originally referring to Yahweh, is applied to Jesus in Philippians, indicating the recognition of Jesus’ divine status and fulfillment of the prophecy that every knee will bow to the sovereign Lord. ### The Obedience of Christ Philippians 2:8 emphasizes the obedience of #Christ to the point of death, even death on a cross. This act of obedience fulfills the prophetic role of the obedient servant outlined in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 50|Isaiah 50:5-7]], where the servant does not turn away from suffering and is obedient to God’s will. Jesus’ willingness to undergo crucifixion aligns with the prophetic vision of the servant who trusts in God and remains steadfast in His mission, demonstrating the fulfillment of the servant’s role through Jesus’ life and death. ## Verses - **Philippians 2:1** - "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?" - **Philippians 2:2** - "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." - **Philippians 2:3** - "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." - **Philippians 2:4** - "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." - **Philippians 2:5** - "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." - **Philippians 2:6** - "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." - **Philippians 2:7** - "Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form," - **Philippians 2:8** - "he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." - **Philippians 2:9** - "Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names," - **Philippians 2:10** - "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," - **Philippians 2:11** - "and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - **Philippians 2:12** - "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." - **Philippians 2:13** - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." - **Philippians 2:14** - "Do everything without complaining and arguing," - **Philippians 2:15** - "so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." - **Philippians 2:16** - "Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless." - **Philippians 2:17** - "But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy." - **Philippians 2:18** - "Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy." - **Philippians 2:19** - "If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along." - **Philippians 2:20** - "I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare." - **Philippians 2:21** - "All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ." - **Philippians 2:22** - "But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News." - **Philippians 2:23** - "I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here." - **Philippians 2:24** - "And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon." - **Philippians 2:25** - "Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need." - **Philippians 2:26** - "I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill." - **Philippians 2:27** - "And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another." - **Philippians 2:28** - "So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you." - **Philippians 2:29** - "Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve." - **Philippians 2:30** - "For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away." ### Notes - **Christ Jesus' Humility** - Referenced in [[John/John Chapter 1]], [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 2]] - **Jesus Christ is Lord** - Seen in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 10]], [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 19]] - **Timothy** - Mentioned in [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 1]], [[2 Timothy/2 Timothy Chapter 1]] - **Epaphroditus** - Referenced here but not elsewhere in scripture directly by name.