Philippians2
New International Version
1Therefore 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,
2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming 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 acknowledge 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 in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
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 will show genuine concern for your welfare.
21For everyone looks out for their 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, co-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.
29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Philippians 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations to a kind, humble spirit and behaviour. (1–4). The example of Christ. (5–11). Diligence in the affairs of salvation, and to be examples to the world. (12–18). The apostle's purpose of visiting Philippi. (19–30).
vv1-4
Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind.
vv5-11
The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, Joh 1:1, had not thought it a robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men. His human nature; herein he became like us in all things except sin. Thus low, of his own will, he stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the world was. Christ's two states, of humiliation and exaltation, are noticed. Christ not only took upon him the likeness and fashion, or form of a man, but of one in a low state; not appearing in splendour. His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, the death of a malefactor and a slave; exposed to public hatred and scorn. The exaltation was of Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus, all should pay solemn homage. It is to the glory of God the Father, to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will, that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father, Joh 5:23. Here we see such motives to self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we thus love and obey the Son of God?
vv12-18
We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine. The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them. (Php 2:19-30)
Key Words
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
παράκλησις (paráklēsis): imploration, hortation, solace
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
παραμύθιον (paramýthion): consolation (properly, concretely)
ἀγάπη (agápē): love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
εἴ τις (eí tis): if any
κοινωνία (koinōnía): partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
πνεῦμα (pneûma): a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
Cross References
Philippians 2Paul adapts Yahweh's oath that every knee will bow and tongue confess to describe Jesus Christ's exaltation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels 'form of God' with Christ as the 'image of the invisible God' prior to creation.
Supported by JFB
Confessing Jesus as Lord to God's glory aligns with honoring the Son as the Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Demas exemplifies seeking his own by forsaking Paul, loving this present world.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identical Greek phrase and concept for supplying a lack of service to the Apostle.
Supported by JFB
Verbatim verbal parallel to the 'fellowship of the Spirit' (communion of the Holy Ghost).
Supported by JFB
Christ's own invitation to learn from Him, being 'meek and lowly in heart'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Christ as the ultimate ethical pattern, who 'pleased not himself' but bore our reproaches.
Supported by JFB
True Christian charity contrasted with self-seeking; love 'seeketh not her own.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the idea of ministering to Paul in bonds in the stead of a church.
Supported by JFB
The Baptist's joy made full/fulfilled parallels Paul's plea to 'fulfil ye my joy'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels 'let each esteem other better' with 'in honour preferring one another'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts lowliness with being 'desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The eternal Word existing with God and being God grounds Christ's divine 'form'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The glory Christ had with the Father before the world matches His pre-incarnate divine status.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates the 'form of a servant'—the Son of man came to minister, not be ministered to.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's other explicit citation of the Isaiah 45:23 oath of universal subjection to God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's mutual longing and desire to see his co-laborers, remembering their tears.
Supported by JFB
Elaborates on the instruction to 'hold such in reputation' as worthy of double honor.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Priscilla and Aquila similarly risked their own necks and lives for Paul's ministry.
Supported by JFB
Echoes 'bowels and mercies' as the essential clothing of the elect of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's parallel expression of trust that he will be released to visit soon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines the role and title of 'messengers of the churches' (apostoloi) in ministry.
Supported by JFB