Bible Study Philippians 2: 1-18

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 2: 1-18

Text: 

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a]affection and compassion, 2 fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, 3 doing nothing [b]from [c]selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this way of thinking [d]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing [e]to be grasped, 7 but [f]emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [g]on a cross. 9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is [h]Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as [i]lights in the world, 16 holding [j]fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,”

In their union with the Lord Jesus Christ, they find encouragement to pursue unity with each other. To follow Christ’s example, they must first be in Christ.The “consolation of love,” is the comfort that comes from the fact that Christ loves them individually. The “fellowship of the Spirit” is produced by the Holy Spirit operating in their lives.

Verse 2: “fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose,”

Paul’s emphasis is on unity. The verse does not require unanimity in all areas but only in the essentials of the Gospel message. Unity among believers made Paul joyful.

Verse 3: “doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves,” 

Paul knew that unity would require people to remove any selfishness from their lives. When humility is substituted for selfish thinking, there is a clear pathway to unity. Regrettably, the opposite is also true. Selfish thinking ends unity. Paul was setting forth a clear message for church operations.

Verse 4: “not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Unity will be present when people put the needs and concerns of others before their own needs. The verse does not require you to abandon your needs, but rather to place them in subjection to the needs of others. Again, this is a recipe for unity.

Verse 5: “Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

Paul now explains his teaching by stating that the thinking expressed in this chapter models the thinking of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our role model. The One that died for us on the cross to save us from our sins always put others before Himself. He is our Guide and we should model His behavior in every way possible.

Verse 6: “who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

The word translated “form” refers to the underlying reality of His Divinity and not to His physical appearance only. Jesus’ being in “the form of God” means that He is divine. There is a dangerous teaching found in some Charismatic/ New Apostolic Reformation churches. The false teaching is that Jesus was a man like us and the miracles He did were the result of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus was a man like us anointed by the Holy Spirit, we should be able to do the same miracles He did. The Lord Jesus Christ was all God and all man. He took on humanity without divesting Himself of His Divinity. His taking on flesh was an addition, not a subtraction. The other Charismatic/ New Apostolic Reformation false teaching is that what God does for one, He does for all. Wrong! The Scriptures have made clear that God is Sovereign and man cannot control Him. Stephen was stoned to death and Peter freed from prison by an angel. God saved one but not the other. Why? Because He is Sovereign. 

Verse 7: “but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men.”

The word translated “emptied” means laid aside His privileges. Christ left the glories of Heaven as a result of a Covenant of Redemption made between the Father who chose His elect, the Son who agreed to redeem the elect, and the Holy Spirit who agreed to take the Gospel message and apply it to the hearts of those to be born again. His taking on flesh was an addition, not a subtraction.

Verse 8: “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Christ’s appearance as a man was not an illusion as some Gnostics taught. He revealed Himself through a complete and genuine human nature united with His divine nature in one Person, who is both human and divine. He added flesh to His Divinity. His humility is seen in His willingness to die for the elect of God. 

Verse 9: “Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,”

The Father’s act is a direct response to Christ’s obedience. The Name He has received is the Name that every knee shall one day bow. Bow now and be saved and if not, wait and bow at the Judgment Day and be damned. However, everyone will bow to the Name.

Verse 10: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

The mentioning of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will bring all to their knees to pay homage. Do not delay your bowing to His Lordship. Today is the day of salvation. Believe today and live, wait until after death and be damned.

Verse 11: “and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The notes for the Legacy Standard Bible reveal that the “LORD” referenced in this verse is the Old Testament, “Yahweh”. Isaiah 45:23-25 reads: “23 I have sworn by Myself,

The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back,

That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24 They will say of Me, ‘Only in Yahweh are righteousness and strength.’ Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame. 25 In Yahweh all the seed of Israel Will be justified and will boast.” Paul is connecting the God of the Old Testament with the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wants the reader to comprehend the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every knee will bow to Him. Jesus is the LORD.

Verse 12: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”

Paul is not leaving salvation by grace through faith. He is not arguing for a works-based righteousness. Rather, Paul is telling the reader that when one is really saved or born again, there will be a difference in how life is lived. We are to work out our salvation which is the daily sanctification process as the Holy Spirit conforms us each day more into the image of Christ. This verse is about sanctification (being set apart more and more for Christ each day), not justification.

Verse 13: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Make sure you understand what Paul is saying. It is God that does the work for you to sanctify you and make you more like Christ. You are responsible to respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction and leading. It is God’s plan to do this for you because it is “for His good pleasure.”

Verse 14: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

Paul warned the Philippians that they must not imitate the ancient Israelites in their complaining in the wilderness. The Philippians may well have been guilty of grumbling against church leaders, as the Israelites did against Moses. 

Verse 15: “so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

The corporate witness of a united church is in view. The church is to be a light to the lost. It is a holy church that will be a witness. A compromising lukewarm church is a worldly church and is powerless and dead. God’s people are to uncompromisingly preach the truth of the Word of God. Then, it will be a light.

Verse 16: “holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.”

To hold fast the word of life is to obey the Word of God. When we are obedient to all that God has shown us, it will give reason for those who have poured into us the Word a reason to boast. May we make those that taught us the Word of God proud of our spiritual growth. Notice, Paul’s reason to boast was about the Philippians’ behavior, not his own.

Verse 17: “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”

Being “poured out” refers to the possibility that Paul would die as a martyr. A “drink offering” accompanied sacrifices and was normally wine. For Paul, suffering can cause joy to increase. It was to be the same for the Philippians.

Verse 18: “And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”

As Paul rejoiced over his ministry, the Philippians were to do the same over theirs, demanding and sacrificial though it could be. And they were also to rejoice, as Paul does over his ministry, though it involves imprisonment and probable death. 

Bible Study Philippians 1: 12-30

 

A Commentary of the Book of Philippians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Philippians 1: 12-30

Text: 

The Progress of the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole [a]praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the [b]brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even [c]from envy and strife, but some also [d]from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition [e]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your [f]prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 [g]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed [h]between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy [i]in the faith, 26 so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

27 Only [j]live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one [k]mind contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 12: “Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”

Since Paul was in prison, the gospel was preached through the palace guard and beyond. God’s Divine Providence placed Paul exactly where God wanted him. From prison, Paul would preach and write letters to the church that would be to our benefit today.

Verse 13: “so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,”

Paul’s imprisonment for preaching Christ had become known not only to the soldiers assigned to the emperor, but also to the imperial household and perhaps to the Roman people beyond. God places His people exactly where He wants them to be most effective in the spread of the gospel. Paul’s chains was his introduction to his Roman captors. 

Verse 14: “and that most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

When Paul says “brothers” he refers to both men and women. The key phrase is “in the Lord.” Paul’s imprisonment served as an encouragement to others to stand faithful “in the Lord.” It increased the courage of others when they saw Paul as an example. What does your life serve as an example of?

Verse 15: “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;”

There are not conflicting messages, since both parties preach Christ, but opposing motives and attitudes. There are many reasons why some will preach a gospel message. Some for money, or for fame, or to look important and for status. The motive of one group is goodwill and love for Christ and those to whom they preach, and Paul’s defense of the gospel explains why they love the apostle. The dominant motive of the other group is “selfish ambition”, the very attitude against which Paul warns the Philippians. They preach Christ so that they themselves can seem important.

Verse 16: “the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;”

The preceding verse speaks of people preaching Christ from “good will,” and this verse connects that goodwill with love. If you genuinely care for someone, you will care enough to give them the gospel. Paul drives the point that he has been appointed to defend the gospel. God makes Divine Appointments. Some are chosen to defend the gospel and others are chosen for different roles in the body of Christ. The main idea is that God chooses, not man.

Verse 17: “the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains.”

Again, Paul is pointing out the conflicting motives. The ones preaching from “selfish ambition” hope to increase Paul’s suffering in prison. Paul’s motives were pure as should ours be when we share. We share the truth of the gospel because we care about the souls of those we speak to.

Verse 18: “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.”

Paul’s joy was not connected to his circumstances or his accusers. He rejoiced when the gospel was proclaimed with power, no matter who received credit. He endured the unjust accusations without developing a root of bitterness at his accusers. Rather, he rejoiced that they preached Christ, even with bad motives.

Verse 19: “for I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

Paul anticipates being released from prison, but he has no guarantee. God will deliver him through His appointed agencies, both human and divine (“your prayers” and “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”). This shows the connection between the Sovereignty and Providence of God and man’s responsibility. The power is with God, but He has selected the means for Him to move. That means it is through prayer. We pray and God moves in accordance with His perfect will and purpose.

Verse 20: “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Paul’s purpose was not “his best life now,” but rather that Christ be glorified through his life and struggles. Paul’s consecration to the Lord’s work and message is neither for him to live nor to die, but to see Christ magnified whatever happens. This was a total consecration which led to his complete sanctification (being set apart) to God’s work.

Verse 21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Christ is Paul’s reason for living. Far from severing Paul’s union with Christ, death will bring Paul into the presence of Christ. That is the final victory for Paul. 

Verse 22: “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose.”

“Flesh” here means physical life not the depravity of the soul. If Paul remains, his purpose is to produce fruit for the gospel. His labor was not to build a church, get bigger offerings, or an important title. Instead, he wanted to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world.

Verse 23: “But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better,:”

Paul desires to be with Christ but also he desires to remain on earth for the sake of the church. This is his personal conflict. However, the outcome was in God’s hands, and Paul trusted in the Sovereignty and Providence of God to direct his way. The timing was God’s not Paul’s. 

Verse 24: “yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

This is an example of Paul’s complete submission to the will of God. Paul submitted his personal will to be with his Lord for the purpose of the building up of the church. 

Verse 25: “And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,”

Paul’s conviction, not a voice in his head or nonsensical whisper giving guidance, that their need would determine that he stay on earth longer. God was not finished with Paul yet and Paul knew this because he stayed on earth building the church. Paul wanted to see their “progress.” The word “progress" speaks of blazing a pathway so an army can advance. Paul was blazing a path with the message of Christ.

Verse 26: “so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.”

The point is, as Paul lived producing fruit for the kingdom, the Philippians' joy and confidence would overflow because of Christ’s working in Paul, not because of anything he himself did by his own ability. Paul was an expression of humility. He did not want the glory for what he did. It was God working through him.

Verse 27: “Only live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel,”

Paul connects the actions of the reader with the gospel of Christ. Our lives must demonstrate the impact the gospel had on us. Converts to Christ have changed their old way of living for a new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wants to hear about their “standing” in unity and “contending” for the faith. While the war is over and Christ has defeated Satan, there are still battles to be fought and won.

Verse 28: “in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

When Christians willingly suffer without being “alarmed,” it is a sign that God’s enemies will be destroyed and eternally lost. The faithful stand for Christ is the sign that God’s enemies will be destroyed.

Verse 29: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

The Greek verb translated “granted” is from the noun for grace. Believers’ suffering is a gift of grace which brings power from the Lord Jesus Christ. Hear this all you prosperity preachers that fleece the flock for money. Your end is perdition and also for those that follow you. Many times God grants us the gift of suffering to bear more fruit for the kingdom.

Verse 30: “having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

The same kind of suffering Paul had experienced. The Philippians saw Paul and Silas imprisoned at Philippi. They had seen his struggle and knew well his suffering. Paul is an example to us today in facing persecution.