Philippians 2

Philippians 2
1-11 Imitating Christ's Humility

• *If there is any encouragement, any consolation, any sharing, any compassion, make my joy complete. As caring human beings, we would think those attributes would be enough, but it takes something else to perfect Paul's joy in the Philippians:
• Unity: Being in full accord and of one mind, which comes from being humble - thinking more of others than we think of ourselves. This seems to answer the question, "Why can't we all just get along?" Because by nature, we look out for ourselves first, finding great difficulty in seeing others' points of view or valuing their sincerity.
• As usual, Christ is the supreme example of such humility, since he gave up heaven with all its power and glory to not only become as one of us but to become a slave to us, subjecting himself to humiliation, torture and death.
• Because of Christ's great demonstration of humility, God has raised him up to be so high that eventually every being in creation will acknowledge his superiority.

*Note on verses 1-3: The words Paul uses in this passage are so rich, it would take an essay to examine them well enough to grasp everything he is saying. Since in-depth examination is not the purpose of this blog, I'm going to have to leave that to do another time, perhaps for my other much-neglected blog, formeditation.wordpress.com.

12-18 Shining as Lights in the World

• Therefore – in light of what I have said before – fearfully (very carefully) work out your own salvation. It's much better to fear God now, to acknowledge the glory of his son now in your lifetime than to be compelled to bow to Jesus when he comes again in all his power and glory.
• Yet it is not under your own power you accomplish this – God is at work in you. He is the one who gives you the desire and the power to please him.
• You want to know how to be a light in this world? Don't murmur or complain, as the rest of the world does. I had never noticed this connection before, but at least in the NRSV, it sounds as if the lack of murmuring and complaining keeps us unblemished. To my mind, adopting that "attitude of gratitude" helps us rise above the petty squabbles, earthly desires, envies and jealousies that characterize the world we live in. (Another theme that could be developed in an Moment's Meditation article!)
• Hold fast to the word. It will give Paul so much pleasure if the Philippians finish what he started in them.
• Even as Paul is imprisoned for the faith, he rejoices because of their faithfulness.

19-30 Timothy and Epaphroditus

• Paul wants to send Timothy to them to see how they're doing. Only Timothy has the same empathy with them that Paul would; he also has the humility he needs, devoted to the cause of Christ and not his own.
• In working together for the gospel, Paul and Timothy have become like father and son.
• It's necessary to send Epaphroditus as well, because he's been ill, and the Philippians need to see that he's okay now, and to be aware of what personal sacrifices he has made as a follower of Christ.