Philippians2

Paul exhorts the Philippian believers to unity, humility, and selfless love, mirroring the example of Christ Jesus. He describes Christ's profound self-abasement from divine form to death on a cross, followed by God's ultimate exaltation of Him. Paul then encourages them to live blamelessly, working out their salvation with diligence, and expresses his intent to send Timothy and Epaphroditus, commending their faithful service.

Exhortation to Unity and Humility

If there is therefore any exhortation in Messiah, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,

make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;

each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

The Example of Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Have this in your mind, which was also in Messiah Yeshua,

who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,

but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,

and that every tongue should confess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Working Out Salvation with Obedience

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputes,

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Messiah, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.

Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.

In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

Paul’s Plans: Timothy and Epaphroditus

But I hope in the Lord Yeshua to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.

For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

For they all seek their own, not the things of Yeshua the Messiah.

But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.

But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.

But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your emissary and servant of my need;

since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.

For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.

I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,

because for the work of Messiah he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Study Notes for Philippians 2

Verse 1

Paul bases his appeal for unity on the shared spiritual realities experienced by believers: comfort (encouragement) in Christ, love, and fellowship (koinonia) of the Spirit. The phrase 'bowels and mercies' refers to deep, heartfelt compassion and tender affections.

Verse 2

Paul's joy will be fulfilled if the Philippians achieve true unity. This unity is defined by shared love and a common purpose ('one accord, of one mind').

Verse 3

Humility (lowliness of mind) is presented as the antidote to division caused by 'strife or vainglory.' Practical humility requires actively esteeming others as superior to oneself, a radical shift in perspective.

Verse 5

This verse serves as the hinge, connecting the ethical demands of vv. 1–4 to the theological foundation of Christ’s self-emptying act (vv. 6–11). The 'mind' required of believers is Christ’s own selfless attitude.

Verse 6

Being in the 'form of God' (morphē theou) emphasizes Christ’s essential divine nature. He 'thought it not robbery' (or, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped or exploited), willingly setting aside the privileges of deity.

Verse 7

Christ 'made himself of no reputation' (ekenōsen, 'emptied himself'). This kenosis is usually understood not as the loss of divinity, but the voluntary surrender of divine status, glory, and independent authority, taking on the form of a servant (slave).

Verse 8

The height of Christ’s humiliation was His obedient submission to death, specifically the death of the cross, which was considered the most shameful and cursed form of execution in the Roman world.

Verse 9

The exaltation (vv. 9–11) is God the Father’s response to Christ’s perfect obedience. God 'highly exalted him' (hyperypsōsen), giving Him a unique status above all creation.

Verse 10

This section anticipates the universal recognition of Christ’s sovereignty, drawing on imagery from Isaiah 45:23. The categories ('things in heaven, earth, and under the earth') signify all beings in creation.

Verse 11

The confession that Jesus Christ is 'Lord' (Kyrios) is a declaration of His divine authority and position as sovereign ruler, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for creation.

Verse 12

'Work out your own salvation' refers not to earning salvation, but to demonstrating and applying the reality of salvation through faithful, obedient living. This process is undertaken 'with fear and trembling,' emphasizing seriousness and dependence on God.

Verse 13

This verse presents the theological balance to verse 12: human effort is dependent on divine enablement. God is actively at work within the believer, providing both the desire ('to will') and the ability ('to do') according to His sovereign plan.

Verse 14

The immediate application of Christ’s example (vv. 5–11) is the cessation of internal division, characterized by 'murmurings and disputings' (complaining and arguing).

Verse 15

Believers are called to moral purity ('blameless and harmless') in contrast to the 'crooked and perverse nation' (likely referring to the Roman/pagan culture). They are to 'shine as lights' (phōstēres, celestial lights or beacons), exhibiting a distinctive moral radiance.

Verse 16

By faithfully proclaiming and embodying the 'word of life,' the Philippians validate Paul’s missionary work, ensuring that his labor has not been 'in vain.'

Verse 17

Paul uses sacrificial language (a libation poured over a sacrifice) to describe his potential martyrdom. He expresses joyful willingness to give his life if it contributes to the success of the Philippians' faith.

Verse 19

Paul often used trusted co-workers like Timothy as his emissaries to check on the spiritual state of churches and offer encouragement.

Verse 20

Timothy is praised as Paul’s most reliable colleague, having a genuinely 'likeminded' attitude (sharing Paul's selfless commitment to the gospel and the churches).

Verse 21

This verse offers a stark contrast to Timothy's character, highlighting the self-centeredness of many who prioritized their own security or interests over the needs of Christ's ministry.

Verse 22

Timothy’s proven character is likened to a faithful son serving his father, emphasizing his long-standing and dedicated service alongside Paul in the gospel ministry.

Verse 25

Epaphroditus is commended highly as Paul's 'brother, companion in labour, and fellowsoldier.' He was the Philippians' messenger, sent to minister to Paul's needs during his imprisonment.

Verse 26

Epaphroditus’s distress was due to the Philippians having heard of his illness, showing his deep concern for their worry rather than his own health.

Verse 27

Epaphroditus’s severe illness was nearly fatal. Paul saw his recovery as an act of mercy from God, sparing both Epaphroditus and Paul himself from 'sorrow upon sorrow' (the loss of a dear companion).

Verse 29

Paul instructs the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with great honor and joy, recognizing the sacrifices he made in service.

Verse 30

Epaphroditus risked his life ('not regarding his life') to serve Paul, fulfilling the 'lack of service' the Philippians could not provide due to Paul’s distant imprisonment. This self-sacrificial service mirrors the attitude of Christ described earlier.

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Philippians2

Exhortation to Unity and Humility

The Example of Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Working Out Salvation with Obedience

Paul’s Plans: Timothy and Epaphroditus

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