Introduction

In the first chapter of Philippians we can see that “Rejoicing being a Principle for the Christian life” is summed up in “For to me live is Christ, and to die is gain”(Phil 1:21).  Christ was the center of Paul’s life, and it has to be the center of every believer’s life. Now in chapter two, we will see that Christ is to be the pattern for the believer’s life.

The Need of a Pattern (2:1-4)

One of the greatest challenges the church faces today is an attack on its source of authority, namely the Word of God.  There is a spiritual apathy and a general coldness and indifference to biblical truth.  In some churches, God’s standards of righteousness are being set aside so the church will not to be cancelled by the culture.  This is causing disunity in many churches.   A prime example is the division that is going on in the United Methodist Church.  A desire to make the church appealing to the culture has and will always lead to discord, disharmony, conflict, and division.

In Phil 1:27-30 Paul has been appealing for unity in the church on the ground that conflict makes unity of purpose and necessity. It is apparent that the Philippian church was faced with the danger of discord and division from the personal conflict between Euodia and Syntyche (Phil 4:2).

 Someone once asked Gandhi, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christian missions in India?” Gandhi replied, “Christians”.  So many times, the mission and ministry of a church is hindered by disunity. It is a danger that every church faces. Paul addressed to some extent disunity in every one of the letters that he wrote to the churches.

In Phil 2:1-4, Paul gives some very concise and practical teaching about unity. In these four verses Paul outlines a formula for spiritual unity. It is made up of three necessary elements on which unity can be built: “right motives” (vv. 1–2a), “right marks” (v. 2b), and “right means” (vv. 3–4). Through them Paul clarifies why believers should be of one mind and one spirit, what is meant by one mind and one spirit, and how they can truly become of one mind and one spirit.

Right Motives (2:1)

In order for the Philippians to conduct themselves worthily of the gospel (Phil 1:27). they must resolve any ongoing conflicts in their church and demonstrate unity in Christ. Verse 1 has four “ifs”. The “ifs” used here could be better translated “since” or “so”.  Paul is telling the Philippians and us that since we are going to face opposition we have to live in a “manner worthy of the Gospel” (Phil 1:27).

Paul shows the church four realities that should motivate living a life in a manner worthy of the Gospel and creates unity in the church…  They are found in these four “if” or “since” statements of verse 1.

The firstof these realities that should motivate unity in the church is “encouragement in Christ”. Paraklēsis (encouragement) has the root meaning of coming alongside someone to give assistance by offering comfort, counsel, or exhortation. Jesus told the disciples that he was going to ask the Father to send them a helper (John 14:16).  In Acts 2 that promise was fulfilled with the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

 Every believer in Christ has the Holy Spirit in them as the helper that is there to encourage and guide them.  Our most important and powerful encouragement in Christ comes directly from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer demands that the believer pursue unity as a grateful response to their union with Christ.

The secondreality that should motivate unity in the church is the “consolation of love”. Paramuthion (consolation) has the literal meaning of speaking closely with someone, and with the added idea of giving comfort and solace. The consoling love is that which Christ grants to unworthy sinners in the grace of salvation. Christ continuously bestows that love on believers (Rom. 5:5), who in turn show love for fellow believers. It portrays Christ coming close and whispering words of gentle cheer and tender counsel into the ears of believers.

Every believer in Christ should find consolation in and demonstrate the love that Christ has for them. Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another and that they would be known as followers of Christ by their love.  John 13:34–35  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” If the church is going to be unified it must demonstrate the love of Christ.

The thirdreality that should motivate unity in the church is the “fellowship of the Spirit”. Koinōnia describes partnership and mutual sharing. This fellowship is to be intimate because every believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Could you imagine the spirit of unity that would be in the church if every member allowed the Holy Spirit to control their actions.  The love of Christ would flow from them and there would be no bitterness, anger, or strife. When we remember that bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the mind of the Holy Spirit is set upon unity and fellowship which is centered around Jesus Christ and His mission…the church will be unified in its mission.

The fourth reality that should motivate unity in the church is that of “affection and compassion”. Affection is from splanchna, which refers literally to the bowels, or viscera, but was commonly used metaphorically of the emotions. Compassion is from oiktirmos, which Paul uses twice of the compassion (“mercies”) of God.

The compassion of Jesus Christ flowing in and through believers helps to keep the unity of the church. It will also keep their minds together—keep them focused upon the needs of a world that must be reached and ministered to in compassion. 

Right Marks (2:2)

The first mark of spiritual unity is being of the same mind.  Paul is telling the church that if there is going to be unity there has to be agreement.  Too many churches have become ineffective because of disagreements.  Being united in Christ, believers work together for the same purposes rather than seeking areas of disagreement and division.

Thesecond mark of spiritual unity is having the same love. To have thesame love is to be devoted to one another in brotherly love; giving preference to one another in honor, Believers are not to love merely “with word or with tongue, but indeed and truth” Minds governed by selfless humility (Phil. 2:3) produce lives that overflow with genuine, practical love for fellow believers.  This is the kind of love that Christ gives to us even when we do not deserve it.

The third mark of spiritual unity is being united in spirit. To be united in spirit is to live in selfless harmony with fellow believers. Allowing the Holy Spirit to have complete control.  This will exclude personal ambition, selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and the countless other evils that are the fruit of self-love. And will help grow the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

No two Christians—no matter what their level of spiritual maturity and knowledge of Scripture—will understand everything exactly alike. But if they are controlled by humility and love, they will be genuinely united in spirit. They will not allow inconsequential differences to divide them or to hinder their service to the Lord.  Our culture is looking for an authentic and unified church to believe in.

The fourth mark of spiritual unity is being intent on one purpose. This could be said of having the same mind.  A church that is going to be unified is a church that knows what its purpose is.  In the television and movie series “Star Trek” the actions of the Federation are controlled by a “Prime Directive”.  Before Jesus returned to heaven, he gave the disciples a “Prime Directive”, it was the “Great Commission” (Matt 28:18-20).  The church that stays focused on the “Great Commission” of spreading the Gospel will be unify.  The church will be intent on one purpose, everyone will be moving in the same direction.

Right Means (2:3-4)

In the first two verses of Phil 2 Paul has given us the motives and marks of a church that is unified. One could say that this is the theory behind unity, but how does one make it happen.  Paul gives us five means or principles that will answer the question “How is genuine spiritual unity achieved?”

 The first means of unity is “do nothing from selfishness or selfish ambition.”  Selfishness is at the root of every other sin.  A selfish person will seek to destroy others for their own edification and gain. Selfishness breeds anger, resentment, and jealousy.  It is a consuming and destructive sin. If there is to be unity in the church every member has to set aside self and focus on others and the mission of the church.

A second means for promoting spiritual unity is forsaking “empty conceit”.  This refers to a highly exaggerated self-view.  Whereas selfish ambition pursues personal goals, empty conceit seeks personal glory and acclaim.  When the only reason that we serve in the church is to get attention then it hinders the unity of the church.  All honor and glory must go to Christ.

Unfortunately, there are too many rock star preachers trying to build “their” church.   Which happens when church leadership becomes focused on Building, Bodies and Budgets.  This ultimately leads to disunity in the church.  This will lead to a mistrust of the church by the culture.

The third means of promoting spiritual unity is “humility of mind”. It is the very opposite of selfish ambition and empty conceit. Humility of mind is the bedrock of Christian character and of spiritual unity. It is not incidental that the first and foundational Beatitude refers to being “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3), which is synonymous with humility of mind.  Humility is the opposite of Pride. Pride has been the sin that has separated fallen man from God.

A fourth means for promoting spiritual unity is the negative admonition, “do not merely look out for your own personal interests.” This relates back to humility of mind.  The church is a body made up of many different parts.  Each party must complete its role in order for there to be unity.  Paul always referred to himself as a slave to Christ.  A slave never seeks his/her own interest.  Slaves only sought the interest of their master.

Many quarrels and divisions in churches concern programs or policies that may be equally biblical and important. Problems arise when people seek to promote their own ministry priorities at the expense of others. This many times leads to disunity. This division in the church is destructive. In every instance, the best interests of the Lord and other believers are sacrificed.

A unified church is a church where the members are more concerned with the mission than getting their way in how the mission is completed.  It is more important to complete your assigned part in the mission than to always want your way.  If the church is to have any influence on the culture it is going to have to be unified.  This means putting aside our personal desires and interest and follow Christ.

The fifth means for promoting spiritual unity is that of looking out “also for the interests of others”.  Looking out for others is indispensable for spiritual unity.  The key is “others.” The Christian faith was the first to make the word “others” important.  Christ left the glories of heaven to earth for “others”? The church was given the Great Commission to spread the Gospel to “others”.   We can only have the mind of Christ when we are focused on “others.”

Unfortunately, this idea runs against what our culture teaches.  We live in a culture that says, “What I think of believe is all that matters.”  In our culture the supreme virtue is self-love and the supreme purpose in life is self-fulfillment. What is even sadder is that this mindset has entered the church and hinders its mission.

If the church is going to be unified. Then every believer cannot be completely absorbed in his or her own concerns.  They have to be concerned with the needs of others. looking out for the interests of others requires believers to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15). The joyful unity of believers in Christ offers a powerful testimony to the world that the God of love they preach is real, active, and eager to bring others into His loving family.  This is going to cause believers to become humble in their attitude toward one another.  We have to remember that we are called to serve not be served.

Illustration: Tool Talk

I found this story several years ago that illustrates what Paul is trying to teach us in this passage.

Someone has imagined the Carpenter’s tools holding a conference. Brother Hammer presided. Several suggested he leave the meeting because he was too noisy. Replied the Hammer, “If I have to leave this shop, Brother Screw must go also. You have to turn him around again and again to get him to accomplish anything.”

Brother Screw then spoke up. “If you wish, I’ll leave. But Brother Plane must leave too. All his work is on the surface. His efforts have no depth.”

To this Brother Plane responded, “Brother Rule will also have to withdraw, for he is always measuring folks as though he were the only one who is right.”

Brother Rule then complained against Brother Sandpaper, “You ought to leave too because you’re so rough and always rubbing people the wrong way.”

In the midst of all this discussion, in walked the Carpenter of Nazareth. He had arrived to start His day’s work. Putting on His apron, He went to the bench to make a pulpit from which to proclaim the Gospel. He employed the hammer, screw, plane, rule, sandpaper, and all the other tools. After the day’s work when the pulpit was finished, Brother Saw arose and remarked, “Brethren, I observe that all of us are workers together with the Lord.” (Author Unknown)

What practical steps could you, or your church leaders, take to cultivate the spirit of greater unity in your church or fellowship group?

Christ the Pattern. (2:5-11)

Paul proceeds to give the Philippians several examples that they should emulate when it comes to being unified and humble. The first being Christ himself.  If we are going to be humble and unified, we will have to have the same attitude that Jesus did.  He humbled himself and became a servant to others. A result of His humility, God highly exalted Him.

Jesus is the greatest example of humility. He has always been God. John 1:1 speaks of Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” As God, he did not selfishly grasp hold of or tightly hold to his position as equal with God. Instead, he was willing to leave his high position in heaven temporarily and to give himself over to serving our needs.

Jesus made himself nothing or “emptied himself.” Scholars refer to this important statement as kenosis, from the Greek word kenoo. Literally, “he emptied himself.” Jesus emptied Himself. Of what? Of His divinity? No. When Jesus came as a Man, He was still divine.  He emptied Himself of His divine powers.  Charles C. Ryrie sheds light on this event: “Christ didn’t become any less God, but he chose not to use some of his divine attributes.”

Jesus’ willing laid aside His divine attributes, being obedient to God the Father. Jesus took on human form and came to earth as a baby in the manger.  He lived a sinless life and then willingly went to the cross for our sins.  He rose from the grave and returned to heaven.

Today we do not worship a “babe in a manger” or a “sacrifice on a cross”; we worship an exalted Lord seated on a throne in heaven. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. One day every knew will bow and every tongue will confess the Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:9-10).

There is no joy or peace in pride and self-seeking. When we have the submissive mind that Christ had, then we will have the joy and peace that He alone can give.  This has to be the attitude and the lifestyle that we must pursue.

Our mission is to tell the world that Jesus is Lord, and if they will confess and believe in Him as such, they will be saved (Rom 10:9, 13). Let us adore Him. Let our minds be on Him. Let our attitude be like His. Let our actions reflect Him—all of this is to the glory of God the Father.

How is Jesus’ model of humility different from a worldly view of humility? How can you put this type of life into practice today?

‌Paul as an Example. (2:12-18)

Starting in verse 12 Paul begins to give us several examples of Christians that have this pattern of rejoicing in Christ.   They have a submissive mind.  Paul portrays them as obedient children of God, who seek to honor the Father.  He compares them to shining stars and runners with the batons.  He reminds us that if we are going to have submissive and humble minds, we are going to have to be willing to live a life of sacrifice and service.

The church in Philippi was a church, not unlike today’s church, facing great pressures from the culture. The culture had many gods. Christianity teaches there is only one God. On top of the fact that the culture was against them, their leader and founder, Paul, was in prison, and they were concerned for his life. 

In verse 12 Paul says to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” The word he uses for work out is katergazesthai, which always has the idea of bringing to completion. It is as if Paul is saying: “Don’t stop half-way; go on until the work of salvation is fully achieved in you.” No Christian should be satisfied with anything less than the total benefits of the gospel.

Paul is not indicating that we have to work for our salvation.  He is pointing out that there is two parts to our salvation.  The first part of our salvation consists of work for us, the free gift of salvation that Christ provided with His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. The second of work in us. …. The second part of salvation consists of a work in us—this is the operation of God the Holy Ghost.  This is called sanctification and it will not come to completion until we arrive in heaven.  The principal Paul is wanting us to see is that God must work in us before He can work through us.

How do we work out our salvation.   It begins with a daily walk with God in prayer and holding fast to the Word of God.  We are to do all things without grumbling and disputing.  There must be a spirit of humility and unity among believers. We have to look different from the culture. We have to become more like Jesus.

We are to be like shining lights in the midst of this crooked and twisted culture.  When we allow God to work in our lives, we will not be like the godless society around us.  They will see the light of Christ in our live shining so brightly that it makes them curious as to why we are not like them. Christ, himself, said that we are to be “the light of the world” (Matt 5:14)

To live this kind of life is going to require sacrifice.  Paul offers himself as a pattern for what it is like to rejoice in sacrifice. Paul taken his body and offered it as a sacrifice and service for people. He wanted Christ to receive all the honor and the glory. Paul considered it a privilege to die for the faith, and he wanted the Philippians to take the same attitude in the case of his death. This was the mind of Paul. I can think of no higher wish for the Christian life.

What sacrifices can you make for the sake of others today?

‌Timothy as an Example. (2:19-24)

Paul presents Timothy as an example of how believers are to live.  Timothy was a model of love and concern for others.  He had been with Paul when he started the church at Philippi. He had placed himself wholly in the service of Christ and Paul.  So much that he was there in Rome. Timothy was known by the church at Philippi, and he had great love and concern for the Philippian church.

Timothy was one who didn’t have an agenda of his own. His attitude was “I care about the people you care about, Paul. I’m going to serve you as a son would serve his father. And I’ll go if you want me to go.”  The submissive mind was not something that suddenly appeared in the life of Timothy.  It was developed and cultivated over time. As he walked with the Lord and worked with Paul, he became the kind of servant that Paul could trust, and God could Bless.

Like Timothy we have to learn that serving Christ, involves serving others in the church.  This will only happen when we truly learn to love others and seek to give Jesus all the glory.  When we serve out of joy and not selfish agendas, we will be able to understand, like Timothy, what it means to have the mind of Christ.

‌Epaphroditus as an Example. (2:25-30)

Having placed Christ, himself, and Timothy as examples of humility and having the mind of Christ. Paul now sets a member of their own church as an example. Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippian church with a financial gift for Paul’s ministry. It is mostly that the church had expected Epaphroditus to stay in Rome and minister to the needs of Paul, but Paul tells them that he is sending him back because Epaphroditus had been sick.

Paul did not send Epaphroditus back to Philippi because he was tired of serving Paul.  But Epaphroditus was longing for his fellow believers in Philippi and was distressed because they had heard that he was sick. Epaphroditus had become very sick, and God had healed him. 

Epaphroditus’ had not planned to return to Philippi when he did.  Paul hoped that the return of Epaphroditus would bring joy to the Philippians. Seeing someone alive and well who almost died always brings deep satisfying joy. Paul would no longer have to worry about the health of Epaphroditus. Nor would he need to be concerned about the Philippian church. Because the Philippians would no longer worry about Epaphroditus and because Epaphroditus could minister in Paul’s stead to the church’s needs.

In sending Epaphroditus back Paul wanted the Philippians to what high regard he had for Epaphroditus.  Paul uses three names to characterize the ministry of Epaphroditus. (1) my brother (Greek: adelphos), which means he was a fellow believer; (2) fellow worker ( Greek: synergos) , which means he too was working for God’s kingdom—in Philippi, in Rome, or both; and (3) fellow soldier ( Greek: systratiōtēs), which refers to the solidarity among believers who are fighting the same battle—that of bringing the gospel to an unbelieving and increasingly hostile world.

In chapter 2, Paul sets forth the humble examples of Christ, himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus as models for them to emulate. Paul’s desire is that those who read this letter have the mind of Christ. This to have an attitude of humility and unity that will cause the reader to unselfishly serve one another.

How can you look out for the interests of the Lord rather than your own interests?

Points of Application

• Those who promote unity spread Joy.
• God calls us humbly to love and serve others.
• Sacrificial love is the result of God working in us.
• I shine like a star when I look out for the needs of others.
• When you look out for the interests of others, you look out for the interests of Christ.

Sources