Philippians 2

General context

Paul asks them to complete his joy by being likeminded, with the same love and one accord, doing nothing through strife or vainglory, valuing others above themselves and looking at other people's concerns as well as their own. He tells them to have the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and describes it in the letter's own words: being in the form of God, he thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of men, humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Because of that, God highly exalted him and gave him a name above every name, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. From this he draws instruction: they have always obeyed, and now in his absence they should work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, since God works in them to will and to do. They are to act without murmurings and disputings, blameless among a crooked and perverse nation, shining as lights and holding forth the word of life, so that he did not run in vain. Even if he is poured out on the sacrifice of their faith, he says, he rejoices, and asks them to rejoice too. He then sets out travel plans. He hopes to send Timotheus, saying no one else cares for them in the same way because all seek their own, and that Timotheus served with him as a son with a father. He also sends back Epaphroditus, their messenger, who had been sick nearly to death and was distressed that they had heard of it, and asks them to receive him gladly and honour such men.

Cited passages: Philippians 2:1, Philippians 2:2, Philippians 2:3, Philippians 2:4, Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:6, Philippians 2:7, Philippians 2:8, Philippians 2:9, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 2:14, Philippians 2:15, Philippians 2:16, Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:19, Philippians 2:20, Philippians 2:21, Philippians 2:22, Philippians 2:25, Philippians 2:26, Philippians 2:27, Philippians 2:29, Philippians 2:30

Philippians 2 (KJV)

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Historical context

Two companions are named. Timotheus is described only by his service, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel, with no account of where he came from. Epaphroditus is given five descriptions at once, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants, which makes him the readers' delegate as well as Paul's colleague. His illness is stated three times and never named; the chapter says only that he was sick nigh unto death and that God had mercy on him. Two lines echo older scripture without any formula marking them as quotations. Verse 15 speaks of a crooked and perverse nation, where Deuteronomy 32:5 prints a perverse and crooked generation. Verses 10 and 11 speak of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, where Isaiah 45:23 prints That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. No place, date or destination for either journey is given.

Cited passages: Philippians 2:15, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 2:22, Philippians 2:25, Philippians 2:26, Philippians 2:27, Deuteronomy 32:5, Isaiah 45:23

Literary context

The passage about Christ at verses 6 to 11 is set apart by its rhythm. Its clauses are short, parallel and almost entirely verbs with a single subject, made himself of no reputation, took upon him, was made, humbled himself, became obedient, and it ends each stage lower than the last, finishing at even the death of the cross. Then one word turns it around. Wherefore changes the subject from Christ to God, and the second half rises as steadily as the first fell, through a name above every name to every knee and every tongue. What matters for the argument is how it is introduced. It arrives as an instruction about attitude, Let this mind be in you, so the highest writing in the letter is offered as a practical example. The two travel paragraphs then do the same work in plain terms: Timotheus and Epaphroditus are described by what they gave up for other people.

Cited passages: Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:6, Philippians 2:7, Philippians 2:8, Philippians 2:9, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 2:20, Philippians 2:21, Philippians 2:22, Philippians 2:30

Key moments

1. Esteem others better (Philippians 2:3). Paul asks for lowliness of mind rather than strife or vainglory.
2. Let this mind be in you (Philippians 2:5). The passage about Christ is introduced as an instruction about attitude.
3. Obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8). The descent ends at the death of the cross.
4. A name above every name (Philippians 2:9). The turn comes with God exalting him.
5. Work out your own salvation (Philippians 2:12). The example is applied to the readers' conduct in Paul's absence.
6. Timotheus to be sent (Philippians 2:20). Paul says nobody else cares for them in the same way.
7. Epaphroditus sick to death (Philippians 2:27). His illness and recovery are described as mercy to Paul as well.

For reflection

The instruction is to look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others, and the examples given are a death and a near death. Where would that instruction actually cost you something this week?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Epaphroditus
• Timothy