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the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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King James Version

Philippians 2:1

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflicted;   Bowels;   Church;   Communion;   Fellowship;   Holy Spirit;   Sympathy;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Communion with God;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Church;   Encouragement;   Holy spirit;   Philippians, letter to the;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Baptize, Baptism;   Consolation;   Disciple, Discipleship;   Discipline;   Fellowship;   Holy Spirit;   Marriage;   Spirituality;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bowels;   Communion;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Bowels;   Philippi;   Philippians, the Epistle to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Compassion;   Fellowship;   Humility;   Jesus Christ;   Marriage;   Mercy, Merciful;   Paul;   Philippians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Comfort;   Communion;   Joy;   Mercy, Merciful;   Philippians, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Brotherhood (2);   Comfort;   Fellowship;   Fellowship (2);   Murmuring;   Philippians Epistle to the;   Pity;   Pity Compassion;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Bowels;   Fellowship,;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Body;   Brotherly Kindness;   Communion;   Compassion;   Exhortation;   Humility;   Joy;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for October 19;   Every Day Light - Devotion for December 2;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
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,
Legacy Standard Bible
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,
Simplified Cowboy Version
If you are really riding for Jesus, if you've really received his love, if you've been riding together like Jesus told you to, if any of this has changed your attitude,
Bible in Basic English
If then there is any comfort in Christ, any help given by love, any uniting of hearts in the Spirit, any loving mercies and pity,
Darby Translation
If then [there be] any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of [the] Spirit, if any bowels and compassions,
Christian Standard Bible®
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
World English Bible
If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
If there be then any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies; Fulfil ye my joy,
Weymouth's New Testament
If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind,
King James Version (1611)
If there bee therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of loue, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels, & mercies;
Literal Translation
So then, if there is any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and compassions,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf there be amonge you eny consolacion in Christ, yf there be eny comforte of loue, yf there be eny fellishippe off the sprete, yf there be eny compassion and mercy,
Mace New Testament (1729)
If then there be any christian consolation, any charitable relief, any communion of the spirit, if any tenderness of compassion,
THE MESSAGE
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Amplified Bible
Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,
American Standard Version
If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,
Revised Standard Version
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
If ther be amoge you eny consolacion in Christ yf ther be eny cofortable love yf there be eny fellishippe of the sprete yf ther be eny copassion or mercy:
Update Bible Version
If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,
Webster's Bible Translation
If [there is] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Young's Literal Translation
If, then, any exhortation [is] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
New Century Version
Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness?
New English Translation
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy,
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
Contemporary English Version
Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, if you have any encouragement for me from your being in union with the Messiah, any comfort flowing from love, any fellowship with me in the Spirit, or any compassion and sympathy,
English Standard Version
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Geneva Bible (1587)
If there be therfore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of loue, if any felowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercie,
George Lamsa Translation
IF, therefore, you have found consola tion in Christ, or whole hearted love or fellowship of the Spirit or compassion and mercies,
Hebrew Names Version
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,
International Standard Version
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy,2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 3:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
IF, therefore, you have consolation in the Meshiha, and if there be comfort in love, [fn] and if communion of the Spirit, and if compassions and mercies,
Murdock Translation
If, therefore, ye have consolation in the Messiah, or if a commingling of hearts in love, or if a fellowship of the Spirit, or if compassions and sympathies;
New King James Version
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
New Living Translation
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
New Life Bible
Are you strong because you belong to Christ? Does His love comfort you? Do you have joy by being as one in sharing the Holy Spirit? Do you have loving-kindness and pity for each other?
English Revised Version
If there is therefore any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,
New Revised Standard
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If there be, therefore, any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions,
Douay-Rheims Bible
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:
Lexham English Bible
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christe, yf any comfort of loue, if any felowship of ye spirite, yf any compassion and mercie,
Easy-to-Read Version
Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings,
New American Standard Bible
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
Good News Translation
Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor if ony coumfort is in Crist, if ony solace of charite, if ony felouschipe of spirit, if ony inwardnesse of merci doyng,

Contextual Overview

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

any consolation: Philippians 3:3, Luke 2:10, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:25, John 14:18, John 14:27, John 15:11, John 16:22-24, John 17:13, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2, Romans 15:12, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:31, 2 Corinthians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:17, Hebrews 6:18, 1 Peter 1:6-8

if any comfort: Psalms 133:1, John 15:10-12, Acts 2:46, Acts 4:32, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:30-32, Colossians 2:2, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:16

if any fellowship: Romans 5:5, Romans 8:9-16, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 2:18-22, Ephesians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:24

if any bowels: Philippians 1:8, Colossians 3:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:30 - his bowels 1 Kings 3:26 - her bowels Psalms 25:6 - thy tender mercies Proverbs 15:17 - General Isaiah 16:11 - my Isaiah 29:19 - meek Isaiah 63:15 - thy bowels Jeremiah 32:39 - I Ezekiel 11:19 - I will give Matthew 5:9 - are Mark 9:50 - have peace Luke 1:78 - tender John 13:34 - That ye love John 14:16 - another John 17:21 - they all Acts 7:26 - ye are Acts 9:31 - and in Romans 12:1 - by the Romans 14:17 - peace Romans 14:19 - follow Romans 15:30 - and for 1 Corinthians 1:10 - that ye 1 Corinthians 13:4 - is not 1 Corinthians 16:14 - General 2 Corinthians 7:6 - that comforteth 2 Corinthians 13:11 - be of one Galatians 5:26 - desirous Ephesians 4:13 - we all Philippians 1:27 - that ye Philemon 1:20 - refresh Hebrews 13:1 - General 1 John 1:3 - ye also

Cross-References

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:10
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
Genesis 2:5
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
Genesis 2:8
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Genesis 2:11
The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
Genesis 2:13
And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
Exodus 20:11
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 31:17
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ,.... Or "exhortation", as the word is sometimes rendered; that is, either if there is any exhortation of Christ to love and unity, as there is in

John 13:34, and this is of any weight and value; or if an exhortation hereunto made in the name of Christ, by any of his ministers, messengers, and ambassadors, will be regarded, as it ought to be, then fulfil ye my joy, c. Philippians 2:2, but as the word is frequently translated "consolation", as it is here in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions the sense may be either, if there is any comfort to be given to them that are in Christ Jesus, as every converted man is, and as the apostle was, and especially to them that are afflicted and persecuted for the sake of Christ, are prisoners in him, and on his account, which was the apostle's case, then he desired they would attend to his following request: or if there was any consolation for them, and they had had any comfort in and from Christ; as all true, solid, strong, and everlasting consolation is only in Christ, and is founded on the greatness of his person, as God our Saviour, on the fulness of his grace, the efficacy of his blood, the perfection of his righteousness and sacrifice, and on the great salvation he is the author of: agreeably the Syriac version renders it, "if therefore ye have any consolation in Christ"; and the Arabic version, "if therefore ye enjoy any consolation from the grace of Christ"; which is displayed in the Gospel, as undoubtedly they did; and since then all this comfort was enjoyed by them, through the Gospel the apostle preached to them, the argument from hence must be strong upon them, to attend to what he desired of them:

if any comfort of love; in it, or from it; as from the love of God the Father, which is everlasting and unchangeable, and must be comforting, when shed abroad in the heart by the Spirit; and from the love of the Son, which is the same, and equally immovable and lasting, and which passeth knowledge; and from the love of the Spirit, in applying the grace of the Father, and of the Son, whereby he becomes a glorifier of them, and a comforter of his people; and from the love of the saints to one another, which renders their communion with each other comfortable, pleasant, and delightful: or the apostle's sense is, if they had so much love for him, as to wish and desire he might be comforted in his present situation, and that they would be willing to make use of any methods to comfort him, then he desires this; and this is all he desires, mutual love, peace, harmony, and agreement among themselves:

if any fellowship of the spirit: of the spirit of one saint with another; if there is such a thing as an union of spirits, an oneness of souls, a tasting of each other's spirits, and a communion with one another, then care should be taken to keep this unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:3: or if there is any fellowship of the Holy Spirit of God, any communion with him, any such thing as a witnessing of him to, and with our spirits, or as fellowship with the Father and the Son by him, and saints are baptized into one body by one Spirit, and have been made to drink of the same Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13, then it becomes them to be of one mind, and to stand fast in one Spirit, Philippians 1:27:

if any bowels and mercies; as there are in God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, moving towards the saints; or such as become Christians, who, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to put on bowels of mercies to one another; express the most hearty, inward, tender, and compassionate concern for each other's welfare, temporal and spiritual. Thus the apostle premises the most moving and pathetic arguments, leading on to the exhortations and advice, to love, harmony, and unity, given in Philippians 2:2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ - This, with what is said in the remainder of the verse, is designed as a motive for what he exhorts them to in Philippians 2:2 - that they would be of the same mind, and would thus fulfill his joy. To urge them to this, he appeals to the tender considerations which religion furnished - and begins by a reference to the consolation which there was in Christ. The meaning here may be this: “I am now persecuted and afflicted. In my trials it will give me the highest joy to learn that you act as becomes Christians. You also are persecuted and afflicted Philippians 1:28-30; and, in these circumstances, I entreat that the highest consolation may be sought; and by all that is tender and sacred in the Christian religion, I conjure you, so to live as not to dishonor the gospel. So live as to bring down the highest consolation which can be obtained - the consolation which Christ alone can impart We are not to suppose that Paul doubted whether there was any consolation in Christ but the form of expression here is one that is designed to urge upon them the duty of seeking the highest possible. The consolation in Christ is that which Christ furnishes or imparts. Paul regarded him as the source of all comfort, and earnestly prays that they might so live that he and they might avail themselves in the fullest sense of that unspeakable enjoyment. The idea is, that Christians ought at all times, and especially in affliction, so to act as to secure the highest possible happiness which their Saviour can impart to them. Such an object is worth their highest effort; and if God sees it needful, in order to that, that they should endure much affliction, still it is gain. Religious consolation is always worth all which it costs to secure it.

If any comfort of love - If there be any comfort in the exercise of tender affection. That there is, no one can doubt. Our happiness is almost all centered in love. It is when we love a parent, a wife, a child, a sister, a neighbor, that we have the highest earthly enjoyment. It is in the love of God, of Christ, of Christians, of the souls of people, that the redeemed find their highest happiness. Hatred is a passion full of misery; love an emotion full of joy. By this consideration, Paul appeals to them, and the motive here is drawn from all the joy which mutual love and sympathy are fitted to produce in the soul Paul would have that love exercised in the highest degree, and would have them enjoy all the happiness which its mutual exercise could furnish.

If any fellowship of the Spirit - The word “fellowship - κοινωνία koinōnia - means that which is common to two or more; that of which they partake together; Ephesians 3:9 note; Philippians 1:5 note. The idea here is, that among Christians there was a participation in the influences of the Holy Spirit; that they shared in some degree the feelings, views, and joys of the Sacred Spirit Himself; and that this was a privilege of the highest order. By this fact, Paul now exhorts them to unity, love, and zeal - so to live that they might partake in the highest degree of the consolations of this Spirit.

If any bowels and mercies - If there is any affectionate bond by which you are united to me, and any regard for my sorrows, and any desire to fill up my joys, so live as to impart to me, your spiritual father and friend, the consolation which I seek.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER II.

The apostle beseeches them by various considerations, to live

in unity and in the spirit of the Gospel, loving each other;

and each to prefer his brother to himself, 1-4.

He exhorts them to be like-minded with Christ, who, though in

the form of God, and equal with God, made himself of no

reputation, and humbled himself to the death of the cross for

the salvation of man; in consequence of which he was highly

exalted, and had a name above every name; to whose authority

every knee should bow, and whose glory every tongue should

acknowledge, 5-11.

They are exhorted to work out their own salvation through his

power who works in them, that they may be blameless, and that

the apostle's labour may not be in vain, 12-16.

He expresses his readiness to offer his life for the Gospel,

17,18.

Intends to send Timothy to them, of whom he gives a very high

character; yet hopes to see them himself shortly, 19-24.

In the meantime sends Epaphroditus, who had been near death, and

whom he begs them to receive with especial tenderness, 25-30.

NOTES ON CHAP. II.

Verse Philippians 2:1. If there be therefore any consolation — The ει, if, does not express any doubt here, but on the contrary is to be considered as a strong affirmation; as there is consolation in Christ, as there is comfort of love, c.

The word παρακλησις, translated here consolation, is in other places rendered exhortation, and is by several critics understood so here as if he had said: If exhorting you in the name of Christ have any influence with you, c. It is extremely difficult to give the force of these expressions they contain a torrent of most affecting eloquence, the apostle pouring out his whole heart to a people whom with all his heart he loved, and who were worthy of the love even of an apostle.

If any comfort of love — If the followers of Christ, by giving proofs of their ardent love to each other in cases of distress, alleviate the sufferings of the persecuted;

If any fellowship of the Spirit — If there be an intimate relation established among all Christians, by their being made mutual partakers of the holy Ghost;

If any bowels and mercies — If you, as persons whom I have brought to God at the hazard of my life, feel sympathetic tenderness for me now, in a farther state of suffering;


 
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