Work out -- κατεργάζεσθε (καταχθονίων) (2nd person, plural, present middle indicative, (deponent) tense = "continue to" ) = to work to full completion. Working at and finally accomplishing. . Used of working out a mine to get all the valuable ore out. Ephesians 6:13 (same word) "having worked out"
Fear - trembling -- fear of offending God, and out of respect for Him. Acts 2:40Ephesians 2:8-9
Offered -- A libration sacrifice (a drink offering) (pres. tense) The topping off of an animal sacrifice. Exodus 29:38-41; 2 Kings 16:13; Jeremiah 7:18
Service -- The Philippians were offering their lives as their sacrifice to the Lord.
Joy -- rejoice -- Key words for this section. (twice again in the next verse, 19 x in book, Philippians 4:4)
Bibliographical Information Gann, Windell. "Commentary on Philippians 2". Gann's Commentary on the Bible. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/gbc/philippians-2.html. 2021.
Verse 1
Philippians 2:1
The Secret of JOY in Spite of PEOPLE is a Self-Emptying Life (The Submissive Mind.)
Ch. 2 Self-Emptying Life (v.7 ASV) Self-Yielding, Self-Giving;
1) Enquires v. 3-4 "others"
2) Exemplified in Christ - v. 5-11
3) Illustrated in two saints, Timothy and Epaphroditus
Problem today is being "ME deep in self".
Ch. 1 Teaches us to put Christ first.
Ch. 2 Teaches us to put Others before ourselves.
- - - -
If ... Since
Consolation -- encouragement
Bowels -- tender compassion
Verse 2
Philippians 2:2
Fulfil -- Make my joy complete.
Ye be -- present tense Ephesians 4:3
One accord -- united
One mind -- sympsyche
Four examples:
1) Christ - v. 1-11
2) Paul - v.12-18
3) Timothy - v.19-24
4) Epaphroditus - v.25-30
Verse 3
Philippians 2:3
Keyverse (v.3 & 4)
Vainglory -- selfish ambition, conceit
Lowliness --
Each esteem -- thoughtful consideration
Better -- more important
Verse 4
Philippians 2:4
Others -- Key idea of this chapter, see v. 3 and 4.
Serving Others - Matthew 20:26; Matthew 23:11 Mark 10:43
Luke 22:26-27 Philippians 2:4 1 Corinthians 10:24
Verse 5
Philippians 2:5
Four Characteristics of the Self-Emptying Life
1) He thinks of others, not himself - v. 5-6
2) He servers others - v.7
3) He sacrifices - v. 8
4) He glorifies God - v. 9-11
See Ephesians 3:17 note on "Indwelling"
Verse 6
Philippians 2:6
Form -- divine attributes, not shape or size, morphe, essence.
Robbery -- Emptied Himself of His privileges "grasped" by robbery (early definition)
Equal with God -- He was, John 1:1-4
Cf. NASB "did not regard equality with God Almighty a things to be grasped" (He "emptied Himself").
Verse 7
Philippians 2:7
No reputation -- ASV emptied.
Form -- The incarnation
Jesus’ Steps In His Self-Emptying Life
1) He emptied Himself - v. 7
2) He took a human body - v.7
3) He became a servant - v. 7
4) He obeyed all the way to the cross - v.8
verse 7 Not a surrender of Divinity but a self-renunciation, a denial of self and becoming a servant.
He set aside privileges.
Set Aside His Privileges
1) heavenly glory
2) independent authority
3) divine prerogative (attributes)
4) eternal riches
5) a favorable relationship with the Father (Matthew 27:46)
Verse 8
Philippians 2:8
Fashion -- schema, outward form
Humbled himself -- Taking all the attributes of man
Death -- Isaiah 53, the Suffering Servant
Death of the cross -- a criminal’s death
Verse 9
Philippians 2:9
Highly exalted -- 1 Peter 5:6
Given Him a name -- parallel to the idea of giving a title or position. A new identity, that as intercessor, and High Priest.
Verse 10
Philippians 2:10
At -- in
In heaven -- the saved, angels in heaven
In earth -- the living
Under the earth -- the lost - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, and demons , 1 Peter 3:18-22
Verse 11
Philippians 2:11
Lord -- Title in O.T. LORD ( YHWH ) "Sovereign Ruler"
Glory -- God, the Father, is glorified in our acknowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord.
Verse 12
Philippians 2:12
Obeyed -- Our response
Work out --κατεργάζεσθε (καταχθονίων ) (2nd person, plural, present middle indicative, (deponent) tense = "continue to" ) = to work to full completion. Working at and finally accomplishing. . Used of working out a mine to get all the valuable ore out. Ephesians 6:13 (same word) "having worked out"
Fear - trembling -- fear of offending God, and out of respect for Him. Acts 2:40 Ephesians 2:8-9
Verse 13
Philippians 2:13
2:12-18 The Ins and Outs of Christian Living
1) There is a purpose to achieve , 2:12, 14-16
2) There is a power to receive 2:13
God -- God produces the good works and spiritual fruits.
Worketh -- (Present active masculine participle, thus continual action.) Acts 2:40 Ephesians 2:8-9
1 Thessalonians 2:13 The word of God working in us.
In you.. to will -- to do -- Ephesians 3:20 power, = Christ in our hearts by faith. Philippians 4:13; Philippians 3:17
The Holy Spirit’s tools: a) the Word - 1 Thessalonians 2:13; b) prayer - Ephesians 3:20
(for outline, see note on Philippians 2:12 )
Verse 14
Philippians 2:14
Murmurings -- The cooing of doves. (The word sounds in Greek like it means.) (NIV & NKJV = complaining; RSV = "grumbling or questioning")
Disputings -- Negative criticism of God, like in the OT wilderness. (NIV = arguing;)
Verse 15
Philippians 2:15
Blameless -- A life not criticized of sin or evil, thus "innocent".
Harmless -- Innocent
Without rebuke -- without fault.
Perverse -- Strayed off course.
Shine as lights -- In a dark culture we are to be lights. [Now in our society or culture? Today is giving us an opportunity to shine.]
Verse 16
Philippians 2:16
2:12-18 The Ins and Outs of Christian Living
1) There is a purpose to achieve , 2:12, 14-16
2) There is a power to receive 2:13
3) There is a promise to believe, 2:16-18
Holding fast -- Believers holding something out for others to take ... Ephesians 2:11
Rejoice -- The joy comes from submission, or the Self-emptying life.
A two-fold joy: 1) hereafter, v.16; 2) now, v.17-18
In two verses discussing sacrifice and service, Paul used the words "joy" "rejoice" twice.
In the day of Christ -- Philippians 1:6; Philemon 1:10
Run in vain -- laboured in vain -- Paul’s world.
Verse 17
Philippians 2:17
Offered -- A libration sacrifice (a drink offering) (pres. tense) The topping off of an animal sacrifice. Exodus 29:38-41; 2 Kings 16:13; Jeremiah 7:18
Service -- The Philippians were offering their lives as their sacrifice to the Lord.
Joy -- rejoice -- Key words for this section. (twice again in the next verse, 19 x in book, Philippians 4:4)
Verse 18
Philippians 2:18
Joy -- rejoice -- Key words (Twice also in previous verse, 19 times in book, see Philippians 4:4)
Verse 19
Philippians 2:19
A Priceless Pair 2:19-30 (sermon)
Examples of Self-Emptying Lives - Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Timothy
1) He had a Servant’s mind - v. 19-21
An unselfish concern for others.
We live in Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21
2) He had a Servant’s training - v.22
1 Timothy 3:6-7
His branches widened as his roots went down.
3) He had a Servant’s reward - v. 23
Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17 ff
Verse 20
Philippians 2:20
Like-minded -- "one-souled" cf. Philippians 2:2. Paul had no other like him.
Verse 21
Philippians 2:21
Verse 22
Philippians 2:22
Timothy proved his ability and loyalty. His life was an open book.
Verse 23
Philippians 2:23
Verse 24
Philippians 2:24
Paul may have been released (Acts 26:32 ; Acts 28:30 ) and visited Philippi again.
Verse 25
Philippians 2:25
II. Epaphroditus 2:25-30
Paul a Hebrew of the Hebrews; Timothy a Jew and Gentile; Epaphroditus - all Gentile
1) He was a balanced Christian - 2.25
"my brother" - in the fellowship of the gospel
"my companion" - in the furtherance of the gospel
"my fellow soldier" - in the faith of the gospel
2) He was a burdened Christian - 2:26-27, 30
Gave himself to carry the offering from his church to Paul. They worried.
2) He was a blessed Christian - 2:28-30
What a tragedy to be a blessing to no one.
He was a blessing to Paul. To the church.
No contradiction between Philippians 2:7 and Philippians 2:28.
There should be on contradiction in us.
* He proves to us that the joyful life is a life of service and sacrifice.
Christ is the pattern.
Paul shows us the power.
Timothy and Epaphroditus are the proof that the Self-Emptying life is best.
Verse 26
Philippians 2:26
Verse 27
Philippians 2:27
Verse 28
Philippians 2:28
Verse 29
Philippians 2:29
Hold ..reputation -- "in high regard" NASB.
Verse 30
Philippians 2:30