“…if any comfort of love…”
In 2:1 Paul challenges the Philippians toward unity with four incentives. We come to the second catalyst for unity.
“if any comfort of love”
This second “if” is also a fact and can be translated “since.” Since it is true that we are comforted by God’s love.”Comfort” means a speaking near or with […]
Archive for November, 1995
“…if any fellowship of the Spirit…”
Today we consider the third incentive for unity with other Christians.
“if any fellowship of the Spirit”
This third “if” is also a fact and can be translated “since.” Since it is true that we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Paul assumes this as a fact.The word “fellowship” means common […]
“…if any affection and mercy.”
Today we come to the last of the four motivations for unity.
“if any affection and mercy.”
Once again, this “if” is true. It can be translated “since.” “Since it is true that we have affection and mercy.”Paul assumes that it is normal for Christians to have concern and love for each […]
“Fulfill my joy by being like-minded…”
Having appealed to four powerful, poignant motivations in verse one, Paul now makes his challenge. He challenges them to harmony, vv2-4.
This challenge is that they would develop four areas of harmony:
like-minded
same love
of one accord
of one mind
“Fulfill my joy by being like-minded”
“Fulfill” means literally to make full or to fill. It […]
“…having the same love…”
Having looked at the first area of harmony (oneness of attitude) we turn to the second phrase “having the same love.”
“having the same love”
This is unity of affection, two hearts beating as one. It will fulfill Paul’s joy if the Philippians have “the same love.”The word “having” means to go on having, […]
“…being of one accord…”
In the first part of this verse Paul appealed to unity through like-mindedness and love. He continues his plea with a third characteristic of unity.
“being of one accord”
This phrase means literally “co-souled”, “soul with soul.” This is unity of sentiment, a unity of life in love. Christians should have souls that are […]
“…of one mind…”
This is the last of the fourfold result of Paul’s fourfold appeal to unity (v1). We come to the last result.
“of one mind”
Literally, this means to think one thing, “thinking the one thing.”This does not mean to think the same content from a human point of view. It does not mean that everyone […]
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit…”
The plea for unity in commands of 3 and 4 is given on the basis of the privileges of verse one. Now he challenges believers with self-centered problems.
Paul argues against two negative attitudes in this verse.
Let nothing be done through
“Through” indicates that Christians use these two […]
…but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
The two negatives in the first part of this verse are followed by a positive. The thesis of promoting self for self glory has an antithesis–esteem others better than self.
“but in lowliness of mind”
A spirit of pride before other Christians is an […]
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests…
We live in a culture where everyone looks out for himself. The things of others do not concern us. Here we are introduced to the opposite value.
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests”
This first phrase indicates the […]