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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Philippians Chapter 2  

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Paul
Date Penned: (61 AD)
Overview: Paul Proclaims Truth to Strengthen the Body (c 1-4)
Theme: Joy Comes from Jesus Christ Alone (c 1-4)
Message: Joy in Serving (v 1-30)

Philippians 2 Commentary

(2:1-4) Unity Through Humility - Verses 1-18 continue the thought from 1:27-28. Paul wanted unity in the Philippian church so they could carry on the ministry of the gospel; but such unity would only be possible by being united with Christ so that there would be harmonious relationships among the believers themselves.

(2:5-11) Christ's Humility and Exaltation - If anyone didn’t understand what Paul meant by acting out of humility (2:3) and looking first to others’ concerns (2:4), then Paul made it clear by giving an example to follow. The believers should adopt the same attitude or frame of mind that was found in Jesus Christ, their Lord.

(2:12-18) Shine Brightly for Christ - Believers ought to follow Christ’s example not only to bring unity and peace to the church, but also so that no one in the outside world would be able to find any fault with them. Philippi was a pagan city; Paul wanted these believers to be unified, morally pure, and filled with good works so that they could bring the light of Christ into their dark world. Is your light shining for Christ?

(2:19-24) Paul Commends Timothy - Paul had nothing but praise for two of his coworkers—Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:25-30). Both had proven themselves to be faithful in the ministry and sincere in their love for fellow believers. Because he could not go to Philippi, Paul would soon send Timothy.

(2:25-30) Paul Commends Epaphroditus - Timothy would come after Paul found out the verdict of his trial; but Paul thought it was necessary to send Epaphroditus along immediately. Paul explained that Epaphroditus had fulfilled the mission for which the Philippian church had sent him. While in Rome, he had become extremely ill (2:27, 30). After his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi, carrying this thank-you letter and news of Paul to share with them.

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Joy in Serving

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Philippians with Chapter 2 and in our text we see Paul continuing with the theme of Joy. In this letter to the Church at Philippi Paul expounds on the Joy in Serving, explaining how we are to be humble like Christ and shine as lights in a dark world. In making application we see that the world is still dark and we can let our light shine showing the love of Christ where God has placed us. How about you? Are you allowing Christ to be seen in your life? Let us learn from our text today and the reminder of Paul that we are to allow the Lord to shine in us, for others to see and experience the love of Christ, while in return we will experience this Joy in Serving Others.

 

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Philippians 2

Philippians 2

 1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

 2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

 18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

 19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

 20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

 22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

 23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

 24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

 25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

 26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

 27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

 28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

 30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.