Philippians 2:1-5 Bible Teaching

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So, we left off wrapping chapter one of Philippians up but noted that chapter 2 is a straight up continuation of what Paul was saying in one.

And after instructing the believers on how to be, how to stand, how to not only believe on Christ but to suffer with him, Paul adds (at verse 1 of chapter 2)

Philippians 2.1-
February 9th 2020
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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;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All right back to verse 1 where Paul says:

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,

This verse – along with what he said last week and what he will say in the verses to come, is aimed at providing the motive for what he says in verse 2, meaning that they would be of the same mind and this would thus fulfill his joy.

So, flipping the order around we could take verse 2, and read it:

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

And then verse 1

So if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comforts of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels of mercies – (let them reign as a means to Verse 2)

“Fulfill ye my joy in being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

This is all a reiteration of what we covered last week – at least in the spirit of what we covered last week when Paul told them to stand in One Spirit, and One mind.

To urge them on toward this goal he appeals to the things that would enable them to accomplish such unity, and he starts with saying, SO . . . “if there is any consolation in Christ.”

The purpose of a consolation prize is to make someone who is not the winner feel better amidst their loss.

Paul and the believers at Philippi were suffering for His name, actually and physically, and so Paul stressed to them that if in all their discomfort they can find consolation in Christ to cling to it – as it would contribute both to His Joy and their unity.

Of course Paul was not suggesting that there is no consolation in Christ – his other writings ardently support that He is really the ONLY consolation, but this expression seems to be aimed at encouraging them to find consolation in Christ amidst their sufferings – which is what Paul was doing.

After mentioning consolation in Christ, Paul adds:

“If there is ANY comfort of love.”

In suffering, the comforts of love go a long way to alleviating our pains – and he encourages the believers to seek it.

Of course we all understand the value of genuine love when we struggle with life, and suffer from things, so this does not need much articulation.
He adds

“If any fellowship of the Spirit.”

The Greek term translated to fellowship here is “koinonia” which means that which is common to two or more; that of which they partake together.

And the idea is that in the sufferings to turn to what they shared in common through the Holy Spirit – and this definition is key.

Any group on earth can share in what is common among themselves – car enthusiasts, stamp collectors, sports fans.
There is huge koinonia in such things. But the key to what Paul is suggesting is to for them to seek “fellowship of the Spirit,” fellowship where the fruit of the Spirit is abundant, and flowing through all of those who are present.

This unity is different that the unity shared over common earthly interests – it is a unity founded on eternal principles and a unity that transcends the confines of our mortality. That is what makes it so beautiful and unique.

Because it is so valuable and unique it is also difficult in some respects to experience and achieve because in a group of 2 or more, the will and ways of the flesh always seem to want to creep in and manage what is happening through the Spirit. And when that happens the flesh takes over what could have been solely of Him.

But Paul here is soliciting for ANY fellowship of the Spirit to be present with them, ANY of these aforementioned things to be present, because they would add so much to His joy – and theirs.

Finally, in this verse he adds, “If any bowels and mercies,”

And we have noted that bowels in scripture does not refer to bowels means in our day, but the heart really – so any “heart or mercies.”

Which is just another way to emphasize to the believers that whatever was good and of God they should embrace and encourage it among themselves – (verse 2)

2 Fulfil ye my joy (which is a way of saying, complete my joy – as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ) that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

I am seeking for you all to “fill up my joy” (give me complete joy) so that nothing will be lacking in you relative to you being:

Likeminded
Having the same love
Being of one accord
Of one mind

All characteristics we discussed last week that were vital for the believers, the bride in that day as a means to survive and to be pure, and without spot or wrinkle.

Of course likeminded means that relative to Christ and the way to live for Him they were to think alike.

And “having the same love.”

This is an important line here because the love they were to have that was the same is agape love – and agape love is present, by definition, when there is a need for:

Patience
Kindness
Longsuffering
Temperance
Joy
Peace

And the like.

I say this because while Paul is exhorting them to be of the same mind, they were certainly going to have differences of opinions, and views, and perhaps even beliefs. We know this was true of them because of what Paul says relative to those who think nothing of eating meats sacrificed to idols and those who would be offended by it.

So even though he tells them to be of one mind, the addition of “and of the same love” shows that there would be differences among them because Agape love is exercised amidst differences. Get it?

This was the same advice he gave the believers at Corinth when he wrote to them:

1st Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Paul goes on and adds

“Being of one accord,”

This is a really unique request because the word Paul uses here – “SOOM-PHUCHOS” means on soul or having your souls joined together.

The word SOOM-PSUCHOS does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. And it is the presence of such a word that leads me to believe – at least it contributes to my belief – that those who are His, who are His Sons and Daughters – are a very different make-up today than those who simply fill the pews of a million churches.

I say this because to share in the same – SOOM PSUCHOS means to share the same drives, purposes, intent, will in life.
And in this case, the same mind and will is Christ!

He is the “soompsuchos” of those who are His and because of His being the common objective, they are able and more than willing to share this view between them and however it manifests itself.

This is a radical and really important use of a word in the New Testament and if there is application of the Word in our day this passage would be at the top.

It is what allows individuals believers, even those who are of completely different institutional approaches to Christ, to love each other, respect each other, and move together in love toward the common psuche that dwells within them.

Seek for this type of unity my friends – to share the same mind of Christ in you with any and all others who possess the same.

That koinonia, that unity, that fellowship, that love transcends all the walls and restrictive commands of men and literally moves us, while here in the flesh, into the realms of His Kingdom above.

Paul ends with “and of one mind.”

Which is really just him appealing to a variety of different expressions to say the same thing.

The word for mind here is different that the word for MIND typically used (nous) as it is (froneo) and it best means opinions.

One opinion.

He is shooting for the stars here but based on the requirements of the bride in that day, the presence of actual living first hand witness apostles and most importantly an abundance – a superabundance of the Holy Spirit working miracles and influencing believers like no other, perhaps this was possible.

If this description is viable today and must be present in the lives of all who are His by faith, to me then there has to be EITHER a denomination on earth that is able to accomplish these descriptions as they are presented – because that denomination would be the Bride Jesus is coming to take – or it is a body of believers around the globe who are connected by and through these attributes.

Remember too that in Rome, according to Paul’s letter to the church there, there were huge divisions and infighting among the Jewish converts and the Gentile. And because Paul was writing from a jail in Rome at the time, perhaps the importance of total unity of mind, heart, will, emotions, opinions was on his mind.

Whether this is true or not, one thing is for CERTAIN – absolutely certain – that when it came to the Apostolic Church at that time the single most important principle for them to maintain was a harmonious unity amidst each other – until He came to take her.

Nothing is stressed more to the collective group that this unity – nothing.

And interestingly enough, there is nothing so lacking in Christianity today than the same.

Unfortunately, instead of understanding that the complexion of the bride/church/body has changed in the age of fulfillment, men have sought to demand conformity as a means to create unity – and their demands have paradoxically lead to constant division!

Nonetheless, Paul continues to them/then and in the spirit of all that he has said, he adds more insights which even today continue to keep the body at peace, saying:

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

Paul is explicit in these instructions to them saying to “let NOTHING among them be done through “strife or vainglory.”

Nothing through contention or conceit or hollow pride. Of course the opposite of conceit and contention is??? That’s right, the fruit of the Spirit.

Let nothing be done through those fleshly things means that everything ought to be done through the opposite.

The reality is selfishness, self-centeredness, vanity, pride, conceit and all the other characteristics that abide in the flesh should be absent from the group of Saints. And what should be in its place?

“But in lowliness of mind.”

The word used here used is the same that is translate to “humility” in Acts 20:19; Colossians 2:18,23; and 1st Peter 5:5;
“humbleness” in Colossians 3:12; and “lowliness” in Ephesians 4:2 and Philippians 2:3.

Of course, it stands in opposition to pride which in groups often leads to people seeking to ascend over others and/or to seek for flattery, praise or committed allegiances.

Instead of pride, vainglory and the contention that it can create in a group setting, Paul now says:

But let each esteem the other “better than themselves.”

Last week I addressed the idea of humility in our meat gathering and with apologies to Ray and Dorothy who were in attendance, I think the principle of genuine humility, and how it is established in us ought to be quickly reiterated.

In a teaching about humbling oneself, Jesus ended it by saying:

11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

This principle is manifest throughout scripture and it almost seems like it is one of God’s goals to take humble men and ultimately exalt them and take self-promoting, arrogant proud people and debase them or bring them low.

Job 22:29 says

When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

Proverbs 29:23 reads, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

Again Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

The principle of humbling ourselves is all over the Tanakh including

Proverbs (18:12) Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

Proverb 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

In Isaiah 66:2 God says:

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

One verse later we read

Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

James 4:6 reads “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

And Peter wrote (in 1st Peter 5:5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The question, going back to what Jesus says in Luke chapter 11

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Is HOW or what is the process by which a person is able to authentically and genuinely humble themselves?

Not feigning humility, but honestly truly humble oneself so as to be exalted of the Lord in the future?

I say this because to humble oneself by the flesh is to assume ourselves AS better than others in the first place, making the decision an act of arrogance.

Is there a biblically based approach to humbling oneself that is based in humility – see that is the key.

I think there is. So let’s talk about them in what I see as somewhat of an order.

The process, if you will, of authenticated humility, begins with God – seeing who He genuinely is and then seeing who He is relative to who we are.

Let’s start with seeing God genuinely for who He is.

In Isaiah 46:9 God says:

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me”

Last week Danny pointed out that when he was an active Latter-day Saint that he saw God as a former man but when He became a Christians his view of God changed.

This realization is vital to our humility and contrition before Him – for He IS God, and there is none other.

He is eternal, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY – a spirit who cannot be approached in the flesh, a governor of the universe, the creator of everything from the microscopic and subatomic to the macro and massive.

He is all knowing and incapable of error or sin. To see Him in this light, or at least begin to see Him in this light is the beginning of wisdom, which would lead to the beginning of humility from the heart.

This view then leads us to the second tool that lends to unprefabricated humility – the honest examination of ourselves, our hearts, our will, our ways and our desires in the face of who He is.

We read in Job 6:24

“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.”

The Psalmist writes in 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

2nd Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1st Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Combining these two elements – that God is God and we are human beings, and after examining our heart of hearts in the face of our real views and secret desires, we come to a third realization posed by scripture – that almighty holy God is ALSO aware of the contents of our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

And the Psalmist wrote in 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

In the face of these facts a person cannot help but to discover their lofty towers of human arrogance crumbing to the dust from whence we came.

This then takes us to another level of humility which is the realization that anything good in us is the result of the power and spirit and love of God – that we truly do rely upon the LORD

Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.

This fact strips any sort of arrogance that can come about when we are in His service.

Because pride is so ubiquitous in the human heart, and so easily reproduced in us at every corner, the Lord has given us another device by which our pride and hubris will be put in check – the study of His Word.

That’s why it says in 2nd Timothy 3:15-16

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

When we couple the first items mentioned with a continued search and sojourn through the Word of God, pride is constantly challenged and genuine humility and contrition is the ultimate result.

I don’t know of a person who is seeking God that is not leveled through a close examination of the scripture in their lives – because the reveal the soul and secrets of our hearts.

And all of these things are central to what Paul is telling the believers at Philippi relative to how they are to relate and interact with each others – referring to our humbling ourselves before one another.

Paul writes in Galatians 6:1

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

He adds in 1st Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Romans 12:3 reads For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

And finally the admonition of 1st Thessalonians 5:11-14 which says:

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

(beat)

There is perhaps no other general trait that the LORD GOD loves more in His children then a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

And that is why Paul, getting back to our text for today write to them/then:

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

Bottom-line – refuse self-centered living. Do not become absorbed in your own concerns but consider the need and difficulties of others – for their welfare too.

Taking all of scripture in hand, however, this does NOT mean to become intrusive into the lives of others as Paul warns against people being what he calls busybodies. No, anything in scripture is seasoned with salt and taken reasonably in the Spirit of genuine love. And all of this advice launches us into a fantastic set of passages where Paul now says and summarizes:

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

Now, the main focus on the mind that Paul says should be in them, “which was also in Christ Jesus” speaks to humility -and again, for human beings to elect humility and contrition in this world, they are electing pain and suffering – because our flesh wants the opposite for itself – it wants to be glorified, honored, praised, recognized, respected, doted-on, adored, popular, powerful – and all the rest.

So Paul began by telling the believers then to avoid contentions and self-centeredness, and at this point returns to the topic of humility in general, and pulling Jesus into the mix now says:

But let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

There is no higher object or example that Paul could pull from than Christ Jesus – none more humble because none have ever had his bloodline or heavenly parentage.

Of course the thinking is, if Jesus our Lord and King could have this mind in Him (which Paul will lay out next for us) then certainly we too should find no reason not to adopt the same in us.

So, the indirect assumption of what Paul says next is the readers of this letter who were followers of Christ, ought to look to Him and His example and the mind that he maintained while on earth.

And what was this mind? We will cover these passages next week, but this is what Paul starts off by saying the mind of Christ was that the readers of His epistle should also have, and speaking of Christ says:

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

WHOOOOOOA NELLY!
We will continue with this – next week

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