Philippians 2
Summary for Phil 2:1-11: 2:1-11 a In the midst of their persecution, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united and to live a humble life like Christ.Summary for Phil 2:1-2: 2:1-2 b Is there ... ? These rhetorical questions expect positive answers. Those who have a real experience of Christ should live together in harmony and love.
Summary for Phil 2:3-4: 2:3-4 c Don’t be selfish: Self-centeredness is antithetical to genuine care for others (cp. 2:20-21 d; 1 Cor 10:24 e; Gal 5:26 f).
Summary for Phil 2:6-11: 2:6-11 g This early Christian hymn is about Christ’s preexistence and divine nature, incarnation and death, exaltation and lordship. 2:6 h Though he was God: See John 1:1-3 i; 17:5 j; Col 1:15 k.
2:7 l he gave up his divine privileges (literally he emptied himself): The rest of 2:7-8 m explains this ultimate expression of divine self-denial (cp. 2 Cor 8:9 n).
• the humble position of a slave (or the form of a slave): Paul might have been thinking of Isa 52:13–53:12 o.
• and was born as a human: See John 1:14 p; 1 Tim 3:16 q.
2:8 r in obedience to God: It was God’s will that Jesus die for the sins of humanity (see Isa 53:7 s; Matt 26:39 t; John 3:16 u; 10:17-18 v; Rom 5:8 w, 19 x; 8:3 y; Heb 5:8 z; 1 Jn 4:9-10 aa, 14 ab).
• a criminal’s death on a cross: In the Roman Empire, crucifixion was a cruel and humiliating punishment for criminals.
2:9 ac As a result of Christ’s humble obedience, God elevated him to the place of highest honor; see Acts 1:9-10 ad; cp. Acts 2:32-33 ae; 7:55-56 af.
• the name above all other names: Jesus has supreme authority and power (Phil 2:10-11 ag; cp. Matt 28:18 ah; John 17:5 ai; Acts 2:33-36 aj; Heb 2:9 ak; 12:2 al).
Summary for Phil 2:10-11: 2:10-11 am The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10 an, 21 ao; Col 1:20-25 ap; 1 Pet 3:22 aq).
• every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23 ar; Rom 14:11 as): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion.
• Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.
Summary for Phil 2:12-18: 2:12-18 at Paul encourages believers to remain firm in their faith and to live faithful, obedient, and pure lives modeled after Christ. 2:12 au obeying God (see John 3:36 av; Rom 1:5 aw): Believers must reckon with God’s judgment like everyone else (cp. 1 Cor 3:10-13 ax), so they must live before him obediently, with deep reverence and fear.
2:13 ay For God is working in you: God empowers and energizes believers’ lives (see John 15:5 az; 1 Cor 12:6 ba; 15:10 bb; 2 Cor 3:5 bc; 1 Thes 2:13 bd). Both the desire and the power to do what pleases him come from God.
2:14 be Complaining and arguing arise from self-centeredness (see 1 Cor 10:10 bf; 1 Pet 4:9 bg; Jude 1:16 bh), whereas believers are called to sacrificial love (Phil 2:4 bi).
2:15 bj shining like bright lights: Believers are to draw people to God by their lives (see Matt 5:13-16 bk).
• in a world full of crooked and perverse people: See Deut 32:5 bl; Rom 1:18-32 bm; 3:10-23 bn.
2:16 bo Hold firmly to the word of life: Believers must maintain their faith in Christ’s life-giving Good News. God is faithful, but they, too, must remain faithful (1:6 bp; 2:12-13 bq).
• run the race: Paul frequently uses athletic language as a metaphor for the Christian life (see 3:12-14 br; 1 Cor 9:24 bs, 26 bt; Gal 2:2 bu; 5:7 bv; 2 Tim 4:7 bw).
Summary for Phil 2:17-18: 2:17-18 bx I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God: Both Jews and pagans often poured out a libation of wine either on a sacrifice or at the base of the altar in honor of the deity. Paul’s entire life was an offering to God (cp. Rom 12:1 by; 15:16 bz).
• Faithful service is a cause for rejoicing, because nothing done for God is in vain (see 1 Cor 15:58 ca).
Summary for Phil 2:19-24: 2:19-24 cb Paul commends Timothy, whom he hopes to send to the Philippians in the near future. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his first trip to Philippi (see Acts 16:1-3 cc, 12 cd; 17:15 ce; 18:5 cf; cp. Acts 19:22 cg). Timothy stood out as a person whose whole life was sacrificially devoted to what matters to Jesus Christ and to the welfare of his people.
2:23 ch What is going to happen to me here possibly refers to the outcome of Paul’s trial.
2:24 ci Paul had confidence that he would soon be freed from prison and be able to visit the Philippians (see 1:19 cj, 25-26 ck).
Summary for Phil 2:25-30: 2:25-30 cl Paul commends Epaphroditus (see also 4:18 cm), a messenger from the church at Philippi whom he was now sending back to them, perhaps carrying this letter.
• The description fellow soldier suggests the difficulties, opposition, and dangers encountered in Christ’s work.
2:27 cn Epaphroditus’s recovery from a nearly fatal illness is attributed to God’s mercy, both on Epaphroditus and on Paul, who was already suffering in prison.
Summary for Phil 2:29-30: 2:29-30 co Epaphroditus deserved their honor, for he risked his life for Christ on their behalf (for the importance of showing honor, cp. Rom 10:12 cp; 13:7 cq; Eph 5:33 cr; 6:2 cs; 1 Tim 5:17 ct; 6:1 cu; 1 Pet 2:17 cv; 3:7 cw).
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