Philippians 2:12-18
Summary for Phil 2:12-18: 2:12-18 a Paul encourages believers to remain firm in their faith and to live faithful, obedient, and pure lives modeled after Christ. 2:12 b obeying God (see John 3:36 c; Rom 1:5 d): Believers must reckon with God’s judgment like everyone else (cp. 1 Cor 3:10-13 e), so they must live before him obediently, with deep reverence and fear.2:13 f For God is working in you: God empowers and energizes believers’ lives (see John 15:5 g; 1 Cor 12:6 h; 15:10 i; 2 Cor 3:5 j; 1 Thes 2:13 k). Both the desire and the power to do what pleases him come from God.
2:14 l Complaining and arguing arise from self-centeredness (see 1 Cor 10:10 m; 1 Pet 4:9 n; Jude 1:16 o), whereas believers are called to sacrificial love (Phil 2:4 p).
2:15 q shining like bright lights: Believers are to draw people to God by their lives (see Matt 5:13-16 r).
• in a world full of crooked and perverse people: See Deut 32:5 s; Rom 1:18-32 t; 3:10-23 u.
2:16 v 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 w; 2:12-13 x).
• run the race: Paul frequently uses athletic language as a metaphor for the Christian life (see 3:12-14 y; 1 Cor 9:24 z, 26 aa; Gal 2:2 ab; 5:7 ac; 2 Tim 4:7 ad).
Summary for Phil 2:17-18: 2:17-18 ae 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 af; 15:16 ag).
• Faithful service is a cause for rejoicing, because nothing done for God is in vain (see 1 Cor 15:58 ah).
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