Philippians 2
The word “if” occurs four times in verse 1. Each “if” deals with a motivation for unity.
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Chapter 2
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion – The word “if” means “since”. “Encouragement” is paraklesis. Jesus used a form of the same word when he spoke of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete) as the Counselor or Comforter or Encourager (John 14:16).
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose – “like-minded” – the same mind (the mind of Christ).
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others – Cf. Rom 12:3,10.
The Kenosis Passage – Vs 5-8
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus – “attitude” phroneō is translated in verse two as “like-minded”. “to exercise the mind.”
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped – “being” huparchein, “describes that which a man is in his very essence and which cannot be changed.” (Barclay) “Nature” is the Greek word morphē - outward manifestation of an inner reality. The word “grasped” harpagmos – to plunder or rob.
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness – made himself nothing – ekenosen – “empty.” = He emptied Himself. Jesus was not 50% God and 50% man. He was 100% deity and 100% humanity.
“In sum: In Christ Jesus God as this shown his true nature; this is what it means for Christ to be equal with God-to pour Himself out for the sake of others and to do so by taking the role of a slave. Hereby He not only reveals the character of God, but from the perspective of the present context also reveals what it means for us to be created in God’s image, to bear His likeness and have His “mindset.” It means taking the role of the slave for the sake of others..” Gordon D. Fee
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! – Crucifixion was such a shameful death that it was not permitted for Roman citizens (such as the people of Philippi). The Jews considered anyone crucified to be cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13). In Roman society, the word cross was considered an obscenity. When someone was sentence to crucifixion, they used an archaic formula so as not to pronounce the Latin word crux (F.F. Bruce.)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Cf. Isaiah 45:23-24
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling – Fear is the Greek word phobos, ( English – phobia) which means fear as well as reverence (cf. Matt. 14:26; Luke 21:26; 1 Cor. 2:3) (cf. Acts 2:43; 9:31; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1). Trembling is from tromos, which refers to shaking and is the word from which the English word tremor comes from. Cf. Isaiah 66:2.
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose – “works” energeō – energy.
17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you – The drink offering was an important part of the Jewish sacrificial system. (cf. Lev. 23:18, 37; 2 Kings 16:10–16; Jer. 7:18; Hos. 9:4).
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs – Epaphroditus means “belonging to,” or “favored by Aphrodite.”
30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me – Risking parabouleuomai his life means literally “to throw aside” And was a gambling term.
“Soon after New Testament times, a group of Christians banded together in an association they called Parabolani, which means “The Gamblers.” Taking Epaphroditus as their model, they visited prisoners and ministered to the sick, especially those with dangerous communicable diseases whom no one else would help. They boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they went…. When the city of Carthage, on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, suffered a severe plague in A.D. 252, the pagan inhabitants were so frightened of contagion that they refused to touch the dead bodies even to bury them. Cyprian, bishop of the church there, led the Christians in the arduous and dangerous task of ministering to the sick and dying and of burying the thousands of corpses. The spiritual influence of that silent but powerful testimony on their unbelieving and formerly hostile neighbors doubtless was immeasurable” (William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians [rev. ed., Louisville, Ky.: Westminster, 1975], 50).
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