The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 2: Verses 1-4)

Hello Friends!

During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 2: Verses 1-4)

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 – Philippians 2:1-4

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The concerted congregation of collected  “Christians” called from within the chided “city” limits in “Philippi” were greatly LOVED by the avid “Apostle Paul” and as he “wrote” to them. His thoughts and feelings had fared quite POSITIVE in nature and the practical “Philippians” had a very SPECIAL place in his “heart” just as “he” was held in theirs. There was a genuine inner love BOND born between this ardent “Apostle” and this choice “church” family found – BORN of the Spirit!

Chapter 2: The PATTERN for Christian living

Fellowship of the Spirit!

Here in these very PRACTICAL initial verses of chapter 2 is nestled a tremendous treatise for spiritual “unity” uniformly unified within the “church” body. Thus, the “Apostle Paul” begins this poignant “passage” carefully considering the tender HEARTS held within the “Philippian” fellowship: 

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies – Philippians 2:1

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Here “Paul” eagerly ENCOURAGES this precious flock of whom are Divinely drawn by the perfect POWERFUL conquest of “consolation in Christ” as a – “Paramuthion” in the Greek meaning to “offer a gentle cheer” – unto to one another. It takes tremendous effort to sufficiently – “Spoudaz” in the Greek meaning to “make every constant effort” – in aptly attaining this unique “unity” besetting “bond of peace” in which are essential to true “joy” and eager effectiveness for HIS great glory…

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all – Ephesians 4:1-6

This is a very powerful spiritual principle. WHY? Because it fervently focuses on overt OBEDIENCE unto a very personal relationship WITH our loving “Lord” Himself…

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them – John 17:20-26

When we “sin” it is NOT that we vividly VIOLATING a sordid system of religion or a torrid theme of theology or a credible creedal structure or an ornate organization of church hierarchy in kind… 

 I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest – Psalm 51:3-4

Rather, when we “sin” we are literally VIOLATING the intended INTIMACY of a real righteous relationship – WITH Jesus Christ!

Therefore, “Paul” contends that it is through their present PRACTICE of compassionate “comfort of love” and fervent “fellowship of the Spirit” that they are keenly KNIT tied totally together by the beautiful “bowels and mercies” and boldly “beseeched” in a holdened heart of great GRATITUDE towards “God” Almighty – Fellowship of the Spirit!

Be Likeminded!

At the very CENTER of this poignant “passage” lies the proclaimed phrase to "be likeminded" with an enormous EMPHASIS employed:

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

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Make your loving leaders themselves “joy” filled! That is a LEGITIMATE  plea of the “heart” harkened and “Paul's” aptly ardent APPEAL as such is very relational in nature…

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen – Hebrews 13:17-25

The phlegmatic “Philippians” keenly knew and lavishly loved the apt “Apostle” and he keenly knew and lavishly loved all of “them” in kind. There was an incredible BOND between “one another” captured in full. Thus “Paul” tugs at their HEART strings in all these cases, as EVERYTHING is rightly relational in this “written” record. Keep the unique UNITY of the “church” in check. WHY? Because our righteous relationship with our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” confidently CALLS for it. Our righteous relationship with the “Spirit” soundly CALLS for it. And our relationship with the “Pastor” completely CALLS for it. Therefore, this is “Paul’s” personal – Pastoral PLEA!

To "Fulfil “ the justified “joy” welling up within the admiring “Apostle Paul’s” very own “bowels” of a personal PASTOR pursuing the “same love” as in boldly “being of one accord” and in “one mind” for the GLORY of our great “God” Almighty – Be LIKEMINDED!  

Lowliness of Mind!

Sordid “strife” and vulgar “vainglory” are the main causes of most derived DIVISIONS from within the “church” body. Conversely, a loving “lowliness of mind” and a caring consideration of the “other” people as “better” will produce HARMONIOUS relationships::

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves – Philippians 2:3

HISTORICAL HINTS: Engulfing EGOTISM is the vehement “vainglory” intent on advancing itself and is directly driven by personal DESIRE of which is ALWAYS a deeply destructive and disruptive directive. Therefore, we START with the slaying of this greedy GIANT of seething “strife” surmised…

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. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“Now” we all MUST indeed allow “nothing” to cause “contentions” and “divisions” in our midst by rightly ridding ourselves of the pretentious PRIDE that is rankly rooted within our “sinful” sordid fallen “fleshly” fetishes. WHY? Because they makes “us” want our OWN way through personal ambition with the foolish focus on such antagonistic AGENDAS anticipated. Rather, “let” each of us “esteem others” as boldly “better than” ourselves  – Lowliness of Mind!

Others Minded!

Finally, “Paul” prescribes that FOCUSING upon the “things” directly related unto “others” is the keen KEY element to this entire poignant passage as the MAIN motivation of consummated “Christian” concerted CONDUCT considered:

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others – Philippians 2:4

The idea of the Greek verb to "look" used here is to readily regard as your CHIEF aim and sole GOAL pursued. It is quite apparent that “we” loosely live TODAY in a society where most people consistently care ONLY about their “own” primary personal interests. And although “we” do indeed NEED to be rightly responsible for the many matters of our “own” lives manifest, “we” must NOT merely be concerned with these “things” alone. Therefore, “Paul” purposely pleads with the precious “Philippians” prelates to NOT simply “look” in ready regards to their “own” personal PURPOSE in life, “but” rather “each” and “every man” ought to “also” completely consider the nigh NEEDS expressed by “others” as well – OTHERS Minded!

In closing:

There is a very obvious LACK of deep doctrinal exhortation in this excellent “epistle” exposition. WHY? Because there was apparently NO deviation from distinct DOCTRINE detected by the “Apostle Paul” directly. The “Philippians” had NOT gone astray in terms of their THEOLOGY themed. Thus, they did NOT need to be corrected as such. There was no IMMORALITY lurking within their “fellowship” of which is confronted in kind. This is truly a quality group of “God’s” people deeply devoted, constantly consistent and dedicated to doctrine dictates – MATURE Mandate!

However, in spite of ALL this surely sound expression there was lurking low within that choice “church” a very deceptively DEADLY satanic snake sneaking about with its poisonous venom to spread. WHAT? It was the slithering serpent of dark DISUNITY, deep DISCORD and dire DISSENT of which has poisoned many chided “churches” called throughout the beautiful “body of Christ” itself until THIS very day. And in all of “Paul's” expressions of “joy” and positively affirming characterizations of the “Philippian” fellowship, there remain these looming shadows of grave CONCREN to him. Therefore, he firmly frames this loving “letter” of lamentation – Letter of LOVE!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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