The Epistles · Chapter 2 of 4

Philippians 2

Paul calls the Philippians to unity through humility, having the mind of Christ. Christ, though in the form of God, emptied himself, took a servant's form, and became obedient to death on a cross; therefore God exalted him and gave him the name above every name. Believers are to work out their salvation as God works in them, shining as lights. Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of selfless service.

What happens in Philippians 2

Paul appeals for the Philippians' unity, asking them to be like-minded, doing nothing from strife or vainglory but in humility esteeming others better than themselves and looking to others' interests. He grounds this in the mind of Christ, then unfolds one of Scripture's greatest passages: Christ, being in the form of God, did not grasp equality with God but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, becoming human, and humbling himself to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name, that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Father's glory.

Paul urges them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, since God works in them to will and to do. They are to do all without murmuring, shining as lights in a crooked world, holding forth the word of life. He then commends Timothy, who genuinely cares for them, and Epaphroditus, who nearly died for the work of Christ, asking that he be received with joy.

Philippians 2 in context

Philippians is Paul's warmest letter, written from prison to a beloved church, radiant with joy amid suffering. A note of disunity had crept in, and Paul addresses it not with rebuke but with the example of Christ.

The famous hymn of Christ's humbling and exaltation in verses 6 through 11 anchors his appeal, showing that the path to true greatness runs through self-emptying service.

Main themes of Philippians 2

Philippians 2 (KJV)

1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. 22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. 23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Verses to carry from Philippians 2

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”Philippians 2:5

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”Philippians 2:8

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”Philippians 2:10

Reflection

When you feel the pull to insist on your own way, let this chapter reset your mind. The Lord of all did not grasp his rights but poured himself out. His exaltation shows that God honors humble obedience. Look today for one concrete way to count someone else's interests as more important than your own.

A prayer from Philippians 2