The Book of Philippians- Part 2

The Apostle Paul centers his writing on the believer’s need to remain resolute amid great suffering. The theme of his message centers on the joy found in Christ in all things. Last week, the focus was on how steadfastness encourages us to endure. Today, we will focus on how to think like Christ (The Way of Humility).

Our purpose is to live for Christ, and in understanding that purpose, we can better understand how we are to accomplish/actualize that purpose.  The way to live like Christ is to see things the way in which Christ sees it, and we can see things the way in which He sees things because He has provided access for us to do so in a “positional” sense. Meaning, because He has saved us and reconciled us to the Father, we have been enabled to walk, live and respond like Him by the Spirit. This reality is realized through what He alone accomplished in His death, resurrection, ascension and glorification.

We move into Chapter 2 where we will learn how to think like Christ. It’s one thing to be in Him, but it’s a whole other thing to think like Him. This goal is achieved when we learn to put on the mind of Christ and abandon the mindset of our “old man” (sin nature).

Philippians 2:1- Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, Philippians 2:2- make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philippians 2:3- Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:4- do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Paul begins this section of the text with the transitioning word, “Therefore.” For any bible student, you should always ask the question, what does “therefore” mean within the text? Paul is connecting his previous statements with these “if” clauses in verse 1 as he continues this singular thought, and that thought begins in verses 27-30 of Philippians 1. It’s in those preceding verses that Paul summarized how the life of the believer should be reflective of the grace demonstrated towards the believer.

Note: Christ has made this life available to you by way of His service, by grace; we should live in such a way that brings attention to that great grace which brings Him glory. So, it’s His grace that provides the believer the ability to live “in a manner worthy of Christ,” because we have been justified through His work!

You might recall, the phrase “conduct yourself in a manner worthy” is one word in Greek which means to “live like a citizen.” This citizenship has moved us from death to life and provides us with a new outlook and mind which is fully realized in Christ. However, as Paul’s letter brings to light, there seems to have been some issues within the church of Philippi which warranted correction. One of the issues that has been raised is this issue of humility and unity within the body. This internal schism is personally addressed by Paul in Philippians 4:2, (Euodia and Syntyche). In the meantime, Paul is going to remind them that because we are in Christ our motives and mind-set should be Christ-focused and not self-focused.

Paul transitions from the previous statement in verses 27-30 into verse 1 with the believers’ “positional reality” in Christ. He tells the Philippians in verse 1, that because you are in Christ and have encountered this gracious gift by which you are a new creation, live according to what you have received! Paul makes this point through the use of these “if” clauses. Notice that Paul uses the word “if” four times in verse 1 alone. This “if” clause is in what is known as a first-class condition which simply means that Paul’s use of the word assumes each statement is true. Plainly put, all these things in verse 1 are fully yours and possible, because you are in Christ. So, another way to read verse 1 would be: “Therefore, [because you have] encouragement being united in Christ, [because you have] comfort from His love, [because you have] common sharing in the Spirit, and [because you have] affection and compassion in Christ…make my joy complete…”

Note: Paul is saying that there is no room for the believer to respond in arrogance, pride, dissension or with a lack of humility toward one another. Because you are saved, you should function in unity amongst one another and in submission to Christ in your behavior. The reality is, these things would be impossible to accomplish if we were not saved, because we were dead in our sin. Prior to coming to Christ, we had no desire to live in such a way! It’s this grace-oriented reality that makes possible the ability for the believer to be grounded in Christian unity, joy, humility, and submission. Paul says in verse 2, “make my joy complete” by doing, meaning “walk in this way”. Plainly put, your living well in Christ will bring me (Paul) great joy in the process. Paul mentions that his joy would be made complete when the Philippians pursued the following descriptions that they positionally possessed:

1. Being of the same mind (to be one in intent and disposition – single-mindedness)

2. Maintain the same love (the agape self-sacrificial love that Christ showed)

3. United in Spirit (literally, one-souled)

4. Intent on one purpose (having our lives directed toward a single aim). Being of the same mind is much more than simply thinking in general, rather it is setting our mind to think similarly. Within the original language the phrase “being of the same mind” is autos phroneo. Autos meaning “same,” Phroneo meaning “setting one’s mind to.” Paul is saying may your thinking be in complete alignment with Christ and not your flesh.