College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Philippians 2:1-18
Outline of 1:27-2:18
D.
Exhortation to a worthy manner of life; Philippians 1:27-30; Philippians 2:1-18
1.
Plea for steadfast striving; Philippians 1:27-30
a.
Do this whether I come or be absent.
b.
Stand fast in one spirit.
c.
Do not be affrighted by adversaries; Philippians 1:28-30.
(1)
This is to them a token of perdition.
(2)
This is to you a token of salvation.
(3)
Follow my example in this.
2.
Plea for unity and humility; Philippians 2:1-4
a.
Motives for unity; Philippians 2:1-2 a
b.
Attitudes and actions of those in unity; Philippians 2:2-4
3.
The example of Christ; Philippians 2:5-11
a.
He did not grasp his original state; Philippians 2:5-6
b.
He became an obedient servant; Philippians 2:7-8
c.
Honors that Christ received because of his obedience.
(1)
Exaltation;
(2)
A name above every name.
(3)
Universal submission to him; Philippians 2:10-11
4.
Commands; Philippians 2:12-18
a.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; Philippians 2:12-13
(1)
Do this whether I am present or absent.
(2)
God is working in you; Philippians 2:13
b.
Do all things without murmurings; Philippians 2:14-15
PurposesThat ye become blameless and harmless,
That ye become children of God without blemish.
c.
Hold forth the word of life; Philippians 2:16
d.
Paul's place in their worthy life; Philippians 2:17
A drink-offering poured out upon their service.
e.
Rejoice. Philippians 2:18
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27. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
Translation and Paraphrase
27. Only live as citizens (of God's kingdom) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or am absent, I may hear the news concerning you, that you (plural) stand fast with one (united) spirit, with one soul striving together (like athletes in training) for the faith (which is) the gospel.
Notes
1.
While the Philippians were to glory in the progress and joy of their faith, they needed to take care that their lives were worthy of the gospel (or good news) of Christ. Worthy means of equal weight or value.
2.
There is a figure of speech in Philippians 1:27 which is not apparent in the English translation. When Paul said, Let your manner of life (KJV conversation) be worthy, he was literally saying, Behave as citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel. The Greek verb politeuo means to be a citizen, or exercise your citizenship. The metaphor of heavenly citizenship is found again in Philippians 3:20.
3.
Paul exhorts them not to allow their faith to fluctuate with his circumstances or presence. Live lives worthy of the gospel whether he is present or not.
4.
The Philippians should stand fast in one spirit, that is, in one disposition, one frame of mind. The word spirit here probably has no direct reference to the Holy Spirit, but to their own spirits, which would, of course, be under the control of the Holy Spirit.
It is very important that Christians stand fast in what they believe, and in their determination to live according to this belief. Compare Ephesians 6:11; Ephesians 6:13-14.
5.
The expression with one soul probably means with one mind or feeling. It seems to be nearly an exact synonym of -in one spirit. The collective soul of the whole group was to be ONE soul, one mind. Compare Acts 4:32.
6.
The Philippians were to be striving for the faith of the gospel. Striving (Gr. sunathleo) means striving together. The figure refers both to athletic games and to contending in battle. The Christian life requires effort, and discipline, and exertion.
7.
Our striving is to be done for the faith, or in the faith (a dative of interest). There are many good causes in this world, but the striving of Christians is to be exerted for the faith.
8.
The Faith of the gospel. The faith is the gospel. (It is a genitive of apposition.) The faith is the full sum of what we believe and practice, as revealed by Christ.
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28. and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;
Translation and Paraphrase
28. And be frightened by nothing (which may be done) by the opposers. (Your boldness will make an impression on them, as being) and evidence of (their impending) destruction; But (on the other hand your boldness in the face of opposition will to you be an evidence) of your salvation, and (that) this (salvation is) from God (himself).
Notes
1.
1:28 elaborates the command in Philippians 1:27 to stand fast. Two participial phrases expand this idea of standing fast: We stand fast (1) striving together; and (2) being frightened in nothing by the adversaries.
2.
Generally the adversaries of the gospel would rather frighten us from our faith and Christian work, than try to convince us logically that we are wrong, or physically prevent us from serving Christ. Those who are frightened by threats are defeated before the battle ever starts. Christians in many lands today face threats of loss of jobs or other troubles. Be frightened by nothing.
3.
The boldness of Christians in the face of threats and persecutions is for the unbeliever an evident token of perdition, a plain sign that they face destruction by God. Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Perdition means destruction, or ruin, and refers to the punishment of hell.
When persecuting unbelievers see Christians boldly continuing in their faith in spite of threats and harm, they instinctively feel, If this Christian faith means so much to these people, there must be something to it after all. And if there is something to it, then I-'m on the wrong side, and God will surely punish me for fighting against the truth. Paul seems to have felt that way before his conversion. Compare Acts 26:14; Acts 22:19-20.
4.
Whereas the boldness of Christians is to sinners an evident token of destruction, it is at the same time an evident token (a plain indication) of salvation to Christians. When Christians experience trouble victoriously, they sense that the power to endure came from outside of them, from God, and not from their own puny will power or strength of character.
Also the boldness of Christians serves as an evident token of salvation in that it fulfills the words of Christ to us that we both shall suffer, and that He will help us at such times. See Luke 12:11-12.
5.
The expression and that from God refers back to the word salvation. We have not merely a token of salvation, but a token of salvation which comes from God.
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29. because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: 30. having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Translation and Paraphrase
29. (Do not think that your sufferings indicate that you are not saved,) because it has been gracious granted to you to suffer on behalf of Christ, and not (merely) to believe upon him. (The privilege of suffering for Christ is a gift from him to you.)
30. (You shall be) having the same struggle (and agony) which ye saw was in my life, and now hear is my lot.
Notes
1.
1:29 enlarges on the idea expressed in Philippians 1:28 that the boldness of Christians is a plain indication to them of salvation. This is true because Christ has granted to us the privilege of suffering for Him as well as believing on him. The fact that we suffer confirms the truth of his words and confirms that we are His.
2.
The word granted (KJV given) in Philippians 1:28 means to grant as a favor, or bestow graciously. How seldom do those who suffer look upon this as a gracious grant! But the early Christians so viewed it. Acts 5:41.
3.
The troubles of the Philippians were like those that they had observed Paul to experience, and like those which they now heard that Paul was enduring. This fact doubtless strengthened their backbone, and took away their self-pity.
The word conflict in Philippians 1:30 is from the Greek agonia, from which we get our word agony. It refers to painful types of struggle and to extreme mental anguish.