Philippians
Lesson 2
Phil. 2:1-30
Introduction:
Paul considered the Philippians his partners in ministry because they had received him well when he first visited the city in Acts 16; and since that time, they continued to support him and pray for him. Paul wrote to the church to update them on his condition. He was awaiting trial, but the gospel was being preached among the guards and throughout the city. Paul also encourages the church to live lives worthy of the gospel. They do this by being of one mind and one spirit.
I. What is Paul’s Christology?
a) Christology is a term that generally means, the study of Christ. However, beyond just the study it references ones understanding of who Christ is (his person) and the work that Christ did. For our purposes today, Paul’s Christology is found in 2:5-11; often referred to in Latin as the Carmen Christi (Hymn of Christ). “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
b) Paul has an exalted or high Christology; meaning that in v. 6, Christ was in the beginning equal with God, but in v 7, emptied himself. Emptied is an important word here because it means that he gave up (emptied) everything that made him equal with God; everything that made him exalted. He emptied himself (and I should say here that his emptying was voluntary; he was not forced or compelled to do so) and reading from the NRSV, it says that he took the form of a slave. This references his becoming human (like us), but the word slave signifies how low he became from being exalted. He humbled himself to the point of being a slave (the lowest status of a person in Paul’s society). This is who Paul see’s Christ to be (his person).
c) Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross (v. 8). This is his work; death in order to bring salvation. Because of his obedience he is highly exalted again and given a name which is above every name (v. 9).
II. How should we live?
a) Notice the section on Christology begins in v. 5 where Paul says, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” The mind of Jesus is exhibited both in his person and in his work. In this, Paul advises us….
b) “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others (vs. 3-4).” Christ exhibited this in the way that he both emptied himself and humbled himself.
c) “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world (vs. 14-15).” In humbling himself, Christ voluntarily emptied himself; he didn’t murmurer or argue. Our possessing the qualities of vs. 3-4, and 14 are important to our witness of Christ. We are to present ourselves as “blameless and innocent, children of God…;” who live in the midst of a “crooked and perverse generation…” If we are able to do this, then we will “shine like stars in the world.”
III. Who is Epaphroditus?
a) In v. 25, Paul says that he is sending Epaphroditus to them; “…my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need.” Epaphroditus was part of the Philippian church. It doesn’t say, but Paul must have met him in Acts 16, and Epaphroditus became Paul’s “brother, coworker and fellow soldier.” His name is only mentioned in Philippians, so this shows his connection to the church.
b) As we previously said, Paul was under house arrest, but Epaphroditus had visited Paul, showing that he was free to move about the grounds and to have visitors. “…as your messenger and minister to my need” suggests that the church had sent him to Paul. Their sending Epaphroditus is one of the ways that the church had partnered with Paul (1:7).
c) Epaphroditus was gravely ill – either in traveling to Paul or while he visited with Paul – and the church had learned of his condition (vs. 26-27). He had recovered from his illness and Paul was sending him back to the church so that they could rejoice in his recovery (v. 28). He had “risked his life (v. 30)” in fulfilling the service that the church had sent him to Paul to perform.
Next Week: Phil. 3:1-21
Questions for the week:
1. Who are the dogs?
2. How should we know Christ?
3. What should be our goal?