Philippians 2:1-4

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Scripture Philippians 2:1-5
Devotion:
            So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.[1]
            “Paul begins this chapter with a call to unity in Christ for the Philippians church. The reality of our oneness in Christ is based on being encouraged by:
1.   comfort from his love
2.   fellowship with the Spirit
3.   tenderness and compassion[2]”

      Paul instructs his readers to “make my joy complete by

“1. being like-minded
2.   having the same love
3.   being one in spirit and purpose”[3]
           
            These are to be viewed as normal sentiments for the Christian. By being united in Christ in these areas’ believers can work together for the same goal. Showing forth the love of Christ to a waiting world. Having set forth the positive way for believers to behave toward each other. In verse 3 Paul gives us negatives to avoid.
            He tells the church to avoid selfish ambition or conceit. Such things should not even be named among Christians. Then positively he tells them to show humility. Thinking not more highly of oneself than one thinks of others.
“Christ’s humility is the standard for evaluating the worth of others and actions toward them. This does not mean that personal concerns should be overlooked. Elsewhere Paul clearly stated that Christians must take care of their own affairs as an act of love for the congregation”[4]
Paul continues that thought in the next verse tells us to specifically to look out for the interests of others. This set of verses contains some very important lessons for our world right now. If we each will do what is best for others and ourselves, we can end the threat of this new virus sooner than if we acted purely selfishly.
“A way to unity, then, is watching to see how God works in others the qualities he desires in everyone. The focus shifts to others rather than personal spiritual qualities. The interpretation is attractive. It answers the problem of self-centeredness and false glory. It also does not relieve Christians of an obligation to care for their own things. It expresses the dynamics of church relationships and fits the example of Christ. In reading the text, however, it seems that Paul had more in mind. A natural reading suggests a broader reference point than merely spiritual qualities. Any concerns of others were to become the concerns of all! The Philippians were to imitate Christ, and it seems unlikely that Christ focused on the good spiritual qualities of the people for whom he left heaven. He died in spite of the fact that they were not spiritually attractive.[5]”

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 2:1–4.
[2] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 224.
[3] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 224.
[4] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 95.
[5] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 95.

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