Philippians 1:27–2:4 — Gospel-worthy conduct
27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life
worthy of the gospel of Christ. (adverbial - how to live)
Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you (purpose)
that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord,
contending together for the faith of the gospel,
Just one thing - monos - used to focus your attention
Live your life - present middle (do this to yourself now and continually) - conduct yourself
Has the idea of citizenship in the word. The translators added "as citizens of heaven" to translate the word. In our understanding, think of it as believers are members of a community, but also like residence of a city. Paul would have thought of his citizenship in Rome with this word.
Normally, Paul uses the word for "walk" to describe the Christian life.
Worthy - in a manner fitting of the Gospel of Christ - this is emphasized in the GK.
Paul is calling them to right living and Christian Unity
Worthy - in a manner fitting,
We don’t walk worthy so that God will love us, but because He does love us.
As we understand how much God did for us, we will naturally want to serve and obey Him out of gratitude.
I come - aorist active participle -
Absent - present active participle.
Hear - present active subjunctive - it's not guaranteed and hasn't happened. Receive news
Standing firm - present active indicative - continue to be - this is military term
Eph 6:13 - For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
One accord - as one, speaks of the unity
One spirit - not the HS. The reference is to the persons spirit and soul. The immaterial part of who you are.
Contending together - striving together as one (syn preposition)
The Philippians striving together. Word is used in athletic events. Standing firm and contending go together.
It does little good for a team member to strive if he isn't in line with the team. Teamwork makes the dreamwork.
28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. (contrast)
This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. (reason - contrast)
Frightened - present passive participle - be afraid, be intimidated
Used to describe a startled horse. Think cowboy movies when the horse sees a rattlesnake.
In any way (the manner of the frightening)
By your opponents (the means of the frightening)
Opponents - to lie opposite, hostile toward
Any preacher who attacks evil will have opposition. (Expand your thinking past speaking out against abortion, think speaking out against the bad attitudes and behaviors in church; preferences, factions, gossip. Look at how people become opponents. Nathan Dunman's most recent issue).
Is - be verb - present active
Sign - proof, pointing out, a demonstration of proof
Romans 3:25
2 Cor 8:24
Their standing together is the sign.
Two fold sign - confrontation to the non-believers; confirmation to the believers.
Standing firm in adversity was proof of their relationship with God
Hidden strength.
Destruction - destruction, waste, annihilation
Salvation - deliverance
Lightfoot sees this - a connection with the contending athletic competition or a gladiator, the thumbs up or down from the fickle crowd or Ceasar (remember Gladiator), but God has the thumb and it is up for your salvation.
Which way? Standing firm in one spirit, contending for the faith, not being afraid?
Which way? Standing firm in the spirit; contending for the faith, not being afraid.
The world must see a united front defending and proclaiming the gospel. No longer would divided motives of love and selfishness do. The church must face the world in one spirit. A fearless, unified church will astound the world. They will see the truth of the gospel. Opposing the gospel, the world faces God’s destruction. Proclaiming the gospel, the church waits for God’s salvation. Anders, Max. Galatians-Colossians. Vol. 8. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
ii. When Christians stand strong against intimidation, against the world, the flesh and the devil, it shows those spiritual enemies that their ultimate destruction is certain.
iii. When our spiritual enemies fail to make us afraid, they have failed completely because they really have no other weapon than fear and intimidation.
iv. When we fail to be not in any way terrified by our adversaries, we give “hope” and “confidence” to our spiritual enemies, even though it is a false hope and confidence because their destruction is still assured.
29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf (reason)
not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, (contrast)
30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have. (reason)
Granted - aorist passive - give generously - a version of "charis" show favor
Behalf - for His sake
Believe but also to suffer
Suffer - present active infinitive - undergo an experience, be acted on, suffer
Struggle - fight, foot race, contest
Engaged - present active indicative - echo - have
Saw - perceived
Hear - heard the news
The conflict of the Philippians concerned the difficulty of walking right with the Lord and proclaiming the gospel when persecuted and under attack.
Phil 2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, (conditional)(therefore - conclusion)
if any consolation of love, (conditional)
if any fellowship with the Spirit, (conditional)
if any affection and mercy, (conditional)
If - condition of the first class - assumes it is true.
Encouragement - paraklesis come alongside, come to one's aid, (paraklete)
In Christ - by his example in His suffering and conflicts
Consolation - advise, encourage, console
Of love - this is an encouraging word, a persuasion, an incentive
Fellowship - koinonia - sharing in common
With the Spirit - communion with the Holy Spirit (think fruits of the Spirit with this)
Affection - splanctnon - guts, emotions, inward parts, tender feelings
AND
Mercy - compassion, pity
Each of these gifts – consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection and mercy – are communicated to us both in a direct, spiritual way from Jesus, and from Jesus through His people. But there isn’t any doubt that these are real gifts for Christians to really experience.
The blessing of living in Christian Community
Do we have to live in the same house - Gene Edwards The First Church.
We felt a lot of this with ODM, in Bellevue when you see believers everywhere (you have to know a lot0, in Glenwood since the pastors have gotten together.
Older believers were discipled in a different culture/world. Theirs was a faith generally accepted by all, they attended church three times per week for worship, bible study, and prayer. (it looked different than now). They took care of their building, the invited people to church, had programs for everything; Sunday School, RA's, WMU, Brotherhood, Training Union, etc. The older saints are still working this way but the framework is largely gone. Also, as with anything, framework became the focus and the efforts are in maintaining what's left.
2 make my joy complete
by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
united in spirit,
intent on one purpose.
Complete - aorist active imperative - pleroo - full - you make my joy/delight full.
Thinking - phroneo - attitude, ponder, hold a view
Like-minded is used 10 times in Philippians and 23 times in Paul's letters.
Having - present active particple - now and continually
Love - agape
United - united in spirit (one word with the syn preposition). Harmonious, of one mind, (not Holy Spirit). Souls that beat together, in tune with Christ and one another. Word combo is only here in the Bible.
Intent - present active - phroneo (like thinking) - set on minds to, have an attitude, ponder, have a view
One purpose - literaly "one"
In tune with one another in ideas, in feelings, etc.
Paul is not calling for people to dress the same, approve the same stuff and hate the same stuff. This is about unity of the mind, the same values and same loves.
V1 - the blessings in Christ
V2 - responsibility to Paul - make my joy filled.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. (contrast)
Out of - in reference to, the motivator - used twice (but in)
Selfish ambition - hostility, rivalry, ambition
Conceit - pride without proper basis
Humility - lowliness of mind
Consider - present passive participle - be of the opinion
Others more important - hold above, surpassing in value
Three expressions of unity
Same outlook - v2
Humility
consideration
4 Everyone should look not to his own interests,
but rather to the interests of others. (contrast)
Should look - present active - skopeo - notice carefully, watch out for, fixing your attention on
Others - not you
First, maybe we are looking at other's spiritual growth and seeing if we have it and are growing together
Second, maybe it's about their needs and struggles
Third, maybe it's about NOT getting our way.
The thing that interrupts unity is selfishness; someone wanting their way.
Comments