The Strand Study Bible

Written From Rome During Paul’s First Roman Imprisonment

PHILIPPIANS

1983

3. If any fellowship of the Spirit This word ( fellowship ) is the Greek word NοLQZQLD ( koinonia ) and means “ communion; sharing in common (koinos); joint partnering .” What Paul is saying here is, as believers, if we are going to work together for the glory of God, then we are going to have to be able to work with each other, like Jesus works with us (Acts 9:26), instead of working against each other (I Cor 12:12-26). Why? Because we all have the same Co-Laborer (Spirit – Jn 15:26); the same Partner living and working through us for the same purpose. 4. If any bowels and mercies This word ( bowels ) is the Greek word σSODJFQD ( splagchna ) and denotes the physical organs of the intestines. In this case, however, Paul is referring to our “ gut yearnings ” concerning others who are in distress. It is the same word translated “moved with compassion” in Matthew 9:36. What Paul is saying here is, as believers, if we are going to work together for the glory of God, then we are going to have yearn over each other (Rom 12:15), like Jesus yearns over us (Mt 23:37). Why? Because we all have the same Lecturer (teacher; Spirit); the same Teacher who hurts for us as we hurt (Rom 8:15-26). NOTE - If we, as believers, are to make an impact on the Kingdom, then we are going to have to be like-minded on what unites us, which is the same Lawyer, the same Lover, the same Co-laborer, and the same Lecturer. If G O D can work with us, why can’t we work with each other; when are we going to learn to love each other despite each other? 2:4 What Paul is saying here is to live like Jesus lived – for others. Paul said in essence, “Let’s serve the One who first served us by serving others” ( the things of others ). 2:5 Paul knew that if he didn’t learn to give God his mind on a daily basis (Rom 12:1-2, II Cor 4:16, Eph 4:22-24 and Colo 3:9-10) that he would end up giving his mind over to one of three other sources: (1) the Devil (II Cor 4:3-4 & 11:3 and I Pet 5:8); (2) the world (Rom 12:2 & Jms 4:4 and I Jn 2:15-17); or (3) the flesh (Rom 8:6-8 and Jms 1:15). Of the three, the flesh will always be the most dangerous enemy you will ever face (Rev 19:19-20:10 and Jere 4:7 ). Martin Luther once noted: I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. 1 Those who learn to allow the Word of God (the mind of Christ) to govern their lives, on a daily basis, will experience two things: Job said in Job 32:21-22: “ Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles ; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” Jesus left His “rank” (His status and position) and His flattering title of “Second Person of the Triune Godhead” ( Who, being in the form of God ) back in Heaven when He came to earth in order to save mankind. He, who unalterably is unalterably God, encourages us to do the same (Lk 14:7-14). Whenever you worry about becoming “somebody” you’ve lost your train of thought as a Christian (Mt 20:20-28). 2. His thoughts concerning “reputation” (vs 7) Jesus said in Matthew 20:28: “ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister , and to give his life a ransom for many .” Jesus left His “reputation” (His privileges as God) back in Heaven when He voluntarily “emptied” himself of several divine rights by laying aside the emblem of deity and subjecting himself to human limitations. That is, He became a servant ( and took upon him the form of a servant ), and a true servant simply does what he is told (Jn 6:38). A real servant is numb to both praise (Jn 6:15) and criticism (Mt 12:14-21). He, who left Heaven on our behalf, encourages us to do the same (Lk 22:24-27 and Jn 8:39-59). Whenever you worry about what people “think of you” (be it good or bad) you’ve lost your train Paul said in II Corinthians 8:9: “ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor , that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Jesus left His “riches” back in Heaven when He chose to enter earth’s realm as a man. As you know, men look to live, not die, and living takes money. However, Jesus didn’t come to live; He came to die in order to set men free. Everything Jesus possessed was borrowed. He was born in a borrowed stable, laid in a borrowed manger, preached from a borrowed boat, fed thousands with a borrowed lunch, slept in a borrowed bed, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, observed the Last Supper in a borrowed room, mocked as king in a borrowed robe, and buried in a borrowed tomb. He, who left the wealth of Heaven on our behalf, encourages us to do the same (Mt 6:19-34 & 16:21-26). Whenever you worry about having “things” you’ve lost your train of thought as a Christian (Lk 12:13-21). 2:6a This word ( being ) is the Greek word XSDUFZQ ( huparchon ) and means “ to exist or subsist .” Huparchon describes “ that which a man is in his very essence, which is unalterable .” Concerning Jesus –He was unalterably God. Thus, huparchon denotes pre- existent deity (previous to His birth - Jn 1:2 and Colo 1:16-17). If you know Jesus you know God ( Jn 14:9 ). 2:6b This word ( form ) is the Greek word PοUMK ( morphe ) and means “ exact image or impress. ” Morphe describes “ that which never changes; unalterable. ” Morphe has no reference to the shape of a physical object, but instead refers to the expression of being. Thus, concerning Jesus, morphe denotes that the essential nature of divinity comes from within and is permanently a part of Him, that is, it permanently identifies Jesus with the nature and character of God. To give expression to the essence of deity implies the possession of deity. In other words, Jesus is not merely like God; He is God ( Heb 1:3 ). This verse could read: Who, unalterably (being) is unalterably (in the form of) God. NOTE – This is why an understanding of the deity of Jesus is so essential to salvation. As far as the Godhead is concerned, Jesus’ deity has been “spelled out” plainly (Mic 5:2, Psa 110:1-5, Exo 23:20-23 and Rev 1:8 ), thus no one can receive salvation until he (1) blessings from God ( Psa 1:1 and Josh 1:8 ) and (2) honor from God (vs 9) (Prov 15:33) NOTE – There are three aspects of CHRIST’S thinking that He wants us to emulate: 1. His thoughts concerning “rank” (vs 6) of thought as a Christian (Lk 17:1-10). 3. His thoughts concerning “riches” (vs 8)