This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD.
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By Sam E. Stone
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians reads more like a personal letter than a theological treatise. Today’s text (chapter 2), however, ranks as one of the most significant passages in all the New Testament regarding the coming of God’s Son to earth. It is filled with practical lessons for us as well.
Humility Required
Philippians 2:1-4
When the apostle says, “If you have . . . these qualities,” he is not questioning whether or not the Philippian Christians possess comfort, sharing in the Spirit, and compassion. A better translation would be, “Since you have these characteristics,” then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Earlier Paul indicated that the Philippians were a source of joy to him (1:3-18). Now he urges them to make that joy complete as they imitate Christ.
Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. In humility, as in everything else, Jesus provides the perfect example for his followers. His self-sacrificing spirit of love for others is a model (John 13:12-17). Whenever church members have a rift, whether in Philippi (Philippians 4:2) or your hometown, maintaining the attitude of Christ will solve it.
In verse 6 a moving description of Jesus’ example begins. Many Bible students consider the next verses to be part of an early Christian hymn written by (or adapted by) Paul. Whether or not these beautiful lines constitute a poem, they provide a dramatic picture of our Savior’s incarnation and exaltation. Even before the foundation of the world, Christ was God. He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Jesus emptied himself of the glory he had with the Father before the world was created (John 17:5). Jesus was both truly God and truly man (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Each phrase adds to the description of Christ’s descent (Hebrews 5:7-10). He came down from Heaven to earth, lived as man, then died as a man by the worst possible kind of death (Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 12:2). Both Jews and Greeks were troubled by this (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Christ’s descent to the depths of the world is then countered with his being raised to the heights of Heaven. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. While the previous verses point out what Jesus did, these verses show God’s response. The Father took the initiative. Jesus “was divine in Heaven, no less divine on earth, and no more divine following the ascension,” explains Pat Edwin Harrell. Now, however, he is uniquely honored and recognized by the name “Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
This will be the scene when at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Even those who have opposed him will one day confess him (Isaiah 45:23, 24; Romans 10:9, 10). Note how Philippians 2:5-11 are directly tied to what precedes them and to what follows them—Paul’s admonition to humility and unity (vv. 1-4) and his subsequent appeal for obedience and faithfulness (vv. 12-16). We learn from Christ’s example how we should live.
______
By Sam E. Stone
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians reads more like a personal letter than a theological treatise. Today’s text (chapter 2), however, ranks as one of the most significant passages in all the New Testament regarding the coming of God’s Son to earth. It is filled with practical lessons for us as well.
Humility Required
Philippians 2:1-4
When the apostle says, “If you have . . . these qualities,” he is not questioning whether or not the Philippian Christians possess comfort, sharing in the Spirit, and compassion. A better translation would be, “Since you have these characteristics,” then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Earlier Paul indicated that the Philippians were a source of joy to him (1:3-18). Now he urges them to make that joy complete as they imitate Christ.
Humility Recognized
Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. In humility, as in everything else, Jesus provides the perfect example for his followers. His self-sacrificing spirit of love for others is a model (John 13:12-17). Whenever church members have a rift, whether in Philippi (Philippians 4:2) or your hometown, maintaining the attitude of Christ will solve it.
In verse 6 a moving description of Jesus’ example begins. Many Bible students consider the next verses to be part of an early Christian hymn written by (or adapted by) Paul. Whether or not these beautiful lines constitute a poem, they provide a dramatic picture of our Savior’s incarnation and exaltation. Even before the foundation of the world, Christ was God. He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Jesus emptied himself of the glory he had with the Father before the world was created (John 17:5). Jesus was both truly God and truly man (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Each phrase adds to the description of Christ’s descent (Hebrews 5:7-10). He came down from Heaven to earth, lived as man, then died as a man by the worst possible kind of death (Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 12:2). Both Jews and Greeks were troubled by this (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Christ’s descent to the depths of the world is then countered with his being raised to the heights of Heaven. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. While the previous verses point out what Jesus did, these verses show God’s response. The Father took the initiative. Jesus “was divine in Heaven, no less divine on earth, and no more divine following the ascension,” explains Pat Edwin Harrell. Now, however, he is uniquely honored and recognized by the name “Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
This will be the scene when at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Even those who have opposed him will one day confess him (Isaiah 45:23, 24; Romans 10:9, 10). Note how Philippians 2:5-11 are directly tied to what precedes them and to what follows them—Paul’s admonition to humility and unity (vv. 1-4) and his subsequent appeal for obedience and faithfulness (vv. 12-16). We learn from Christ’s example how we should live.
Philippians 2
King James Version (KJV)
2 If
there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
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