Philippians: continuing with Chapter Two

[Debra R]

All you ladies are welcome to join us in this study. We'll go through a few verses at a time until we get through the chapter. Feel free to share your thoughts and comments. What the verses mean to you, how they speak to you, what you have learned from them. We can help each other to learn from God's word.

I will post the first four verses. I thought I would start out with the King James version. You are welcome to use other versions.



(KJV) Philippians 2:1 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.

I took some notes from the Matthew Henry commentary...

I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. This he represents (Philippians 2:2) by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We are of a like mind when we have the same love.

When I read this I immediately thought of these verses....
John 13:34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.


More from Matthew Henry's commentary...

(1.) "If there is any consolation in Christ. Have you experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that experience by loving one another." The sweetness we have found in the doctrine of Christ should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation in Christ? If we would not be disappointed, we must love one another. If we have not consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it? Those who have an interest in Christ have consolation in him, strong and everlasting consolation (Hebrews 6:18,2Th+2:16), and therefore ought to love one another.

(2.) "Comfort of love. If there is any comfort in Christian love, in God's love to you, in your love to God, or in your brethren's love to us, in consideration of all this, be you like-minded.

(3.) "Fellowship of the Spirit. If there is such a thing as communion with God and Christ by the Spirit, such a thing as the communion of saints, by virtue of their being animated and actuated by one and the same Spirit, be you like-minded; for Christian love and like-mindedness will preserve to us our communion with God and with one another."

(4.) "Any bowels and mercies, in God and Christ, towards you. If you expect the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be you compassionate one to another.

(1.) Do nothing through strife and vain glory, Philippians 2:3. There is no greater enemy to Christian love than pride and passion. If we do things in contradiction to our brethren, this is doing them through strife; if we do them through ostentation of ourselves, this is doing them through vain-glory: both are destructive of Christian love and kindle unchristian heats.

(2.) We must esteem others in lowliness of mind better than ourselves, be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is in others above that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own unworthiness and imperfections.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others, Philippians 2:4. A selfish spirit is destructive of Christian love. We must be concerned not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety, but for those of others also; and rejoice in the prosperity of others as truly as in our own. We must love our neighbour as ourselves, and make his case our own.


May our Lord open our hearts and minds and give us more understanding of His word and of Himself.


God bless you all!

[Debra R]

Here are the next set of verses....

(KJV) Philippians 2:5 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.


Feel free to add comments on theses verses.

I'll be back later.
Blessings

[turtledove]

This is one of my favorite chapters in all of Paul's letters..

and this verse really stands out to me..

Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Keeping in context the previous vs..6..expresses the equality of Jesus with God..yet Jesus, as Paul says, "made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant. "

We serve a servant King..King Jesus. The one who is the Word actually took upon Himself the form of a servant. And His servant status took this king to the cross where He died for our sins. (cf v. 8) Such love,such humility, and a message that awakens us into Godly service to our King and others. He was talking to His disciples. In following Jesus..we take up our cross daily to serve..but it is a joy.

And that very joy is our strength. As we decrease (especially in reputation) we are changed from glory to glory. And this is good!

Matthew 20:27 KJV
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

owl

[sunsetssplendor]

[quote=Debra R;1924057]All you ladies are welcome to join us in this study. We'll go through a few verses at a time until we get through the chapter. Feel free to share your thoughts and comments. What the verses mean to you, how they speak to you, what you have learned from them. We can help each other to learn from God's word.

I will post the first four verses. I thought I would start out with the King James version. You are welcome to use other versions.

(KJV) Philippians 2:1 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.

This same love I feel is unreachable for me, especially at this present time. Christ had a perfect for mankind. There are days I can barely tolerate mankind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

This is good advice for when we start to think we're higher and better than other people. Definitely felt convicted on this one.

More from Matthew Henry's commentary...

(1.) "If there is any consolation in Christ. Have you experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that experience by loving one another." The sweetness we have found in the doctrine of Christ should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation in Christ? If we would not be disappointed, we must love one another. If we have not consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it? Those who have an interest in Christ have consolation in him, strong and everlasting consolation (Hebrews 6:18,2Th+2:16), and therefore ought to love one another.

How I want that sweetness.

(2.) We must esteem others in lowliness of mind better than ourselves, be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is in others above that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own unworthiness and imperfections.

Wow!!!! These are great notes. How often am I critical instead of overlooking defects in others? Not often enough.

[Connie Sue]

I hope I'm not too far off track.

This tells me that as a born again Christian, I should have the quality of life so that others can see Christ in me. It is true as a Christian we share that love of Christ and in doing so we lift each other up.

Most importantly though those that do not know Christ should see a different kind of love, not as the world loves, but as Christ loves. Does that make sense? They should see love , joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, and our faith, and not to forget long suffering.

Referring to something personal. Which at times "I just ready to through in the towel". But I tell myself patience is a virtue. So I hang in there a little longer , and a little longer, then I'm ready for a vacation.

I think sometimes its best to step back, maybe God is doing some work there, and I might just be in the way. And I'm always ready for a vacation.
I have found out through the years its not always a good idea to try and help someone who is struggling, like I often do, and find out that I am only being taken advantage of.
Should we live our lives this way? I want to be able to witness to people, I want to live in a way so that people see something different in me. A life that is not of this world.
Live in a way that they might say, I want what she has.
I sometimes have a problem holding my tongue sometimes, and I am reminded of James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.


Glad He is still working on me.

[Debra R]

(KJV) Philippians 2:1 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.

This same love I feel is unreachable for me, especially at this present time. Christ had a perfect for mankind. There are days I can barely tolerate mankind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

This is good advice for when we start to think we're higher and better than other people. Definitely felt convicted on this one.

(1.) "If there is any consolation in Christ. Have you experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that experience by loving one another." The sweetness we have found in the doctrine of Christ should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation in Christ? If we would not be disappointed, we must love one another. If we have not consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it? Those who have an interest in Christ have consolation in him, strong and everlasting consolation (Hebrews 6:18,2Th+2:16), and therefore ought to love one another.

How I want that sweetness.

(2.) We must esteem others in lowliness of mind better than ourselves, be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is in others above that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own unworthiness and imperfections.

Wow!!!! These are great notes. How often am I critical instead of overlooking defects in others? Not often enough.

This love is a love that we can't manufacture on our own. It is a love, agape love, that comes from God. I struggle at times in loving the unlovable. I pray for our Lord to give me His love for others....


Me also, I struggle with being critical and judgmental. And it seems I have struggled with it since Nathaniel passed away. And it saddens me. The more soul searching I do the more areas I see I need to improve. The more I need to rely on God and let Him live through me....

Thank you sunsetssplendor, I appreciate you joining in. And you have helped me. God bless you sis!

[Debra R]

I hope I'm not too far off track.

This tells me that as a born again Christian, I should have the quality of life so that others can see Christ in me. It is true as a Christian we share that love of Christ and in doing so we lift each other up.

Most importantly though those that do not know Christ should see a different kind of love, not as the world loves, but as Christ loves. Does that make sense? They should see love , joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, and our faith, and not to forget long suffering.

Referring to something personal. Which at times "I just ready to through in the towel". But I tell myself patience is a virtue. So I hang in there a little longer , and a little longer, then I'm ready for a vacation.

I think sometimes its best to step back, maybe God is doing some work there, and I might just be in the way. And I'm always ready for a vacation.
I have found out through the years its not always a good idea to try and help someone who is struggling, like I often do, and find out that I am only being taken advantage of.
Should we live our lives this way? I want to be able to witness to people, I want to live in a way so that people see something different in me. A life that is not of this world.
Live in a way that they might say, I want what she has.
I sometimes have a problem holding my tongue sometimes, and I am reminded of James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.


Glad He is still working on me.

Most importantly though those that do not know Christ should see a different kind of love, not as the world loves, but as Christ loves. Does that make sense? They should see love , joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, and our faith, and not to forget long suffering.

Absolutely! And those things are the fruits of the Holy Spirit...

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.


So to walk in the Spirit we must crucify the flesh daily, yield to the Spirit and let Jesus live through us.

I am so glad He is still working on me too. There is hope!

Love you my sister!

[Debra R]

This is one of my favorite chapters in all of Paul's letters..

and this verse really stands out to me..

Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Keeping in context the previous vs..6..expresses the equality of Jesus with God..yet Jesus, as Paul says, "made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant. "

We serve a servant King..King Jesus. The one who is the Word actually took upon Himself the form of a servant. And His servant status took this king to the cross where He died for our sins. (cf v. 8) Such love,such humility, and a message that awakens us into Godly service to our King and others. He was talking to His disciples. In following Jesus..we take up our cross daily to serve..but it is a joy.

And that very joy is our strength. As we decrease (especially in reputation) we are changed from glory to glory. And this is good!

Matthew 20:27 KJV
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

owl

Thnk you sis!

And that very joy is our strength. As we decrease (especially in reputation) we are changed from glory to glory. And this is good!

I am reminded of this verse...
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."


The Lord is definitely my strength. It is His love for me that gives me joy. He reminds me daily that He is with me. That is where my strength comes, that He is with me always.

Our God is good.



Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

These are cross references to verse 7...

I love these verses...

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

[Debra R]

A few cross references for these verses ...

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:



John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.


Philippians 2:10 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.


Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.

Romans 14:11 For it is written:
" As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."

Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


How much love that God would come in the form of man. To live among us. To lay down His life that we may live.
That He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Blessings

[Debra R]

The next verses.....

(KJV) Philippians 2:12 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.

[sunsetssplendor]

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Another area I struggle in. I don't always liked being asked to do something and I 'm not sure where that comes from. Maybe from the fact that as a Mother all I do is give, give give so there are times I don't want to be asked to do a thing. Not even pour a glass of milk! Yet this verse tells me to do ALL things without complaining and murmuring. I would think murmuring means under my breath AND inside my head. Just last night I complained as I put a load of whites in the washer b/c my husband asked me to wait for him to take off his socks. I was so tired (already midnight) and told him to bring his own socks downstairs and toss in the washer. He said ok b/c I was being fussy. Luckily he still loves me, faults and all, but I thank you Lord for bringing it to my attention.

[Debra R]

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Another area I struggle in. I don't always liked being asked to do something and I 'm not sure where that comes from. Maybe from the fact that as a Mother all I do is give, give give so there are times I don't want to be asked to do a thing. Not even pour a glass of milk! Yet this verse tells me to do ALL things without complaining and murmuring. I would think murmuring means under my breath AND inside my head. Just last night I complained as I put a load of whites in the washer b/c my husband asked me to wait for him to take off his socks. I was so tired (already midnight) and told him to bring his own socks downstairs and toss in the washer. He said ok b/c I was being fussy. Luckily he still loves me, faults and all, but I thank you Lord for bringing it to my attention.

God bless you sunsetssplendor .


I'll write more on the verses later. Hopefully tomorrow. I'm so tired right now. Been a rough week at work. And that's what I've got to watch, grumbling about work . It's so crazy there sometimes. I'm working on that though. And our Lord is helping me.


God bless you

[Debra R]

Philippians 2:12 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.

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.....

...work out my own salvation, now that seems to be a little frightening. How am I to work out my own salvation? Is it not Jesus who is my salvation?

...with fear and trembling....Am I to live in fear and tremble?

To me that verse would mean to obey God, to be in awe of Him. He is all powerful even more than my puny mind can possibly comprehend. If He so desired He could crush me like a bug. It is for me to live in respect of God's greatness. That God is all powerful, all knowing, ever present. God is perfect goodness, perfect love. Even these things my mind can barely comprehend. Have we ever seen with our own eyes perfect goodness and perfect love? All these things are what God is.
I do tremble at the thought of grieving Him. It saddens my heart to think of grieving Him. And I tremble at His greatness.


I looked this up in the Adam Clarke Connentary....

Verse 12. As ye have always obeyed
Continue to act on the same principles and from the same motives; having the same disposition which was in Christ; labouring so as to promote His glory.

Work out your own salvation
Go on, walking by the same rule, and minding the same thing, till your salvation be completed: till, filled with love to God and man, ye walk unblamably in all his testimonies, having your fruit unto holiness, and your end everlasting life.

With fear and trembling
Considering the difficulty of the work, and the danger of miscarriage. If you do not watch, pray and continually depend on God, your enemies will surprise you, and your light and life will become extinct; and then consider what an awful account you must give to Him whose Spirit ye have grieved, and of whose glory ye have come short.


I liked this commentary. And we must continually depend on God. Watch, pray and continually depend on Him. That is a must. That is our part to do. That is our work. That part depends on us. And the rest is God's part. As we see in the next verse.....

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I am thankful I can depend on God to work in me. That it is not all up to me. For if it was I'm afraid I would fail. It is God who works in me for His will and pleasure.

Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

And to me that is comforting.

[Debra R]

I will get back to this study, I promise.

[Dani H]

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

The Amplified says this:

14Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

I fall short there. I complain to God quite frequently. Mostly it's a questioning but there's complaining going on, too. Why is it so difficult to accept all things from His hand as good and necessary? Why does something within me always rise up and go "why did You allow this? do You not love me?" I think it's necessary to be obedient to this, though, because really, it's a weapon against self-pity, which is such a horrible pit to live in. Life really is lots easier to deal with when there is joy and peace within me instead of grumblings and rumblings.