In Christ
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¶ 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. |
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- If there be Paul had been encouraging the
believers to recognize their heavenly citizenship ph0127
and continues here.
1 - Fellowship Greek koinonia Partnership. 1 - Bowels Greek splagchna See on ph0108. 3 - Lowliness of mind See a note for Matt. 7. |
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Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (NASB). .6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 6 who, although He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (NASB) .7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men (NASB). 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. |
6 -
Form of God We do not understand the nature of Christ beyond what
we are told which is enough to keep our minds busy forever. Speculation
is always a source of error. Compare he0103.
6 - Robbery May be translated, "a thing to be grasped." He was not so proud of His divine position that He was unwilling to take the form of humanity. 7 - Made himself of no reputation The NASB translation is more literal. By "emptied Himself," we understand that He voluntarily gave up aspects of His divinity. See on jn1017. What did He give up? When Jesus returns he will come with the glory of the Father mt1627. The angels will be there, too, and the glory of just one angel at the resurrection caused the guards to fall as dead men mt2803. Jesus concealed this glory when on earth. I believe He will also carry humanity forever. This doesn't mean He would no longer be divine. We don't understand it all. He will bear scars from the nails as a reminder for us of His amazing sacrifice for our freedom! zc1306. Amazing, incomprehensible grace!!! 7 - Likeness of men Marvelous gift of grace. He stands as a man for us in heaven. See da0713. 10 - Every knee This promise seems hard to believe. Does it mean that no one will be finally lost? Such a conclusion would be contrary to a mass of evidence that many will be lost. Let's examine the concept of everyone bowing before Christ as it is presented in Revelation 5 re0513a. |
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¶ 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. |
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- Work out ... salvation Paul is urging the people of Philippi not
to lean on him but on God. Still we have a lesson of responsibility here.
Our works do not earn our salvation but we must strive with the power He
provides is2705,
lu1324.
Only in diligence can our faith link with Christ be strong.
13 - God works As we care enough to follow the behavior of Christ, God does His work in us. |
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¶ 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. |
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- Murmurings The word in Greek goggusmoi imitates the complaining
sound as does the word in English. In French it's murmurs.
14 - Disputings Compare 1ti0605. 15 - Harmless From akeraioi. In contrast to "blameless" which means "cannot be accused." Harmless may be translated, "pure." (NIV). At His coming Christ will find the righteous "without spot and blameless." 2pe0313. We may see the same two qualities here. They are sanctified and justified. 15 - In the midst See jn1715 2 pe0104. By grace, we must rise above our environment refusing influences that corrupt our minds. As parents we must raise our children away from influences of bad friends and most television. A good early environment will prepare them to stand holding on to Christ. 16 - Holding forth The Greek may also read, "holding tightly." The apostle has told us to be true in the midst of wickedness in the previous verse. We may do this by holding to the Scriptures. His measure of success, of not running in vain, is in our faithfulness. Compare 1jo0668, ac0520. |
| 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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- I myself shall come He believed that the Lord would work to get
him released from prison.
25 - Supposed Or "considered" or "thought." 25 - My This word applies to three nouns. 29 - Reputation Rather "honor." |
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