Philippians 2 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Phil 2:1-4

A. Find Out:    

1. Of what 5 things did he ask if they had? v.1
   • Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2. What 4 things did he want for them? v.2b
   • by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
3. What would that produce in him? v.2a
   • then make my joy complete
4. What were they not to do? v.3a
   • Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
5. What were they to do? v.3b
   • rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
6. What should they further do? v.4
   • not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

B. Think:

1. On what grounds does Paul appeal to them for unity?
2. What sort of unity does he want?
3. Why do you think that Paul would write about this?

C. Comment:

Paul has either heard of disagreement in the Philippian church, or he simply knows what is required to cope with the suffering he has just been speaking about, and so he now makes a strong call for unity in the church there. Let’s look at this call because it is not just for a superficial unity. First, consider the NATURE OF THE UNITY that he calls for: it is by having the same mind, the same love, the same spirit and the same purpose. This is far greater than just agreeing to work together for the Gospel, this is real unity.

Second, consider the GROUNDS FOR UNITY that he speaks about. He says, if you have any blessing from your relationship with Christ, any experience of the goodness of it all, then lean on that and let it develop into a oneness that comes from you all being the same. You all know the blessing of Christ, you are all receivers of his love, you are all in the same body, so let that reality create a oneness in you.

Finally, note the THREAT TO UNITY and his exhortation to counter personal pride and instead let humility be the guiding force to create this unity. Think of others as better than you and even more, look after them. Have this sort of attitude and you will start to find a new sort of unity coming about!

D. Application?

1. 1Christian unity flows from who we are, receivers of God’s blessings.
2. Humility counters the foolishness of pride

Passage: Phil 2:5-11

A. Find Out:

1. What should we have? v.5
   •  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
2. What didn’t Christ grab at? v.6
   • who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
3. Instead what form did he take? v.7
   • rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
4. What did he do as this? v.8
   • And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
5. What was his reward? v.9
   • Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
         and gave him the name that is above every name,
6. How is he now to be seen? v.10,11
   • that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B. Think:

1. How is Jesus seen as an example to us of laying down our RIGHTS?
2. How is he seen as an example of HUMILITY and SERVANTHOOD?
3. How is what happened to him also an encouragement to us?

C. Comment:

Remember Paul is challenging them about unity and says it has to come from the heart. Here he uses the illustration of what Christ did and calls them to follow in Christ’s footsteps.

First Christ, because he was part of the Godhead, had the right to be seen as God but instead he put that right aside. We are to put our “rights” aside.

Second, Christ took the form of a human being to become a servant to his Father, and as a servant he was totally obedient, even to the point of dying. This sort of humility and servanthood is Christ’s desire for his church, for when it is there, there will also be a unity as well. We are to put aside pride and self-rule.

Third, by way of encouragement, look at what happened to Christ, he says. He was raised up and seated at his Father’s right hand and given the name of Lord, and everyone will see it and know it. You need have no fear; when you lay down your life for God, He will raise it up (see John 12:24 ,25). Yes, says Paul, have the same attitude as Christ, lay down your lives, lay down your claims, let humility and servanthood work in you to bring unity in the body.

D. Application?

1. A humble serving heart is not a divisive one, but creates a unity of love.
2. Christ is our supreme example. May we follow him.

Passage: Phil 2:12-13

A. Find Out:

1. What had they done previously? v.12a
   • Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed
2. Where was Paul now? v.12b
   • not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence
3. What were they to do? v.12c
   • continue to work out your salvation
4. How were they to do it? v.12d
   • with fear and trembling
5. What was God doing? v.13a
   • for it is God who works in you to will and to act
6. Why was He doing it? v.13b
   • in order to fulfil his good purpose.

B. Think:

1. Where, here, is God considered to be active?
2. What is He doing to bring about His will, do you think?
3. What is the call to us here?

C. Comment:

In verses 9 to 11 yesterday we saw that God has exalted Jesus to the place of Lord of all the earth. Very well, Paul continues, co-operate with Him as you work through your salvation. There are some specific things we should observe here.

Note first that we have to “work out” or work through our salvation. It needs our involvement, we have minds and wills and they need to be bent to the task of seeing that God’s purposes are being followed by me. I have a responsibility here for me.

Note second, that we are to do it with “fear and trembling”, recognising the awesomeness of the Lord whom we serve. It is possible for us to get it wrong and incur His displeasure and discipline. That may not affect our eternal destiny if our hearts are set on Him, but our wrongdoing can certainly affect our communion with Him and His dealings with us on a daily basis.

Finally note that God Himself is working in us to bring about His will in us? How? By the guiding and convicting of His Holy Spirit who indwells us. He is gently and quietly working to conform us to His own Son, Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 3:18)

D. Application?

1. I have a responsibility to ensure I bring my mind and will in line with God’s will.
2. The Lord, by His Holy Spirit, IS working within me to help me become more like Jesus.

Passage: Phil 2:14-16

A. Find Out:

1. How are we to do all we do? v.14
   • Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
2. What will we be morally? v.15a,c
   • so that you may become blameless and pure … without fault
3. What will we be spiritually? v.15b
   • ‘children of God
4. Where will we be this? v.15c
   • in a warped and crooked generation.’
5. How will we appear? v.15d
   • Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
6. How are we to do it? v.16a
   • as you hold firmly to the word of life.
7. With what consequence? v.16b
   • And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.

B. Think:

1. Christians are to be different! What is the world round about us like?
2. Christians are to be different! How are we to be so?
3. Christians are different? Why is that so?

C. Comment:

Paul has just reminded us that God is working out His purpose in us and we are to co-operate with Him.

First note WHO we are: children of God! God has made us what we are, He has a plan for our lives, and He has a destiny for us.

Second, note the WORLD in which we live: it is inhabited by people who are “crooked and depraved”. Crooked indicates those who have become bent and distorted, who are no longer true to the Designer’s plan for them. Depraved means being corrupted morally, who have lost moral purity that the first people had. We are not to be like the people of the world!

Third, by contrast, note the WAY we are to be in life: contented and at peace with one another, by positively NOT complaining or arguing. Like this we will be blameless (without blame) and pure (without blemish) and faultless (without fault).

Fourth, note the WITNESS we will be as a result; we’ll shine like stars in the (dark) sky, and be seen.

Finally, note the WORD we are to hold out or hold onto, the word of life. It is as we hold onto the truth from and about Jesus, that it also becomes the word of life for us, and that holds us firm without wavering.

D. Application?

1. 1. Knowing who we are, knowing what we are to be, helps us know how we are to be.
2. Because the world is so dark, being what we are supposed to be means we’ll shine and be seen.

Passage: Phil 2:16-18

A. Find Out:

1. When may Paul boast? v.16a,b
   •  as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ
2. What may he boast? v.16c
   • that I did not run or labour in vain.
3. To what does he liken himself? v.17a
   • But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering
4. On what was he being poured? v.17b
   • on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith,
5. What was his feeling about it? v.17c
   • I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
6. So what does he instruct them to do? v.18
   • So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

B. Think:

1. In one sense, why is Paul encouraging them to live godly lives?
2. There in prison what does he wonder?
3. Read Numbers 15:5-10 and 2 Timothy 4:6-8

C. Comment:

In encouraging the Philippians to be Christ-like, unified and acting like children of God, Paul simply adds the encouragement that is basically, “That you may please me, that I haven’t wasted my time”. But even as he says this, this self-deprecating apostle takes away any “heavy authority” or “self-aggrandizement” from it. Let’s consider the picture he uses here and when writing to Timothy (see above).

The picture he uses of himself is of the drink offering that is found in Numbers. There the wine was supplementary to the main offering and was probably poured out at the foot of the altar. I see, says Paul, your lives like a sacrifice to the Lord, I see your service flowing from faith and I am happy for my life to be poured out, simply as an extra blessing for the Lord, as he wills.

Paul is very conscious that his end may be coming soon but, as he has indicated previously (see 1:20 -26), his main concern is to be a blessing to his Lord, however he may be that. So, he says, I’m rejoicing and I want you to rejoice too. In all he says, this man is a challenge and an example to the Philippians and to us, in his instructions and his whole approach to his life and possible approaching death.

D. Application?

1. Is to please and bless God at the very heart of our Christian experience? What a challenge!
2. Ask the Lord to make this real to you today.

Passage: Phil 2:19-24

A. Find Out:

1. What was Paul hoping to do soon? v.19a
   • I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,
2. For what purpose? v.19b
   • that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
3. Why was Timothy particularly suited to go? v.20
   •  I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
4. What do most people do? v.21
   • For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
5. How had Timothy proved himself? v.22
   • But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
6. When would he send Timothy? v.23
   •  I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
7. And waht else was he hoping for? c.24
   • And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

B. Think:

1. What were Paul’s desires in respect of the Philippians?
2. Why was Timothy obviously so well suited to send?
3. How is Timothy a challenge to us?

C. Comment:

As further encouragement to the Philippian believers, Paul tells them that he is hoping to come to see them sometime in the not very distant future, but before that happens he wants to hear further how they are getting on, so he will send Timothy to bring back such news. Let’s see what we learn about Timothy from these few verses.

First of all, he is held in very high regard by Paul, and if a leading apostle says he has “no-one else like him”, he must be special! But then see the reason why Paul says this: because Timothy really has a heart for the Philippians. Most people, he goes on to say, are more concerned with their own well-being first, but not so with Timothy, he puts the work and name of the Lord first and has proved himself in the way that he has worked alongside me, almost like a son with his father.

A further thing that we could almost miss is that Timothy obviously has a submissive servant heart. He is obviously one who will go when Paul sends him. What a picture, a man whose heart is fully given to serving the Lord and the people of God, submissive to the desires of his spiritual leader. Such are the people that God can use. Are we like this?

D. Application?

What is my reputation like? What am I really like? Do people consider me one who is zealous for God, caring for people and submissive to authority?

Passage: Phil 2:25-30

A. Find Out:

1. What 4 descriptions does Epaphroditus receive? v.25
   • But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
2. Why was he distressed? v.26
   • For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
3. What had almost happened to him? v.27
   • Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
4. Why then was Paul happy to send him? v.28
   • Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad, and I may have less anxiety.
5. How did Paul instruct them to receive him? v.29
   • So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him,
6. Why had he almost died? v.30
   • because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

B. Think:

1. How was Epaphroditus shown to have a servant heart?
2. How was he shown to have a caring heart?
3. How was he shown to be highly esteemed?

C. Comment:

Having just spoken about sending Timothy to the Philippians, there is another Christian, also in Paul’s thoughts, who he wants to go with Timothy, a man by the name of Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus had come to Paul from Philippi specifically to minister to Paul. He was first and foremost a servant of God who served God’s people. He had obviously thrown himself whole heartedly into the work, for Paul refers to him as his fellow worker and fellow soldier, and Epaphroditus is clearly zealous for the Lord, shown by the way he is described as having almost died for the work.

Epaphroditus is also remarkably compassionate; he has been ill but he is deeply worried that the people back home will have heard and be worried on his behalf. Paul recognises this worry in him and sees that it is “necessary” (v.25) to send him back to allay his and their fears, such was the care of the apostle. We are not told what the illness was but it was obviously something caught while on the Lord’s business which became so serious it needed the Lord’s strong intervention to bring healing. Yes, this caring, zealous, servant of God truly deserves the honour Paul speaks about. May there be more like him.

D. Application?

1. Servants serve a master. Jesus is our master. Are we serving him?
2. God honours those who honour Him and provides protection and healing as necessary.