Philippians 2:

[Chapter 2 Synopsis: keep on growing in servant humility, maintaining and building peace and unity so you stand out for Christ. We’re hoping to send Timothy to you soon but are returning Epaphroditus to you now]

• v.1-11 Imitating Christ’s Humility
• v.12-18 Do Everything without Grumbling
• v.19-24 Hopes to send Timothy soon
• v.25-30 Returning Epaphroditus

v.1-11 Imitating Christ’s Humility

[Passage Synopsis: assuming you’ve been richly blessed by being ‘in Christ’, let love build an even stronger unity, looking up to one another with Christ’s servant-hearted humility, and develop the same obedience that resulted in him being exalted and honored in heaven with the Father]

v.1,2 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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

v.3,4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

v.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

v.6,7 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

v.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

v.9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[Note: Thinking of all you’ve received from being ‘in Christ’, then be of one mind with one love and one Spirit and don’t be selfish but instead in humility look up to others, caring for them, thinking in the same way as Christ. For remember although he was God, he came as a servant in human likeness, and he humbled himself, even to die for us, so his Father has lifted him and his name above anyone else so every living being will eventually have to bow before him and worship him.]

v.12-18 Do Everything without Grumbling

[Passage Synopsis: whether or not I’m with you, keep going all out as God works out His purposes in you, making sure you maintain peace and unity so you stand out in this world, to bless me so we can rejoice together]

v.12,13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.

v.14-16 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.

v.17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

v.18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

[Note: So keep at working on this salvation of yours as God works in you to achieve His purposes, and do it without objection or dispute [Deut. 32:5] so you will stand out in this world today, to confirm I didn’t waste my time. If my life is just being poured out for Him, I rejoice, so rejoice with me.]

v.19-24 Hopes to send Timothy soon

[Passage Synopsis: I’m hoping to be able to send Timothy to you soon to send me news, who stands out as my fellow worker concerned for you]

v.19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

v.20,21 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

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.

v.23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

v.24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

[Note: I want to send Timothy soon, he’s unique in his concern for you and a proven worker for the gospel. We’ll have to see what transpires but I hope he can some soon, and I will as well, I’m sure.]

v.25-30 Returning Epaphroditus

[Passage Synopsis: we’re sending you back your messenger Epaphroditus who you sent to help me. Yes, he’s been seriously ill here but has recovered, and so longs to see you that we’re sending him back to bless you]

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.

v.26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

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.

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.

29,30 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, 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.

[Note: But your messenger, Epaphroditus who you sent to bless me, can come back for he longs to see you and reassure you. For yes, indeed he was very ill but he’s recovered now so when I send him to you, you can be blessed by him. So when he comes bless and honour him for what he’s been through.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: