Untitled Sermon (3)

Philippians 2:1-11 Final Outline (2)

Philippi - named after Philip of Macedon - Father of Alexander the Great

Romans took over in 168 B.C. In 42 B.C. Antony and Octavian defeat Brutus and Cassius (Battle of Philippi) Philippi becomes a Roman colony. In 30 B.C Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra (Battle of Actium). Many vets from these wars come to Philippi. Paul founded the church during 2nd Missionary journey (approx 10 to 15 thousand people lived there (Thessalonic - 40 to 50,000/Corinth 100 to 130,000)

Joy - 5 times/Rejoice or rejoice with 11 times

Many Roman veterans lived in Philippi - a little Rome. Roman citizenship. First church in what is present day Europe. Few Jews lived there. No synagogue there. Women met for prayer there. Women had a significant role in the church. The church was very generous to Paul. Problem with two women mentioned in chapter 4. Warning against certain Jewish teachers.

Phil. 2:1-11

Exhortation and Example

I. The Encouragement and Exhortation. vv. 1-4.

“First class conditional clauses (if) assume the premise to be true, and the if may often be translated since.” Mounce, WBC - is true; is certain; is fulfilled

A. Encouragement. vs. 1

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ESV

1. Encouragement in Christ.

Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ,

παράκλησις  - encouragement, comfort, appeal - TH-C  Verb: παρακαλέω 

6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

2. Comfort.

εἴ τι παραμύθιον ἀγάπης,  comfort - “in love”

3. Participation (fellowship) of the Spirit. Cp. 1:5

εἴ τις κοινωνία πνεύματος

fellowship, partnership, participation, sharing, contribution

Only possible as each believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit.

4. Affection and Sympathy (mercy).

εἴ τις σπλάγχνα καὶ οἰκτιρμοί,

σπλάγχνον (splanchnon), inward parts; affection. Verb form used of Christ towards the multitudes

οἰκτιρμός - mercy, compassion - TH-C  “An appeal to human kindness.” Mounce, WBC

B. Exhortation vv. 2-4

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. KJV

πληρώσατέ μου τὴν χαρὰν

1. Be Likeminded. vs. 2

“that ye be likeminded” KJV

“by being of the same mind” ESV

ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε - “think the same thing” - Wuest - “have a common purpose”

2. Be imitating God’s love. vs. 2

τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην ἔχοντες,

3. Be united in spirit and purpose. vs. 2

“being of one accord, of one mind”

σύμψυχοι = “together-souled” “harmonious,” “soul with soul” Wuest το ἑν φρονουντες - “thinking the one thing” WPITNT

4. Be without a selfish self centered attitude. vs. 3

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; KJV

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit” ESV  ἐριθείαν (κενοδοξίαν “empty opinion”) ( Cp. Phil.1:14-17

5. Be lifting up others. vs. 3