Philippians 2:12-19

Introduction

We return to Philippians, where we will go to the end of chapter 2. In reality though, we’ll see that Paul’s long “argument” that goes back to chapter 1 will actually conclude in vs 18. At that point he will pivot to some notices about two people he intended to send to Philippi.

Philippians 2:12-18

Verse 12 opens with “therefore”. Whenever we see “therefore” in Scripture we should ask, “What’s the therefore there for?”

This lets us know that what Paul is about to say is a direct follow-up and causation of what he has said before. So what did Paul say before?

Here is a quick recap up to this moment:

Paul is in prison, but this isn’t a bad thing.

Despite ill intentions by some, it has actually led to the Gospel being spread in unlikely places.

Paul intends to be “delivered” - either through release or death, and he’s having a hard time deciding which.

Ultimately he settles on living for the sake of the Philippians.

His ask of them regardless if he makes it back:

Live a life worthy of the Gospel

This looks like unity

Which is a sign of salvation, but destruction to their enemies

Unity is important because God has granted them suffering, like Paul

How can unity be achieved?

Humility, specifically a humility like Christ’s humility. (Christ hymn)

Now we can see what the therefore is there for!

“as you have always obeyed” - he’s encouraging them. The Philippians were extremely close to Paul and nothing makes someone feel better than hearing, “You always listened.” (and don’t overlook the fact that he calls them beloved!)

“so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence” - he goes back to what he said earlier: regardless if he’s with them or not, he wants them to do what he’s about to say. And what does he say?

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

This is a hotly debated verse! On it’s own, it has spawned much debate. If we are saved by grace through faith, and not be works (as Paul himself said), what on earth does he mean “work out your own salvation”??

The problem: many take this verse out of context. So what’s the context of Paul saying this?

Where else has he talked about salvation so far?

Philippians 1:28 “and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

And what is Paul referring to here? Unity! Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

So here in vs 12, Paul is referring back to 1:27-28. He even uses that same language of whether he’s with them or not he expects them to “obey” this command. They are working out their salvation by humbling themselves like Christ and being unified.

The second part that often gets overlooked with this verse is that the sentence doesn’t end there! It continues into Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

This “working out of salvation”, this unity, is aided by God. The will of God is for the Church to be united in Christ, and so it makes sense that God “works” this in us “both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Other passages that stress unity as the will of God are Romans 15:5–6 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” and Ephesians 4:3–6 “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

A few other notes on this passage.

It’s interesting that in 1:27-28 Paul tells them to be unified “and not frightened in anything by your opponents”, and now here in 2:12 he says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. If there is anything the Church should fear, it’s not their opponents, but not doing the will of God!

“You” - the “yous” in vs 12-13 are all plural, not singular! This does cause interpretation issues. In this case, it must be remembered that Paul is not talking to individuals, he’s talking to the entire church. That recognition can clear up a lot of debate on this passage pretty quickly. If unity is the “salvation” mentioned here, it makes sense that Paul is talking to a group and not an individual - an individual can’t unify themselves!

Now that Paul has established this point, he once again gives concrete ways that unity can be achieved.

Previously, it was the humility of Christ.

Now he adds “Do all things without grumbling or disputing”

But now he adds a new wrinkle: the church should do this so that they can be seen as different from the rest of the world.

But this isn’t a totally new thought. He referenced it back in...1:28! “This [unity] is a clear sign to them of their destruction”

If you want to see who’s saved and who’s not, who’s “blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish” and who’s “crooked and twisted”, just look at the unified Church living in the midst of the world!

The contrast is like stars in the night sky, which is why Paul describes us as “shining as lights in the world”.

Paul is taking this illustration right from the Lord Jesus who said it in Matthew 5:14 ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” ,Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

But I also think Paul is remembering Daniel 12:3 “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (The Greek word for “lights” is only used twice in the entire NT, and it’s the same word used in the Greek version of Daniel 12:3, which is here translated “brightness”)

And ultimately this light is sustained by “holding fast to the word of life”.

But truthfully, this beautiful description of Christians living in the world was really just another side track to Paul’s overarching point: “Do all things without grumbling and disputing...(vs 16) so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (It seems like Paul often got carried away with his sentences!)

He’s once again echoing what he said earlier in Philippians 2:2 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

He wraps this whole argument up in vs 17-18 similar to how he started it: “If I don’t get out of this alive, it will be for you”. He uses pretty graphic sacrificial language to describe his potential death. But that only serves to let the church know that his death would be a good thing! And for that, he was “glad and rejoice with you all.” Instead of being sad, he wants them to also rejoice in that possibility.

2:19-30: Salutations

Practically speaking, this passage is extremely specific to the Philippians church, and Paul’s plans that he had for them. However that does not mean we can’t learn a thing or two about how to treat one another from it.

Timothy was one of Paul’s traveling companions, and his “son in the faith”. This passage, as well as others that Paul wrote about Timothy likely meant a great deal to him, considering that he seems to have had a Greek father that doesn’t seem to have been in the picture (his mother and grandmother were believing Jews).

To say “I have no one like him” and “You know his proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the Gospel” no doubt would have brought great love and joy to Timothy. This same is true today - never be afraid to brag about your “children in the faith”, it could mean the world to them!

Paul often sent Timothy to check in on the churches (Corinth and Thessalonica). By the end of Paul’s life, Timothy had settled in as an overseer of the churches at Ephesus, which is where he was located during the writings of 1 & 2 Timothy.

As we saw at the beginning of the book, Timothy seems to have had a hand writing this very letter to the Philippians. So all indications are that he was just as close to them as Paul was!

While Paul hoped to send Timothy soon, and also go back to Philippi himself, in the meantime he decided to send someone else: Epaphroditus.

It’s likely that Epaphroditus was the person who delivered the letter to the church at Philippi, and may have even been the one to read it out loud to them the first time!

We don’t know much about him, other than he seems to have come from Philippi (later in chapter 4, Paul will reference this.) He apparently was the chief correspondent betwen Paul and the Church, as well as the one to bring Paul gifts from the church.

Paul obviously thinks very highly of him, calling him “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need” - very important to both sides!

Fun fact: his name means “charming or handsome” (literally: “devoted to Aphrodite” - Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, and one of the main gods worshipped in Philippi)

As we see from this paragraph, at some point on his journey Epaphroditus got sick and almost died. In the ancient world where communication wasn’t easy, it probably pained the Philippians to hear that 1. Paul was in prison and 2. The man they had sent apparently got sick and might have even died!

It certainly would have pained Paul who strongly describes this scenario as “sorrow upon sorrow” and is naturally thankful that God spared him/them of it. Never forget to thank God for the things he didn’t let happen!

So Paul sends him back “that you may rejoice at seeing him again” - it all goes back to joy!

He tells them to “receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men”. What kind of men deserve honor? Those who are willing to put their lives on the line for Christ. Martyrs, and even potential martyrs, always deserve the highest honor.

This section does end on an ominous note though when Paul says, “Epaphroditus risked his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” Amid all the joy, that seems like kind of a rude thing to say! Tune in next time...

Conclusion

To this point, Paul has stressed for the church to not worry, be unified, and above all, be joyful! If we can do that, our salvation will be obvious, because we will stick out like a sore thumb - or as Paul says, “shining as lights in the world”.