Chapel Philippians 2

Background Notes

Roman colony, retired soldiers, patriotic nationalism

This letter is not one progressively building theme or message, Paul is not writing to answer any theological questions, or solve some problem, or deal with some sin in the church, but instead he wrote to express and encourage with joy. This letter has sections of writings that surrounds, picks up key words from, and is built on The Messiah Poem in chapter 2:6-11. This is what the peom says.

“6Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Philippians 2:6–11 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

7Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in Human form,

8He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminals death on a cross.

9Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.”

So, 1:1-11 is a prayer of gratefulness for the Philippian church as partners with him in the sharing of the gospel, and for them to grow in knowledge and understanding of not only who God/Jesus is, but also the true purposes of life trusting God who began this work in them to carry it on to completion. His prayer too is for their love to continue to overflow, despite what is happening to Paul, others, and soon to be themselves.

12-26 communicates their concern for Paul’s imprisonment and yet how this has been for the spreading of the gospel. He mentions the different motivations of some in their sharing the gospel, pure and impure, but says it doesn’t matter because the gospel is being shared and spread. Paul wants his life to bring honor to Jesus in continuing on or in his possible death, a key verse 1:21, For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

27-2:18 is about following Jesus’ example, as Paul has. This is a counter cultural lifestyle. It takes perspective and understanding. Even though there is persecution and resistance, they must stand together in defense of the good news. They have been saved by Him for the purpose of telling others about Him. Realizing and believing that they/we are citizens of heaven, therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News, the Gospel, the perfect life that we couldn’t live but that He lived for us on our behalf, and the sacrificial, sin atoning, death that He died in our place. Because of this, live in such a way that honors your understanding, gratitude, amazement, of this.

2:1-5 start with some rhetorical questions, answers are of course yes, his point is for them to not focus on whats happening outside the church, or to the church, but what is happening inside the church. 3-5 are internal attitudes all followers of Jesus should have, and Paul points to Jesus as the example of this.

The Jesus Poem

Joy in serving, Christ life was a life of service, I did not come to be served, but to serve others and to give my life as a ransom or offering for others. .

This takes the right attitude, which first comes from remembering and/or realizing. V5, You must have the same attitude that Jesus Christ had