Encouragement in Christ

Completed Joy

In the first chapter of this book, Paul expresses his concerns with the church, especially the witness of the people. In this chapter Paul talks about humility and oneness.

Philippians 2:1–2 (NRSV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. To Paul the Christian life is a shared life. Philippians 1:27 (NRSV)

27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, Notice that Paul speaks about our conduct, our responsibilities as Christians in the previous chapter. Paul carries this theme into chapter 2.

Paul leads us to understand that without true humility (genuine humility) there is no possibility of genuine unity. Paul is telling us that we must be imitators of Christ Jesus. Paul begins this chapter by lifting up the fruits of a good harvest then he develops the steps needed to get us to that good harvest.

List of fruitful harvest: be of the same mind, same love, being in full accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:3–4 (NRSV)

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:5–6 (NRSV)

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited, Paul is giving us a road map to get us to unity and humility. Paul tells us to have the mind of Christ Jesus. We do know that Jesus turned the religious world on its ear when he came to his ministry. Jesus did not do what the religious figures were doing but lowered himself to be a servant. The disciples wanted to see him overthrow the authorities and Jesus said submit. Philippians 2:7 (NRSV)

7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,

Loving Consolation-Greek word is paraklesis (comfort or encouragement) as we encourage others we become one with those who suffer.

Fellowship of the Spirit-Greek word koinonia (participation, communion, or sharing) we come together to share in the cup of Jesus Christ when we participate in the Lord’s Supper, but we also participate with each other in fellowship and care for each other.

Paul then restates the idea of loving consolation in the idea of Affection a Mercy. Philippians 2:9 (NRSV)

9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

But we must consider the implications of being equal with Christ. Jesus Christ revealed the Father in his life and pursuit to serve. But can we really become like Christ Jesus? The answer is yes but many will not because they will simply be in awe of the mountainous and epic stature of such a thing. But this is an okay response because it is humility that says He is to high, He is too great for me to achieve.

Humility comes on bended knee, Philippians 2:10 (NRSV)

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, the final process of humility is to bend your knee, Philippians 2:11 (NRSV)

11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And then confess that Jesus is Lord.