Since you have...be of one mind

This is needed more now than ever before. Being divided, was a problem then and it is at is peak now, especially policitially. Paul is communicating to the Philippians that on the basis of what they have in Christ, they can be unified.

v.1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy.

The statement says if, but is not the best translation. It should be since. Since you have

Because you have or “In this context, the word if points to realities or certainties, not possibilities or probabilities. Some have translated it “as surely as.”In these four clauses Paul is reminding believers of four certainties they can be sure are true. These confident indicatives of reality are the basis for the urgent imperatives to build unity.”

Since we have encouragement/exhortation in Christ.

There are two translations. Comfort or Encouragement exhortation.

The greek word is Παράκλησις. word study on paraklesis shows that there were two senses of the word. We see that the word was used as exhortation or comfort.

In the Old Testament, paraklesis is translated from Hebrew in the LXX for 15 Hebrew words. When a word in Hebrew was translated with paraklesis, it was mostly translated as comfort. It was used to comfort those in bereavement (2 Samuel 10:2) and when God provides comfort amid judgment (Psalm 23:4). Much of the Old Testament usage gives the sense of comfort. There is no Hebrew equivalent for paraklesis, so it was used for 15 different Hebrew words. However, the New Testament reflects both meanings depending on the context.

The other sense is exhortation or encouragement. These senses are used when Paul and other New Testament authors try to convince the readers of a particular point. In Colossians 2:2 and 2 Corinthians 2:7, Paul uses the word to persuade his followers. Outside of the context of God's salvific plan, the term is always used to "beseech" or "exhort." In Philippians 2:1, Paul starts the clause with an appeal to live in unity. The word is appropriately translated as exhortation or encouragement because Paul emphasizes the necessary call to unity within the church. Paul is making an argument for unity in the church and uses Christ Jesus's appeal. Therefore, for this verse, in particular, the word is best translated as an exhortation.

κοινωνία πνεύματος-similarly πνεύματος is in the genitive, and here the same as above applies. Here the two nouns in the genitive are related, essentially stating that the Spirit has a causal relationship of fellowship with one another. The two nouns in the genitive show that exhortation or encouragement all come from love. The genitive introduces the idea that the love they have for one another and the love that comes from Christ should catalyze unity.

σπλάγχνα καὶ οἰκτιρμοί- Again Paul is joining two nouns to make a grammatical point. Both nouns are in the nominative. Paul does this in Colossians 3:2 "σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ" which ESV translates as a compassionate heart. Here it can be translated a myriad of ways, "tender mercy,” "warmth of heart,” "affection"

Basically, this word is essentially affections in general.[1] The word τις is essential because it ties two plural nouns communicating the same idea. Therefore, if there is any love towards one another, then the believers need to unify. All unity comes from the love that Christ gives us and the love we have for one another.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind

v.2 ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε-. φρονῆτεis a verb in the present active subjunctive, "being of same mind" can be translated as "that you should think the same thing"[1]either way, it is the unity that Paul is urging his followers to engage. The clause is a figure of speech for the believers he is writing. Having the same mind is a command in light of verse 1. The word ἵνα indicates what Paul's completed joy would take place with the believers being of one mind. And this clause is also connected to verse 1, on which most of verse two is based.

τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην ἔχοντες, σύμψυχοι, τὸ ἓν φρονοῦντες,- αὐτὴν ἀγάπην both of these words are in the accusative singular, defining that they have the same love. The love displayed in verse one should be the love they have for one another; it is the love of Christ toward one another. Σύμψυχοι means to be of one mind. The believers need to be of one love and one mind. This one mind harkens back to chapter one as there were divisions within the community about circumcision. Their love and theology must agree for the gospel to proceed

The upcoming passages develop the theological significance of unity withing the church. Paul understands, with the Philippians on the brink of division that a church never survives discord. That is why, especially when times are tough, we must be united more than ever.

Illustration

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers (749: Unity)

The May 1987 edition of National Geographic included a feature about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults. As the wolves approached their quarry, the musk-oxen bunched in an impenetrable semicircle, their deadly rear hooves facing out, and the calves remained safe during a long standoff with the enemy.But then a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A skirmish ensued, and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the calves to the mercy of the predators. Not a single calf survived.Paul warned the Philippians that wolves would come, not sparing the flock. Wolves, inside and outside the church continue to attack the church today but cannot penetrate and destroy when unity is maintained. When believers break ranks, however, they provide easy prey.

Other Biblical Passages

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) – “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

English Standard Version (Chapter 17)

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Application

Unity and love towards each other is the most powerful witness to the world to know that we are from God. There is no other way around us. Preaching on the street corner…great. Doing a bible study…awesome. inviting people to church on sunday…amazing. But nothing shows the world the gospel than the love and unity we have for one another.