Coachlight Bible Study – Philippians Chapter Two

Others Esteem

Paul, in chapter one, has laid the foundation of experiencing joy here on this earth, no matter what circumstances the Philippian assembly face. Paul has explained that he did not like being chained to a Roman soldier and stuck in prison, but that he knew that the Words given him by God was having a wider scope of effect.  Not only was Paul’s prison Epistles widely read, and still is, but now others were motivated to teach the Scriptures.  While some were motivated in the proper perspective, some others were motivated for selfish reasons thereby belittling Paul or “supposing to add affliction to my bonds”.  This was bad enough that Paul actually desired to go home and be with the Lord, but he desired to do God’s will and not his own.

Instead of being self-centered, Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was being taught and had the confidence that he would see the Philippians again and minister to their needs.

Paul ten exhorts the Philippians that their conversation (politeuomai  - “citizenship or lifestyle”) is important to the Gospel of Christ.  You may remember that Paul used a double metaphor in the Greek language to explain how important suffering for Christ may be.  The first mind picture is as the purpose of a Roman colony (like Philippi)was to protect the homeland (Rome) and Romanize the area, so the citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) have the purpose of holding forth the Word of life and shining the light to a perverse nation (Philippians 2:15-16).  The second mind picture is by using the word agon – “athletic engagement or battle” in verse 30 of chapter one, and the word sunatheleos – “athletes striving together”, in verse 27.  To the Greek speaking person, a picture of the Olympic games would come to mind.  The Philippians were to be athletes striving together for the faith of the Gospel rather that to self interests.

Chapter two, takes off from there, and exhorts the Philippians to have the same mind set as the man Jesus Christ had on earth.  He was God made a man, but He did not pursue selfish desires, but emptied Himself of certain of His God characteristics and took on the form of a slave.  Therefore Christ as a man was obedient to the will of God – even to death, thus esteeming others above himself.

This lesson should be an exhortation to all of us to have the same mind set as Christ, and perform others esteem instead of self esteem.

Book of Philippians – A Missionary Letter
Focus	Gospel Athletes	Others-Esteem	Running The Race	The Peace Of God
Reference	Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4
Christ	Christ is Paul’s life	Christ is the Model of Humility	Christ is the One Who Will Change our Vile Bodies	Christ is the Source of Power over Circumstances
Plan	The Gospel During Suffering	Being Likeminded with Christ	Knowing Christ and  His Resurrection Power	Stand Fast Striving Together
Topic	Suffering	Humbleness	Citizenship	Peace
Intention	While writing  a thank-you letter, Paul takes the opportunity to exhort the Philippians to Be likeminded with Christ in their walk knowing their citizenship is in heaven, thereby experiencing peace.

I. Exhortation For All To Others Esteem

Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded<5426>, having the same love, being of one accord<4861>, of one mind<5426>.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife<2052> or vainglory<2754>; but in lowliness of mind<5012> let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

A. Verse one is conditional in English – In Greek it is conditional but stating as a fact

1. Since there is consolation in Christ

2. Since there is comfort of love (agape- “unselfish love”)

3. Since there is fellowship in the Spirit

4. Since there is compassionate motives and actions

B. The Tent Ways The Philippians Could Fill Up Paul’s Joy By: (2-4)

1. If they all keep on thinking the same thing

2. If they are all bound together with love

3. If they are all bound “as souls together” or the same desires

4. If they all think (phroneo- mind) the same thing

5. If nothing is done with strife (erithia – promoting self)

6. If nothing is done with vain glory (kenodoxia – void or emptying of glory)

7. If everyone of them have a humble opinion of themselves – (tapeinophrosune)

8. If everyone of them esteem others better than themselves

9. If everyone of them doesn’t only look at the interests that concern himself

10. If everyone of them tends to the interests of others

C. Notice That This Important Unity Did Not Involve Things Such As:

1. Unity in consent to a creed or doctrine

2. Unity in the form of worship

3. Unity in participation in a church function or fund

D. Note that Phoneo is used twice in verse 2 – Also in verse 5

5426 fronew phroneo fron-eh’-o - from 5424; TDNT-9:220,1277; v

think 5, regard 4, mind 3, be minded 3, savour 2, be of the same mind + 846 2, be like minded + 846 2, misc 8; 29

1) to have understanding, be wise

2) to feel, to think

2a) to have an opinion of one’s self, think of one’s self, to be modest, not let one’s opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty

2b) to think or judge what one’s opinion is

2c) to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious

3) to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

3a) to seek one’s interest or advantage

3b) to be of one’s party, side with him (in public affairs)

4861 sumqucov sumpsuchos soom’-psoo-khos - from 4862 and 5590; ; adj

of one accord 1; 1

1) of one mind, of one accord

This word is made up of two words "sun" (together with) and psuchos (soul, self, inner life, or the seat of the feelings, desires, affections).  So the word refers to being united in spirit or harmonious (A&G).  Paul desired the Philippians to be united in their affections-one in Christ in all desires!  Used only here in the NT. (Wayne Steury)

2052 eriyeia eritheia er-ith-i’-ah - perhaps as the same as 2042; TDNT-2:660,256; n f

strife 5, contention 1, contentious + 1537 1; 7

1) electioneering or intriguing for office

1a) apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts

1b) partisanship, fractiousness

This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means. (A&G) Paul exhorts to be one in the mind of Christ not putting self forward or being selfish (#Php 2:3).  #Jas 3:14 speaks against having selfishness or self-promoting in your heart. (Wayne Steury)

2754 kenodoxia kenodoxia ken-od-ox-ee’-ah - from 2755; TDNT-3:662,426; n f

vainglory 1; 1

1) vain glory, groundless, self esteem, empty pride

2) a vain opinion, error

5012 tapeinofrosunh tapeinophrosune tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay - ; n f

humility 3, humbleness of mind 1, humility of mind 1, lowliness 1, lowliness of mind 1; 7

1) the having a humble opinion of one’s self

2) a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness

3) modesty, humility, lowliness of mind

II. Exhortation To Have The Same Mindset That Christ Had On Earth

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you<5426>, which was also in Christ Jesus:

From Robertson’s Word Pictures:

Let this mind be in you. "Keep on thinking this in you which was also in Christ Jesus". What is that? Humility. Paul presents Jesus as the supreme example of humility. He urges humility on the Philippians as the only way to secure unity.

A. The Philippians were to have the same “mind set” Christ had while on earth

B. That mind set was one of humility – others interests more important than His own

C. That Mind Set Was To Be Allowed To Control Their Actions

III. The Mindset Of Christ On Earth – Kenosis of Christ

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form<3444> of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation<2758>, and took upon him the form<3444> of a servant<1401>, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. {fashion: or habit}

A. Christ Always Existed as God (John 1;1; Colossians 1:17)

B. Christ Always Existed as the form (morphe – “True form that expresses God”)

C. Thought It Not Robbery (harpogmos – “treasure to be kept”)

1.  Equal with God – All God’s characteristics

2. Christ waived His rights to:

a. Express His deity

b. Display His divine attributes, but the anointing of Holy Spirit He displayed

c. Demonstrate His equality with God

d. Limited His power to the Holy Spirit through Him (Isaiah 42:1-7; 61:1-2)

e. Would have to grow in wisdom & knowledge (Isaiah 50:4-11)

D. Made Himself of no reputation – (kenoo – “emptied Himself of some attributes”)

E. Took upon Him the form (morphe – “exact form”) of a servant (dolos – “slave”)

F. Being found in the fashion as a man He became obedient to death

1. God’s will

2. Not His own self will as a man

3444 morfh morphe mor-fay’ - perhaps from the base of 3313; n f

form 3; 3

1) the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision

2) external appearance

725 arpagmov harpagmos har-pag-mos’ - from 726; TDNT-1:473,80; n m

robbery 1; 1

1) the act of seizing, robbery

2) a thing seized or to be seized – A treasure to be kept

2a) booty to deem anything a prize

2b) a thing to be seized upon or to be held fast, retained

2758 kenow kenoo ken-o’-o - from 2756; TDNT-3:661,426; v

make void 2, make of none effect 1, make of no reputation 1, be in vain 1; 5

1) to empty, make empty

1a) of Christ, he laid aside equality with or the form of God

2) to make void

2a) deprive of force, render vain, useless, of no effect

3) to make void

1401 doulov doulos doo’-los - from 1210; TDNT-2:261,182; n

servant 120, bond 6, bondman 1; 127

1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

1a) a slave

1b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

2) a servant, attendant

IV. Result Of The Kenosis Of Christ

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A. God Highly Exalted Christ

B. God Gave Him A Name Above Every Other Name

C. All Beings Will Bow Their Knees To Christ

1. Those in heaven

2. Those on earth

3. Those under the earth

D. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord

E. This glorifies the father

V. Exhortation To Allow God To Do His Work Of Sanctification

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; {harmless: or, sincere} {ye shine: or, shine ye}

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

A. Obeying God’s will is the result of having the same mind set Christ had as a man

B. Obeying God’s will is working out your own salvation – Salvation is three parts:

1. Justification – The result of God’s calling

2. Sanctification – The Process God is currently doing through the called

3. Glorification – The future process of God

C. That salvation – God’s will - is to be worked out with:

1. Fear

2. Trembling

3. This means: fearing to do this in their own power – Let God do it through them

VI. Illustration I- Paul’s Example Of Others Esteem

Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. {offered: Gr. poured forth}

Philippians 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

A. Paul is going to have joy no matter what happens to him

B. As Paul in chapter 1 would rather die – The Philippians were more important

C. The Philippians will rejoice even though suffering

VII. Illustration II - Timothy’s Example Of Others Esteem

Philippians 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. {But: or, Moreover}

Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. {likeminded: or, so dear unto me}

Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

Philippians 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Philippians 2:23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Philippians 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

A. Paul is going to send Timothy to Philippi

1. Paul desires to know the state of Philippians

2. Timothy is more concerned with Paul’s wishes than his own

B. Most other laborers are concerned with their own interests

C. Timothy is concerned with the interests of Christ

VIII. Illustration III - Epaphorus’s Example Of Others Esteem

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Philippians 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. {carefully: or, with more anxious care}

Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: {hold…: or, honour such}

Philippians 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

A. Epaphorus was not selfish in his ministry

B. Epaphorus was sent to Rome by Philippi with money for Paul

C. There in Rome Epaphorus became sick and almost died

D. Epaphorus was more concerned with others than self

1. He was more concerned with Paul’s interests

2. He was more concerned with the Philippians’ interests

The natural man has the mind set of “self esteem” and “looking out for number one.”  The spiritual man has submission to Christ and others esteem.