Philippians Chapter 2 has several guidelines concerning love, humility, selflessness and unity.
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Doing Things with Humility
Paul begins Philippians Chapter 2 by saying if anyone has any comfort, encouragement, or tenderness from the love of Christ, they should make his joy complete by acting in a way that would be pleasing to Jesus. This means that they should refrain from doing things out of their own selfish ambition.
Paul said that when they do the works that are set out for them, they should not think of themselves. Instead, they should think of benefiting others. He told them to have the same mindset as Jesus when it comes to the relationships they have with everyone they encounter.
The Humility of Jesus
To support his point, Paul mentioned the humility of Jesus. He said that He came down to earth as a servant and not to be served. He did not come looking for people to treat Him differently or more special. Instead, He made himself a bondsman. He separated Himself from the deity in order to be with the people.
Jesus was no longer God on earth. He did not act as if He was better than anyone else. He was a servant to all whom He encountered. Because of this humility, God put Him in the highest place and gave Him the greatest name. One day, Paul said, every knee will bow to Him and proclaim that He is Lord.
The Importance of Being Cheerful
Paul urged the Philippians to do everything without grumbling or complaining. He said they should remain cheerful until the day of the Lord arrived. This was so that they would be blameless. Paul said they were part of a crooked generation and they should shine like stars as the children of the Lord.
Philippians Chapter 2 concludes with news of Timothy’s visit. He was sent to them so that he could bring good cheer. Paul also said that he would visit him soon and send back Epaphroditus, a brother in Christ who was well-received by the Philippians.
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Philippians 2 (King James Version)
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,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
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;
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.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
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.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
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.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
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.
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.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.