Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Summary: Paul’s words about looking out for the interests of others echo similar words Jesus said when he was on earth.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone were looking out for me? I mean, really, think about it. If everyone looked out for me, I wouldn’t have to look out for me and I could look to the interests of others.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:4 – The Good Neighbor”
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Summary: In this passage, Paul challenges us to see things as God sees them.
There is a theme that runs through the Bible that goes something like this:
Continue reading “Philippians 2:3b – Perspective”
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Summary: Paul points out something to be aware of. The motives of this world can cause trouble in the fellowship of believers.
Would you describe what you do at work, at home, and for your church as something you do out of “selfish ambition of vain conceit?”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:3a – Motivation”
[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… and of one mind.
Summary: This text challenges us to examine the original text and the concepts that underly Paul’s message.
To begin this meditation, let’s look at Paul’s words in the New Living Translation:
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2, NLT)
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2e – Paul’s Passion”
[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… being one in spirit…
Summary: This passage challenges us to explore the meaning of the word Paul used for “one in spirit.”
Nestled between the “same love” and being “of one mind,” Paul inserted today’s passage: “… being one in spirit.”
Have you ever wondered why the text reads “spirit,” and not “Spirit?”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2d – Spiritual Harmony”[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… having the same love…
Summary: Having the “same love” as Christ is a challenge. Understanding why helps us to focus our efforts on serving God’s will.
Paul’s sentences are famously long and convoluted. In this passage, he begins with a series of “if’s,” and then, when he reaches his “then,” he asks his readers to “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2c – Two Kinds of Love”
… by being like-minded…
Summary: When Paul asks us to be like-minded, he challenges the very essence of our human desire to be in charge.
In this passage, Paul is imploring the Philippians to express their connection to Christ (Philippians 2:1) and complete Paul’s joy by demonstrating like-mindedness.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2b – The Road to Like-Minded”
… then make my joy complete…
Summary: Paul’s plea for unity among believers is one that echoes through the centuries and still haunts us today.
This phrase of Paul’s is heart-wrenching.
Paul, now an old man as he writes these words, is a prisoner. The man who was once free to roam the known world is now trapped like a bird in a cage. His heart longs to be with the Philippians, but his body is chained to the floor in Rome.*
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2a – In Search of Unity”
[Therefore] … if [you have] any tenderness and compassion …[from being united with Christ]
Summary: Paul points us to a softness of heart that forms inside the breast of each believer.
The emotion that Paul describes in this passage is not a shallow feeling. Paul is talking about an emotion that comes from deep inside. In fact, Strong’s points us to the root of tenderness as being in the spleen.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1d – A Gentle Whisper”
[Therefore] … if [you have] any common sharing in the Spirit,
Summary: In this portion of Paul’s passage about our relationship with Christ, Paul points us to our relationship with God’s Holy Spirit.
As we continue exploring Paul’s pre-flight checklist of spiritual connection to Christ, we come to this passage: “[Therefore] … if [you have] any common sharing in the Spirit…” (NIV).
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1c – Koinōnia”