Tag: God

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Philippians 3:2a – Old and New

a stone bridge between to land masses. The side of the bridge spells out the word "HISTORY." It is a symbolic connection between the old a the new. In the middle of the bridge is the cross and the on the cross is Jesus. (Grok)

For it is we who are the circumcision…

Summary: Understanding what Paul means by “we who are the circumcision” requires a brief look back at the history of the Bible.   

In the Old Testament, circumcision was given by God to Abraham and every male that was with him (Genesis 17:10). When we talk about circumcision of the flesh in the Old Testament sense, we are talking about something that is uniquely male. Interestingly, when we talk about circumcision in the New Testament sense, it can apply to both men and women.

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Philippians 2:17b-18 – Paul’s Plan

Paul at the whiteboard (Grok)

I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Summary: Paul’s gladness puts all of our complaints in perspective when we consider that he is in chains while writing his letter. 

To put this passage into context, we have to look back to the beginning of Paul’s paragraph. His thought begins with these words: 

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” (Philippians 2:14). 

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Philippians 2:15b – Star Light

Artistic rendering of stars in space (Pixabay)

“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…

Summary: Paul’s words point us to one of the most important questions facing Christians: How do we know we are saved?   

What does he mean by suggesting that we can become “blameless and pure” (Philippians 1:15a) and “children of God without fault?” Is he suggesting that we can attain some level of perfection as believers in Christ? 

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Philippians 2:8a – Two Things

A picture of a leaf with two drops of water on it (Pixabay)

And being found in appearance as a man…

Summary: Paul is walking us through what it means to think like Jesus. His understanding of the Lord is reflected in the clarity of his description of what sets Jesus apart.  

Paul is in the middle of describing the mindset of Jesus Christ. 

Whatever you might think of Jesus, it seems obvious he was in a pickle. Here he was, the one through whom all things were made (John 1:3), reduced to being a social outcast in his own creation. (His disciple, Nathanael, when he found out Jesus was from Nazareth, said: “Can anything good come from there?” — John 1:46). 

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Philippians 2:6b – Fire and Ice

A picture of the earth floating in space. Half is on fire and half is covered in ice. (Grok)

[Jesus]… did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Summary: The nature of Jesus comes into focus in this passage. Understanding who Jesus is helps us understand how he wants us to live.   

Who, exactly, is Jesus? 

If you have read the Bible, or even if you have just heard about him from others, you probably know he is the “Messiah” (Matthew 16:16), the “Son of God” (Mark 1:1).

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