Frameworks:
Philippians chapter 2
FRAMEWORKS:
Philippians 2
In
this ‘Framework' we use our usual text PLUS comment style to enable
you, as simply as possible, to catch the sense of his writing.
[Chapter
2 Synopsis:
keep on growing in servant humility, maintaining and building
peace and unity so you stand out for Christ. We're hoping to send
Timothy to you soon but are returning Epaphroditus
to you now]
v.1-11
Imitating Christ's Humility
v.12-18
Do Everything Without Grumbling
v.19-24
Hopes to send Timothy soon
v.25-30
Returning Epaphroditus
v.1-11
Imitating Christ's Humility
[Passage
Synopsis: assuming you've been richly blessed by being ‘in Christ',
let love build an even stronger unity, looking up to one another
with Christ's servant-hearted humility, and develop the same obedience
that resulted in him being exalted and honoured in heaven with
the Father]
v.1,2
(thinking of
all you've received from being ‘in Christ', then be of one mind
with one love and one Spirit) Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if
any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, then
make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and of one mind.
v.3,4
(don't be selfish
but instead in humility look up to others, caring for them)
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves, not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests
of the others.
v.5
(think in the
same way as Christ) In
your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as
+
Christ
Jesus:
v.6,7
(for remember
although he was God he came as a servant in human likeness)
Who,
being in very nature God,
did
not consider equality with God something to be used to his own
advantage; rather, he made himself nothing
by
taking the very nature of a servant,
being
made in human likeness.
v.8
(and he humbled
himself, even to die for us) And
being found in appearance as a man,
he
humbled himself
by
becoming obedient to death—
even
death on a cross! +
v.9-11
(so his Father
has lifted him and his name above anyone else so every living
being will eventually have to bow before him and worship him )
Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place
and
gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow,
in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to
the glory of God the Father.
v.12-18
Do Everything Without Grumbling
[Passage
Synopsis: whether or not I'm with you, keep going all out as God
works out His purposes in you, making sure you maintain peace
and unity so you stand out in this world, to bless me so we can
rejoice together]
v.12,13
(so keep at
working on this salvation of yours as God works in you to achieve
His purposes) Therefore,
my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence,
but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling, for
it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil
his good purpose.
v.14-16
(do it without
objection or dispute so you will stand out in this world today,
to confirm I diodn;t waste my time) Do
everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become
blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped
and crooked generation.”
[Deut. 32:5] Then
you will shine among them like stars in the sky as
you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to
boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.
v.17
(if my life
is just being poured out for Him, I rejoice) But
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice
and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with
all of you.
v.18
(so rejoice
with me ) So
you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
v.19-24
Hopes to send Timothy soon
[Passage
Synopsis: I'm hoping to be able to send Timothy to you soon to
send me news, who stands out as my fellow worker concerned for
you]
v.19
(I want to send
Timothy soon) I
hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also
may be cheered when I receive news about you.
v.20,21
(he's unique
in his concern for you) I
have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your
welfare. For
everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus
Christ.
v.22
(but he's a
proven worker for the gospel) But
you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with
his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
v.23
(we'll have
to see what transpires but I hope he can some soon) I
hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with
me.
v.24
(and I will
as well, I'm sure) And
I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
v.25-30
Returning Epaphroditus
[Passage
Synopsis: we're sending you back your messenger Epaphroditus who
you sent to hep me. Yes, he's been seriously ill here but has
recovered, and so longs to see you that we're sending him back
to bless you]
v.25
(but your messenger,
Epaphroditus who you sent to bless me, can come back) But
I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom
you sent to take care of my needs.
v.26
(he longs to
see you and resassure you) For
he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he
was ill.
v.27
(for yes, indeed
he was very ill but he's recovered now) Indeed
he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not
on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
v.28
(so when I send
him to you, you can be blessed by him) Therefore
I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him
again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
v.29,30 (so
when he comes bless and honour him for what he's been through)
So
then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people
like him, because
he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make
up for the help you yourselves could not give me.