Philippians 2:1-4

The Call To Unity (Philippians 2:1).

In the light of the example of Christ into which they are to enter in their minds (‘let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus' - Philippians 2:5), and of the unifying power of love, and of the working of the one Holy Spirit, Paul calls on the Philippian Christians themselves to be fully one, ‘being of one accord and having one mind', and he desires that that one mind be a mind that partakes in Christ's mind as He walked in the pathway of total unselfishness and humility. Like Him they are not to be concerned for their own position or status or advancement, but rather to be concerned only with bringing the maximum benefit to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Their ambition was to be that of total selflessness, being centred on the good of the whole, whatever self-sacrifice that involved. Their ambition was to be that they might be concerned ‘only for the things of others'.

He was not, of course, suggesting that they neglect their own spiritual lives. Indeed he had already spoken about that in Philippians 1:27. Rather he was pointing out that if they were truly following the requirements he had laid down their thoughts would be centred, first on Christ and on the Holy Spirit, and then on the desire for the good of others which was central to Christ's own ministry.

Analysis.

a If there is therefore any encouragement (exhortation, advocacy, comfort) in Christ (Philippians 2:1 a).

b If any consolation (encouragement, exhortation) of love (Philippians 2:1 b).

c If any sharing in common with the Spirit (Philippians 2:1 c).

d If any tender mercies and compassions (Philippians 2:1 d).

c Make full my joy, that you be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:2).

b Doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself (Philippians 2:3).

a Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others (Philippians 2:4).

Note that in ‘a' the encouragement or comfort resulting from being ‘in Christ' (the One Who is the exemplar of self-emptying and sacrifice - Philippians 2:6), is in the parallel to result in total selflessness. In ‘b' the encouragement of the love of Christ (or of God) is in the parallel to encourage lowliness of mind, and lack of love for themselves as they rather love others. In ‘c' participating together in the one Spirit is, in the parallel, to result in oneness of mind among themselves. In ‘d', and centrally, we have the full abundance of tender mercies and compassions, both Christ's and theirs, which encompass the whole.