Given that today we are under house quarantine because of the COVID-19 [This has not happened since WW2 or maybe the 1918 Spanish Flu Quarantine], I think it best (for awhile) to just post the raw text from the bible and reflect on it alone.
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Colossians 3 New International Version (NIV)
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Instructions for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers,[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Footnotes:
Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
Paul’s Personal Interest in Them, 1-5. “As many as have not
seen my face in the flesh”, 1, is taken by some to mean that
Paul
had not been in Colossae. But there is no way of knowing
whether
it includes, or is in addition to, the “you" preceding.
The personal
greetings of 4:7-18 certainly indicate that Paul was well ac-
quainted in Colossae. ‚ He was hoping soon to come there, Philem
22,
(Philemon was one of
them). “Laodicea”, 1, was a nearby city,
about ten miles away. Paul had written them a Letter also,
along
with this one to the Colossians, 4:16. Some think it may
have been
a copy of the Ephesian Letter.
“The Mystery",
2. This may have been one of the pet words of
the “philosophers” of Colossae. It is used a number of
times,
12,26,27; 4:23, of certain
phases of God's purpose, hitherto un-
revealed. See note on Eph. 3:23-9.
The Philosophers of Colossae, 4:8. A philosopher is a man
who
spends his life trying to understand What he knows before he
starts that he cannot understand. Christ is the center of a
whole
system of truth, some of it very easy to understand, and
some
not so easy, stretching out to things “beyond the reaches of
our
souls”. A philosopher
sees in Christian teaching certain things
that fit in with his philosophy. He accepts Christ, and calls
him-
self a Christian. But in his thinking certain of his
philosophic.
abstractions are central, and Christ himself personally is
just a
sort of shadow in the background. We know people like that:
militant proponents of some pet theory or doctrine, but you
would never suspect them of having much love or admiration
for Christ personally.
Legalists, 16; 20-22. Unlike the philosopher, a man with a
more
practical turn of mind does not bother much about things he
cannot understand, but wants to know what to do to be 3
Chris-.
tian. He sees certain plain commandments, or what appear to
him to be plain commandments, and he obeys them. And to him
those commandments are central, and Christ himself
personally
is just a sort of shadow in the background. We know people
like
that too.
Who are Legalists? They are those who rest their salvation
on
themselves rather than on Christ. Of course, we want to believe
all the doctrines correctly, and to our utmost obey all the
com-
mandments. But, if,
in our thinking, we put too much stress on
what we believe or what we do, are we not perilously near to
resting our salvation on ourselves? Christ, not a doctrine,
not a
commandment is our Savior. He, not ourselves, is the basis
of
our hope. We must not minimize the necessity of believing
right
doctrines. But after
all, being a Christian is, essentially. Loving
Christ, a Person,
rather than believing this or that doctrine, or
obeying this or that
commandment. We believe doctrines or obey
commandments as unto
Christ. We must not love them more than
we love Him. If We love
a doctrine overmuch we are apt to grow
cross and sour toward
those who do not agree with-
our doctrine. If we
love a Person, Christ the Person. we grow like
Him. Paul, in this
Epistle, was aiming to correct the false doc-
trines of the
Judaizers on the one hand and the Greek philos-
ophers on the other,
and resultant compromise doctrines. But
even if our beliefs
are Scripturally sound there is such a thing as
exalting some truth
about Christ above Christ Himself. And when
we thus top the
balance of our partnership with Christ to our
own side we are
Legalists. It is possible to be a legalist over a
doctrine of Grace.
Worship of Angels, 18. Some were teaching that man is too
unworthy to approach
Christ directly: he needs the mediation of
angels. And they were
proud of their humility. We do not know
of any such teaching
today. But its counterpart remains in the
worship of the Virgin
Mary as an intermediary.
Asceticism. 20-23. The practices referred to are not
specified.
Self-imposed
austerities and self-chosen humiliations in certain
directions are of no
value in offsetting unrestrained sensual
indulgence in other
directions.
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Overview Colossians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc
From:
https://www.readscripture.org/
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Colossians 2 New International Version (NIV)
2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Spiritual Fullness in Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b] was put off when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[e]
Freedom From Human Rules
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Footnotes:
Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
Colossians 2:11 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.
Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
such passages as Eph 6:12, are a Biblical intimation that
there
are in the unseen world numerous varieties of persons and
gov-
elements of which our visible world is a tiny counterpart;
and
that Christ’s death not only made possible man’s redemption,
but became the means of restoring the broken harmony of the
whole vast universe.
Suffering for the Church. 24-29, to fill up that which is
lacking.
Not that the suffering of Christ is insufficient for our
salvation,
but the Church as a whole cannot arrive at perfection till
it has
gone through suffering. Paul was anxious to hear his share.
See I Pet 4. “The mystery". 26,27, see note on Eph 3:3.
“Christ in You. the Hope of Glory", 27 The essence of
Paul’s
message in this Epistle is this: Christ is the Head of the
Universe.
We approach Him directly, not through intermediary angels.
He,
not this or that philosophy, or this or that set of rules,
but Christ
Himself is our Wisdom, our Life. our Hope, of Glory. Being a
Christian, essentially, is Loving HIM. Living in HIM, a
Person, a
Glorious, Divine Person, through whom the universe was
created}
and in whom is entire
sufficiency for Man’s Redemption and
Eternal Perfection.
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Overview: Colossians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc
Overview Colossians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc
From:
https://www.readscripture.org/
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Colossians 1 New International Version (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[b]
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Footnotes:
Colossians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.
Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:7 Or slave
Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
Euodia and Syntyche, 2-3. Two women leaders, either of social
rank, or deaconesses, or those whose homes were used as
churches, who were allowing their personal differences to become
an annoyance to the church.
Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, 4-7. Joy is the predominant note of
this Epistle. Written by a man in prison, who for thirty years had
been mobbed, beaten, stoned, and" cuffed about. enough to make
the angels gasp. Yet he is overflowing with JOY. The very things
which would naturally tend to make him sour only added to his
happiness. It is simply amazing what Christ can do in one's life.
“The Lord is at hand”, 5: Paul had said. ten years earlier, in
II Thes 2, that the Lord would not come till after the Apostasy:
but that apostasy was working fast in some of Paul’s churches,
and he never got his mind completely off the approaching near-
ness of the Lord's Coming. This was one of the secrets of his
perennial joy. Another was his unceasing prayer With thanks-
giving. 6. Gratitude to God for what He does give us will surely
incline Him to grant what we do not have.
The Coming of Epaphroditus, 10-20. He had brought the offer-
ing of money to Paul, 18. Paul was profoundly grateful. for as a
prisoner he had no means of sustenance except what the prison
allowed. The most beautiful and exquisitely delicate touch in
this entire Epistle is in 1'7, where, in thanking them for the
money, he tells them that he appreciated it, not so much because
he needed it, though he did need it sorely, 2:25, but because it
gave them a share in the rewards for his work, “fruit credited to
their account". Because they supported him, his work was theirs.
In the Final Day they would be rewarded for the multitudes of
souls they had helped him to save. The lesson holds for us, in our
missionary offerings, of the modern world, Each offering, just a
mite of an offering, does not amount to much. But even as the
tiny raindrops that fall all over the central part of the North
American continent make possible the torrent that rolls over
Niagara Falls, so these mites pf offerings from hundreds of
thousands of Christians all over the land together constitute the
stream of funds which is supporting the vast army of foreign
missionaries out on the far-flung battle lines of the Cross, endur—
ing hardships for Christ we would not think of enduring here
at home, the noblest army of men and women the sun ever shone
on. Those who, by their offerings to Missions, make themselves
а part of this mightiest movement of all the ages, will. in the
day of final reckoning, be entitled to share in its rewards.
Social Standing of NT Christians, 22, “they of Caesar's house—
hold", from the palace of Nero. Most of the early Christians were
of the humbler classes. Many of them slaves. But there were
some prominent people among the converts, as these from
Caesar’s palace. The treasurer of Ethiopia, Acts 8:27. Cornelius
the centurion, Acts 10:1. A foster-brother of Herod, Acts 13:1.
Proconsul of Cyprus, Acts 13:12. Chief women nota few of
Thessalonica, Acts 17:4. Greek women of honorable estate in
Berea, Acts 17:12.'City treasurer of Corinth, Rom 16:23. Joanna
the wife of Herod’s steward, Lk 8:3.
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Overview: Philippians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU
Overview Philippians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU
From:
https://www.readscripture.org/
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Philippians 4 New International Version (NIV)
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.[a]
This One thing, 1-21. The background of the picture in this
chapter seems to have been the appearance in Philippi of the
Judaizers, though they had not made much headway, emphasiz-
ing the observance of the Law, quarreling over un—essential mat-
ters, with dispositions like dogs, 2. Paul himself had possessed the
righteousness of the Law, which they were preaching, in a marked
degree, 4-6. But he now counted it as “refuse", 8 His whole
dependence was on Christ. His one aim was to know Him.
Paul pictures himself as in a race, straining every nerve and
muscle, and exerting every ounce of strength, like a runner,
with bulging veins, lest he come short of the goal. That goal was
that he might attain unto the resurrection from the dead, 11.
This was the secret of Paul's life. He had had a glimpse of the
glory of Heaven, II Cor 12:4, and was determined that for him-
self he would, by the grace of. Christ, get there, with as many
others as he could possibly persuade to come along. This chapter
is one of the fullest of Paul’s statements of his own personal hope
of heaven. “Citizenship", 20, Strangers here, our homeland
is there. Our walk here. our hearts there.
The world does not understand Christians, because their power,
their hope, their fame and their lord Satan, is here on earth.
Paul writes of them: "many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach,
and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on
earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven.
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Overview: Philippians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU
Overview Philippians Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU
From:
https://www.readscripture.org/
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Philippians 3 New International Version (NIV)
No Confidence in the Flesh
3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
An Example of Humility, 1-11. There is less of rebuke in this
Epistle than in most NT books. But we wonder, from the connec-
tion in which this charming exhortation to humility is set, if per-
haps Epaphroditus had brought Paul hints that there were seeds
of faction in the pride of certain Philippian leaders, as, possibly,
Euodia and Syntyche, 4:2. “A thing to be grasped”,
The Humility and Suffering of Christ are often set
over against his Exaltation and Glory, as in 8-11. See Heb 2:9-10;
I Pet 1:11.
His Joy in the Day of Christ, 2:12-18. Paul conceived of earthly
friendships as continuing on into eternity. He expected his happi-
ness to come to a head in greeting his beloved friends
in the upper kingdom, at the feet of Jesus, his own offering to
the Lord, saved forever, because he himself had brought them to
Jesus, 16.
His Plan to Return to Philippi, 19-30. This reads as if he were
expecting his trial to come to a speedy end, specially in 24. There
is rio hint here of going on to Spain. as he had planned originally,
Rom 15:24. His long imprisonment seems to have changed his
plans. The commonly received view is that he was acquitted, and
did re-visit Philippi and other churches in the East, I Tim 1:3.
The theory thus that he was later rearrested, brought back to
Rome, and executed, some five years later.
2 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 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 labor in vain. 17 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. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 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. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 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. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 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. 28 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. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 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.
Footnotes:
Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
Philippians 2:7 Or the form
Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
& & &
Short Bible Study of Philippians 2. (14:10 minutes)
The Branch Church
& & & Philippians 1 Philippians 1 New International Version (NIV) 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Life Worthy of the Gospel 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Footnotes: Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12. Philippians 1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
