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Dr. Scott Bryant
FBC Tyler
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
September 14, 2016
Philippians 2
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Phil. 2:1-4 “1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to
your own interests, but also to the interest of others.”
Chapter 2 marks a shift as Paul moves from talking about external threats to dealing with internal
threats conflict from within the church. He urged them to be unified as a community as they
faced persecution and now urges them to be united in spirit and purpose. The word translated
“if” can also be “since.” Paul appeals to what he knows they share, the love of Christ, fellowship
with the spirit, and their personal relationship. He makes another appeal to joy, almost like a
parent speaking to a child. The appeal focuses on oneness. Term for selfish ambition refers to a
greedy grasp for power by whatever means necessary. The emphasis in the congregation needs
to be on putting the needs of others in front of individual needs. Paul is directly addressing the
situation in the Philippi that has prompted the letter. Individuals have attempted some sort of
power play within the congregation. Appeal is two-fold, rely on the Spirit to enable you do so,
but also work to put the needs of others first.

Phil. 2:5-8 “5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; 6Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made
himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death –
even death on a cross!”
Think this in you. Call to collective respect within the community. Paul equates divinity to
servanthood. He does not take advantage of His equality with God and demand to be treated like
royalty with servants caring for His every need. Jesus acted on His attitude and gave up His
rights. He emptied himself meaning He nullified His status. This was demonstrated as served
humanity and became human. Servant in Greco-Roman culture was deprived of most basic
human rights. Made in the likeness of a human but fundamentally different too as He remained
sinless. Humility made clear as became a sacrifice for all of humanity. Christ went from the
highest position imaginable to the lowest precisely because such selfless love was an expression
of His divinity. Paul is not advocating that imitate the actions of Jesus but rather the attitude of
Jesus.
Questions to consider:
1) What does it look like to consider others better than yourself?
2) Is this only within the church?
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3) In what ways do we strive for equality with God?

Phil. 2:9-11 “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.”
God responded to the humility of Christ by elevating Him and giving Him the highest honor,
“the name above all names.” These were not rewards to expect but were honors freely given.
We can’t expect a similar elevation of course but we can anticipate being lifted up. “Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matt 23:12;
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1
Peter 5:6; “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Prov
29:23. The thrust of the passage indicates that no sacrifice of personal rights can compare to the
ultimate submission made by Christ.

Phil. 2:12-13 “12Therefore, 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, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his
good purpose.”
Therefore = in light of what Jesus did you need to demonstrate humility. Paul wants the
congregation to continue their good record of obedience to his instruction. Paul wasn’t
necessarily referring to his own authority and leadership but rather to the authority of the gospel
that he introduced to the church at Philippi. For Paul salvation is a future event associated with
the Day of the Lord. Followers of Christ are justified and forgiven by God at one point and it is
a past action. “Since we have been justified by Jesus’ blood, how much more shall we be saved
from God’s wrath through him” Romans 5:9. Working out salvation is similar to Phil 1:27
“conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel.” In verse 13 Paul reiterates that it is God
who is at work and the Philippians are supposed to act accordingly.
Questions for consideration:
1) Is there any area of life that you need to demonstrate humility?
2) Does the security of salvation limit our efforts to be more like Christ?

Phil. 2:14-16 “14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may
become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life
– in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did no run or labor for nothing.”
One of the ways they act consistent with God’s work in their lives is to stop complaining and
arguing. No one can argue that God wants his followers to argue and fight. The word for
complaining is the same greek word that was used in Greek translations of the Old Testament to
refer to the complaints of the Israelites when they were wandering through the desert. Exodus
17:3, “But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said,
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‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?’”
Numbers 14:2 “All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly
said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!’” The allusion to stars shining
bright is also a reference to the task of the Israelites, to be a light to all nations. Paul is passing
the task along to the church. It also indicates that he is teaching the story of Israel to the Gentile
believers. Paul also feels a sense of responsibility for the maturity and growth of the church at
Philippi. He feels that he will be judged by his work. He wants to have a good return for his
work.

Phil. 2:17-21“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. 18So you too should
be glad and rejoice with me.19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I
also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who
takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests,
not those of Jesus Christ.
Paul continues the imagery that he feels a burden of responsibility for their maturity and growth
and indicates that it is worth it if he is worn out because of their relationship. Even if his service
to them ultimately leads to his death he will celebrate and rejoice. He maintains the eternal
perspective and urges them to do the same. Rejoice is in the imperative mood so it is a
command. Not for flippant happiness but for abiding joy because of their commitment that they
will live a joy-filled life no matter how difficult life gets. He also points out that Timothy is a
model that they can follow as he regularly puts the needs of others before his own.
Questions to consider:
1) Do you need to check your attitude?
2) Is there someone in your life that takes a genuine interest in your welfare?
3) Who in your life do you take a genuine interest in their welfare?
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Phil. 2:22-24 –22But 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. 23I hope, therefore, to send
him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I
myself will come soon.
Paul and Timothy are listed as the authors of the letter so Timothy remains with Paul in some
capacity. When Paul’s situation is sorted out Paul will send Timothy to Philippi with a report
and update. But when the letter is written it is clear that Paul need Timothy to remain at his side
for encouragement and strength. It is also an indication that Paul is going to send Timothy to
check on their progress. How are they doing in relationship to putting the needs of others before
their own? He remains optimistic that he will be able to check on the church personally.
Question for consideration:
1) Who in your life is a great source of encouragement and strength?
2) Who needs you to be a great source of encouragement and strength?
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
Phil 2:25-30 “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take
care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was
ill. 27Indeed 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. 28Therefore 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.
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Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost
died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give
me.”
Epaphroditus was the messenger sent by the church to check on Paul’s status in jail but his return
was delayed because of illness. He is commending Epaphroditus for the desire that he has for the
people of Philippi. He tells the people of Philippi that his delay in returning was not intentional
but due to illness. Paul is not upset that Epaphroditus left his side but most likely encouraged
him to do so in order to reassure his church family that he was okay. Descriptive term “brother”
indicates the closeness of their relationship. “Fellow worker” indicates that Epaphroditus has
been working by his side. “Fellow solder” indicates that he has been injured/sick while on the
front lines. They are instructed to receive him with joy. Both Timothy and Epaphroditus serves
as models of humility and as individuals who put the needs of others before their own.
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