Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 1 Commentary
Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection Questions
Philippians 2:1-2
- How do “encouragement in Christ”, “comfort from love”, “participation in the Spirit”, and “affection and sympathy” lead a person to “being in full accord and of one mind” with other believers? Which of these do I need to experience at a greater level? How can I be in “full accord” and “of one mind” with other believers within this body of Christ?
Philippians 2:3-4
- What does it look like to “count others more significant than” myself? Who are the people whose interests I need to look after?
Philippians 2:5-8
- Reflect on what Jesus is like based on vv. 6-8. How does this contrast with what human beings are like? In what ways does “grasping” characterize my life?
Prayer