Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
Banana muffins made with four bananas … they are yummy.
Banana muffins made with four bananas … they are yummy.
v.3 Paul instructs them to do nothing out of ‘selfish ambition’ even though back in 1:17 he says it didn’t matter that some preached Christ out of selfish ambition. As Nate pointed out in the last chapter we are not told the outcome of those who preached out of wrong motives and it seems Paul wants better things for his friends at Philippi.
Banana muffins sound great, Wendy.
v.3 Paul instructs them to do nothing out of ‘selfish ambition’ even though back in 1:17 he says it didn’t matter that some preached Christ out of selfish ambition. As Nate pointed out in the last chapter we are not told the outcome of those who preached out of wrong motives and it seems Paul wants better things for his friends at Philippi.
Banana muffins sound great, Wendy.
I’vde brought the ice cold milk to wash the muffins down with. UMMM UMMM!!
The first part outlines why I believe church to be an equal community rather than a leader with followers. The best leader would be the most humble, and serve the others. Not put himself out there to have followers. Do nothing for yourseves and always think of others. Have others in your mind always. I like those sentiments.
Next it talks about them continuing to to the work that Paul set them up to do. Then for the last part it gets weird. Talking about Paul visiting, or sending Thomas, or sending Epaphroditus. HUH? Anyone understand that part?
I’vde brought the ice cold milk to wash the muffins down with. UMMM UMMM!!
The first part outlines why I believe church to be an equal community rather than a leader with followers. The best leader would be the most humble, and serve the others. Not put himself out there to have followers. Do nothing for yourseves and always think of others. Have others in your mind always. I like those sentiments.
Next it talks about them continuing to to the work that Paul set them up to do. Then for the last part it gets weird. Talking about Paul visiting, or sending Thomas, or sending Epaphroditus. HUH? Anyone understand that part?
My introduction to Philippians says this: “Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome about AD 60.The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift. While Epaphroditus was in Rome, he became sick, and the Philippians Christians were worried about him. After he was better, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter.”
It seems Paul was confident of getting out of prison and visiting the Philippians v.24 but first he was planning to send Timothy v.23 once he knew what the authorities were planning to do with him.
It seems to me that Paul did “put himself out there to have followers”. Yet I don’t find this incompatible to him being humble and serving others.
My introduction to Philippians says this: “Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome about AD 60.The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift. While Epaphroditus was in Rome, he became sick, and the Philippians Christians were worried about him. After he was better, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter.”
It seems Paul was confident of getting out of prison and visiting the Philippians v.24 but first he was planning to send Timothy v.23 once he knew what the authorities were planning to do with him.
It seems to me that Paul did “put himself out there to have followers”. Yet I don’t find this incompatible to him being humble and serving others.
v.2 “…intent on one purpose.”
a tremendous challenge, even today.
in fact, i think the first 4 verses present a beautiful picture of what could be. if only we could be united in mind and spirit and purpose. not unlike the concept of nimrod.
v.5 “Have this attitude…”
this section presents a comprehensive summation of jesus and his interaction with god and humanity in the big picture, with paul’s point being that we should be so humble and obedient.
i again have to apologize for going down this road, but it is something i have been studying for 2 years and this book has much on the subject.
v.6 “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”
the form of god? a verse that has been used in the past to “prove” the divinity of jesus. yet, to me, when closely examined, only says “the FORM of god.” which makes me think of “a spirit being.”
the reason i think this is that paul backs up this statement(the form of god) immediately by saying that jesus (in his “form”) “did not regard equality with god a thing to be grasped.” though paul is not painstakingly clear at this point. equality for whom? for himself? for humans? for all beings?
and if jesus, in pre-human spirit form didn’t consider it a possibility for us to be equal with god, then he indeed came to save us and free us from yet another burden from the OT law, “be holy, for I am holy”, because he apparently knew it was too much for us.
and in yet another case, jesus stands in the gap for us.
which begs so many questions for me. (surprising, i know.) was this the plan from the beginning? did the father intentionally make unreasonable demands in the past so his son could come in and be our saviour from all of these things?
v.2 “…intent on one purpose.”
a tremendous challenge, even today.
in fact, i think the first 4 verses present a beautiful picture of what could be. if only we could be united in mind and spirit and purpose. not unlike the concept of nimrod.
v.5 “Have this attitude…”
this section presents a comprehensive summation of jesus and his interaction with god and humanity in the big picture, with paul’s point being that we should be so humble and obedient.
i again have to apologize for going down this road, but it is something i have been studying for 2 years and this book has much on the subject.
v.6 “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”
the form of god? a verse that has been used in the past to “prove” the divinity of jesus. yet, to me, when closely examined, only says “the FORM of god.” which makes me think of “a spirit being.”
the reason i think this is that paul backs up this statement(the form of god) immediately by saying that jesus (in his “form”) “did not regard equality with god a thing to be grasped.” though paul is not painstakingly clear at this point. equality for whom? for himself? for humans? for all beings?
and if jesus, in pre-human spirit form didn’t consider it a possibility for us to be equal with god, then he indeed came to save us and free us from yet another burden from the OT law, “be holy, for I am holy”, because he apparently knew it was too much for us.
and in yet another case, jesus stands in the gap for us.
which begs so many questions for me. (surprising, i know.) was this the plan from the beginning? did the father intentionally make unreasonable demands in the past so his son could come in and be our saviour from all of these things?
Of course Jon. I am rereading Dune right now. You know the Frank Herbert book. And that really crappy Sting movie. It has the same theme in it. Baron Harkkonen has placed his stupid ugly nephew up on Arrakis to subjugate the population and hate him. Then the Baron will come in with his other nephew, the heir, and remove the old, and bring in the new softer gentler Harkkonen there as the savior of them. Pretty common theme.
But, I left a longer response to this at your site.
Of course Jon. I am rereading Dune right now. You know the Frank Herbert book. And that really crappy Sting movie. It has the same theme in it. Baron Harkkonen has placed his stupid ugly nephew up on Arrakis to subjugate the population and hate him. Then the Baron will come in with his other nephew, the heir, and remove the old, and bring in the new softer gentler Harkkonen there as the savior of them. Pretty common theme.
But, I left a longer response to this at your site.
v.6 makes me think of people in society who ‘grasped’ at the tiniest bit of power, influence, control because it gives them a feeling of significance and importance. I’m thinking of people who hang onto positions in social groups like the sporting clubs, service organizations etc. purely for the sense of significance it gives them. Whereas Jesus didn’t need to ‘grasped’ onto anything not even real power – equality with God – because Jesus didn’t need outward things to feel significance as he knew who he was, where he had come from and where he was going.
In the NIV v.6 starts with “Who, being in the very nature God …”
v.6 makes me think of people in society who ‘grasped’ at the tiniest bit of power, influence, control because it gives them a feeling of significance and importance. I’m thinking of people who hang onto positions in social groups like the sporting clubs, service organizations etc. purely for the sense of significance it gives them. Whereas Jesus didn’t need to ‘grasped’ onto anything not even real power – equality with God – because Jesus didn’t need outward things to feel significance as he knew who he was, where he had come from and where he was going.
In the NIV v.6 starts with “Who, being in the very nature God …”
v.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
We are suppose to have the same mindset, the same attitude, the same thinking as Christ.
It seems Paul's concern here is unity (v.1) and he knew the way to get unity is to encourage humility.
v.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
We are suppose to have the same mindset, the same attitude, the same thinking as Christ.
It seems Paul's concern here is unity (v.1) and he knew the way to get unity is to encourage humility.
v.13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
From commentary (Constable):
"Here he reminded them that God was at work not just with them but in them to provide motivation and enabling strength (Gr. energein, from which we get the word "energy")."
God provides enabling strength (energy). We need to learn to receive his provision.
v.13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
From commentary (Constable):
"Here he reminded them that God was at work not just with them but in them to provide motivation and enabling strength (Gr. energein, from which we get the word "energy")."
God provides enabling strength (energy). We need to learn to receive his provision.
v.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.
Interesting that Epaphroditus was ill and almost died (v.27) yet it seems there was not an instanteous invention from God in this case, even though Paul had healed others.
Healing is not something we do but rather something God does.
v.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.
Interesting that Epaphroditus was ill and almost died (v.27) yet it seems there was not an instanteous invention from God in this case, even though Paul had healed others.
Healing is not something we do but rather something God does.
v.28 and I may have less anxiety.
Paul experienced anxiety! Sometimes we get the idea that Paul was super human, but he was not.
v.28 and I may have less anxiety.
Paul experienced anxiety! Sometimes we get the idea that Paul was super human, but he was not.
v.14-16 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.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
God has given us so much. He has given us love, peace, joy, eternal life, hope, grace, mercy even His own Son. But when we complain we are saying this is not enough, we want more.
Also if we do not complain or argue it will be obvious to those around us that we are Christians. We will stand out like stars against a black background. It is remarkable to think that we can have such a big impact by simply not complaining.
v.14-16 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.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
God has given us so much. He has given us love, peace, joy, eternal life, hope, grace, mercy even His own Son. But when we complain we are saying this is not enough, we want more.
Also if we do not complain or argue it will be obvious to those around us that we are Christians. We will stand out like stars against a black background. It is remarkable to think that we can have such a big impact by simply not complaining.
v. 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.
Paul writes about 2 offerings. The offering of his life and the sacrifice and service of their faith. Wordly thinking would tell us that offerings lead to loss but in God that lead to joy.
v. 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.
Paul writes about 2 offerings. The offering of his life and the sacrifice and service of their faith. Wordly thinking would tell us that offerings lead to loss but in God that lead to joy.