Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

2:1-11 In the midst of their persecution, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united and to live a humble life like Christ.

2:1-2 Is there . . . ? These rhetorical questions expect positive answers. Those who have a real experience of Christ should live together in harmony and love.

Verse 3

2:3-4 Don’t be selfish: Self-centeredness is antithetical to genuine care for others (cp. 2:20-21; 1 Cor 10:24; Gal 5:26).

Verse 6

2:6-11 This early Christian hymn is about Christ’s preexistence and divine nature, incarnation and death, exaltation and lordship.

2:6 Though he was God: See John 1:1-3; 17:5; Col 1:15.

Verse 7

2:7 he gave up his divine privileges (literally he emptied himself): The rest of 2:7-8 explains this ultimate expression of divine self-denial (cp. 2 Cor 8:9). • the humble position of a slave (or the form of a slave): Paul might have been thinking of Isa 52:13–53:12. • and was born as a human: See John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16.

Verse 8

2:8 in obedience to God: It was God’s will that Jesus die for the sins of humanity (see Isa 53:7; Matt 26:39; John 3:16; 10:17-18; Rom 5:8, 19; 8:3; Heb 5:8; 1 Jn 4:9-10, 14). • a criminal’s death on a cross: In the Roman Empire, crucifixion was a cruel and humiliating punishment for criminals.

Verse 9

2:9 As a result of Christ’s humble obedience, God elevated him to the place of highest honor; see Acts 1:9-10; cp. Acts 2:32-33; 7:55-56. • the name above all other names: Jesus has supreme authority and power (Phil 2:10-11; cp. Matt 28:18; John 17:5; Acts 2:33-36; Heb 2:9; 12:2).

Verse 10

2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.

Verse 12

2:12-18 Paul encourages believers to remain firm in their faith and to live faithful, obedient, and pure lives modeled after Christ.

2:12 obeying God (see John 3:36; Rom 1:5): Believers must reckon with God’s judgment like everyone else (cp. 1 Cor 3:10-13), so they must live before him obediently, with deep reverence and fear.

Verse 13

2:13 For God is working in you: God empowers and energizes believers’ lives (see John 15:5; 1 Cor 12:6; 15:10; 2 Cor 3:5; 1 Thes 2:13). Both the desire and the power to do what pleases him come from God.

Verse 14

2:14 Complaining and arguing arise from self-centeredness (see 1 Cor 10:10; 1 Pet 4:9; Jude 1:16), whereas believers are called to sacrificial love (Phil 2:4).

Verse 15

2:15 shining like bright lights: Believers are to draw people to God by their lives (see Matt 5:13-16). • in a world full of crooked and perverse people: See Deut 32:5; Rom 1:18-32; 3:10-23.

Verse 16

2:16 Hold firmly to the word of life: Believers must maintain their faith in Christ’s life-giving Good News. God is faithful, but they, too, must remain faithful (1:6; 2:12-13). • run the race: Paul frequently uses athletic language as a metaphor for the Christian life (see 3:12-14; 1 Cor 9:24, 26; Gal 2:2; 5:7; 2 Tim 4:7).

Verse 17

2:17-18 I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God: Both Jews and pagans often poured out a libation of wine either on a sacrifice or at the base of the altar in honor of the deity. Paul’s entire life was an offering to God (cp. Rom 12:1; 15:16). • Faithful service is a cause for rejoicing, because nothing done for God is in vain (see 1 Cor 15:58).

Verse 19

2:19-24 Paul commends Timothy, whom he hopes to send to the Philippians in the near future. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his first trip to Philippi (see Acts 16:1-3, 12; 17:15; 18:5; cp. Acts 19:22). Timothy stood out as a person whose whole life was sacrificially devoted to what matters to Jesus Christ and to the welfare of his people.

Verse 23

2:23 What is going to happen to me here possibly refers to the outcome of Paul’s trial.

Verse 24

2:24 Paul had confidence that he would soon be freed from prison and be able to visit the Philippians (see 1:19, 25-26).

Verse 25

2:25-30 Paul commends Epaphroditus (see also 4:18), a messenger from the church at Philippi whom he was now sending back to them, perhaps carrying this letter. • The description fellow soldier suggests the difficulties, opposition, and dangers encountered in Christ’s work.

Verse 27

2:27 Epaphroditus’s recovery from a nearly fatal illness is attributed to God’s mercy, both on Epaphroditus and on Paul, who was already suffering in prison.

Verse 29

2:29-30 Epaphroditus deserved their honor, for he risked his life for Christ on their behalf (for the importance of showing honor, cp. Rom 10:12; 13:7; Eph 5:33; 6:2; 1 Tim 5:17; 6:1; 1 Pet 2:17; 3:7).