Philippians 2:1-11
1 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Intent on one purpose: From the beginning of this chapter Paul has been talking about conduct that is worthy for Christians. Here Paul continues the theme by further defining what this worthy behavior looks like. Ultimately, the worthy life is not a life of making one somehow deserving of God’s love, it is about loving one another in light of God’s love. We are to express the affection and love of Christ to one another for the sake of the faith. This love breeds unity which in turn testifies to God’s saving work in the world.
Do nothing from selfishness: Paul is not asking Christians to be without personal interests or individual persons. He is trying to cultivate an atmosphere of love in which we consider the desires and needs of others in addition to our own. God wants us to so know His love for us that we freely give this love to others by being aware of their needs. Therefore, Paul’s words assume that Christians are aware of all that they have in Christ. But if we become distracted from God’s love, then loving and serving others will feel like performance before God. Knowing God’s love, however, makes the lifestyle of love natural for the believer.
Something to be grasped: Paul uses Christ as the ultimate example of humility. Christ, the Lord Himself, did not need to grasp at godliness because He knew His identity. He knew that He was God and could not become more righteous. Similarly, believers do not need to grasp for godliness because Christ has given it to us as a free gift.
Name which is above every name: The cross of Christ brings us total forgiveness and freedom from the law, and the name of Christ brings us life and a whole new identity.
Every knee will bow: This is not a statement about universalism but rather the lordship of Christ and how it will be recognized by all. This elevation of Christ’s lordship is contrasted with His decision to incarnate as a human. Christ revealed the nature of God by becoming a servant and in turn He was elevated by the Father above all creation.
