Philippians 2
Head-piece to Philippians. Philippians 2:7-8. Print made by James Heath. 1800. Published by T. Macklin, London.
BookEpistle to the Philippians
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part11

Philippians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle about mid-50s to early 60s AD and addressed to the Christians in Philippi.[1] Jesuit theologian Robert Murray notes that a narrative in verses 5-11 about Christ, "who humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death" is central to this chapter.[2] German protestant theologian Ernst Lohmeyer argued in 1928 that verses 6–11 were an existing hymn about Christ which Paul quotes in his letter, a theory which "has come to dominate both exegesis of Philippians and study of early Christology and credal formulas".[3]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

This chapter is divided into 30 verses.

Unity of minds and hearts (2:1–4)

This section centers on Paul's appeal for unity of minds and hearts among the people, which can be expressed by four phrases: two using the keyword phronein ("of the same mind" or "of one mind"), then agape ("love") and sumpsuchoi ("united in soul" or "being in full accord").[5] Maintaining his reference to the joy which Paul already feels in respect to the Philippians (verses 1:4 and 1:25), he speaks of this joy being "made full, like a measure".[6]

Verse 1

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,[7]

Meyer notes Paul's use of "four stimulative elements", which are assumed to apply and are not conditional.[6] H. C. G. Moule notes that the word "bowels", as in the King James Version, was not used in any English version before 1582,[8] and offers "tender mercies and compassions", as in the Revised Version (1881), as better wording:[9] likewise the New International Version (1973 onwards) refers to "tenderness and compassion.[10]

Christ as the focus and model for discipleship (2:5–11)

Following the exhortation in the earlier section, Christ is pointed as the model for discipleship, with a poetic narrative "beyond Paul's usual vocabulary", but not necessarily beyond his capacity.[11]

Verse 5

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[12]

This verse uses the same word phronein ("mind") which Paul used at the start of this chapter.

Verse 6

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped[13]

Verse 7

but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [14]

This verse was interpreted in the following way by the 18th-century Baptist theologian John Gill:[15]

  • "Made Himself of no reputation" (KJV): or "nevertheless emptied himself"; he lost nothing of what he had, but the glory of his divine nature was covered and hid from the people so they reputed him as a mere man.[15]
  • "And took upon him the form of a servant" (KJV): voluntarily, was not obliged, or forced to be in the form of a servant, as was often prophesied in Isaiah 42:1; 52:13, Zechariah 3:8, also called in the Targum, "my servant the Messiah".[15]
  • "Likeness": from Ancient Greek: ὁμοίωμα homoiōma; "in the likeness of men", not the likeness of the first Adam, but of "sinful flesh", and was treated as a "sinner", although he was "equal to God".[15]

Verse 8

And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.[16]

The Desired Response (2:12–18)

Based on Christ's example, Paul exhorts the people to "work out your own salvation... for it is God who is at work".[17]

Timothy and Epaphroditus, Paul's Go-Betweens (2:19–30)

Two of Paul's helpers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, are introduced and the reasons for their journey are explained in this part, mainly to show Paul's affection to the people of Philippi.[18]

Liturgical use

In the Catholic Church Philippians 2:1-11 is appointed as the second reading on the 26th Sunday of Ordinary time in Year A of the Lectionary for Mass. Philippians 2:6-11 is appointed as the second reading at Mass on Palm Sunday; similarly in the Revised Common Lectionary, Philippians 2:1-13 is appointed as the Epistle lesson for Proper 21 in Year A, which may fall on any Sunday between September 25 and October 1, and Philippians 2:5-11 is appointed as the Epistle lesson on Palm Sunday.

In the Church of England Philippians 2:5-11 is appointed as the Epistle lesson for a second service on Christmas Day.[19]

In the Episcopal Church (United States), according to the Lectionary found in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), Philippians 2:9-13 is appointed as one of two options as the Epistle lesson for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus in Year A, celebrated on January 1.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1179–1180.
  2. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1181.
  3. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1180.
  4. ↑ Nestle-Aland, Novum Testamentum Graece, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, p. 610.
  5. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1183.
  6. 1 2 Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), Meyer's NT Commentary on Philippians 2, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 1 June 2020
  7. ↑ Philippians 2:1: King James Version
  8. ↑ See the Douay-Rheims translation of that year, accessed 1 October 2023
  9. ↑ Moule, H. C. G. (1898), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Philippians 2, accessed 1 October 2023
  10. ↑ Philippians 2:1: NIV
  11. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1184.
  12. ↑ Philippians 2:5 RSV, ESV
  13. ↑ Philippians 2:6 RSV, ESV
  14. ↑ Philippians 2:7 RSV
  15. 1 2 3 4 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, - Philippians 2:7
  16. ↑ Philippians 2:8 RSV
  17. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1186.
  18. ↑ Murray 2007, pp. 1187.
  19. ↑ Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England. London: Church House Publishing. 2000. p. 544.
  20. ↑ The Book of Common Prayer, According to the use of the Episcopal Church. New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation. 1979. p. 890. ISBN 0-89869-080-3.

Sources

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