Philippians 2

Paul begins with "Therefore" (2:1). It points back to what he just said. They are in one struggle together, so they need to be one.

Then he gives four "if" lines. If Christ has encouraged them. If his love has comforted them. If they share in the Spirit. If they have any tenderness and kindness. Paul knows the answer is yes to all four.

Then he asks them to make his joy complete. They can do it by being of one mind, having the same love, and being united in spirit and purpose.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (2:3). Humility means not thinking you are better than other people.

Look out for your own needs, Paul says, but also look out for the needs of others.

Then Paul shows them what this looks like. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (2:5).

What comes next sounds like a song or a poem. Many scholars think it may be one of the first Christian hymns.

Jesus existed "in the form of God" (2:6). He was equal with God. But he did not hold on to that for himself.

Instead, he "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness" (2:7). He became a human being.

He humbled himself and obeyed God all the way to death, "even death on a cross" (2:8). The cross was the most shameful death the Romans used.

Then the song turns. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names" (2:9). Exalted means lifted up high.

One day, at the name of Jesus, "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (2:10).

And every tongue will confess "that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:11). Confess here means to say out loud that it's true.

"Therefore" again (2:12). They have always obeyed, Paul says, when he was with them. Now that he is away, they should obey even more. "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12).

This doesn't mean they earn their salvation. The very next line says why. "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" (2:13). God gives both the wanting and the doing.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, Paul says.

Then they will be blameless and pure, God's children, in a world that has gone crooked. Among those people, "you shine as lights in the world" (2:15).

They hold out the word of life to others. Then, on the day Christ comes, Paul will be able to be proud that his work with them was not wasted.

Paul pictures his own death. He may be "poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith" (2:17). A drink offering was wine poured out on top of a sacrifice, as a gift to God. This is a comparison. Their faith is like the sacrifice. Paul's life is like the wine poured on top of it.

Even so, Paul is glad and rejoices with them. And they should be glad and rejoice with him.

Now Paul shares his plans. He hopes to send Timothy soon, so Timothy can bring back news of them.

Paul has no one else like Timothy, who truly cares about them. Everyone else looks out for himself, Paul says, and not for Jesus.

They know Timothy. He has served with Paul like a son with his father. Paul will send him as soon as he knows what will happen at his trial. And Paul trusts the Lord that he will come soon himself.

But first, Paul is sending back Epaphroditus. The church had sent him to bring Paul their gift and to help him. Paul calls him "my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier" (2:25).

Epaphroditus is homesick for them. He is upset because they heard he was sick. And he really was sick. He nearly died.

"But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow" (2:27).

So Paul is eager to send him home. The church will rejoice to see him, and Paul will be "less anxious" (2:28).

They should welcome Epaphroditus with great joy and honor people like him. He nearly died doing Christ's work. He risked his life to help Paul in the ways the church couldn't from far away.