Philippians 2
Philippians 2 | |
---|---|
Book | Epistle to the Philippians |
Category | Pauline epistles |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 11 |
Philippians 2 is the second chapter of the
Text
The original text was written in Koine Greek. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
- Codex Vaticanus (AD 325-350)
- Codex Sinaiticus (330-360)
- Codex Alexandrinus (400-440)
- Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (~450; complete)
- Codex Freerianus (~450; extant verses 1-3, 12-14, 25-27)[4]
- Codex Claromontanus (~550).
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
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
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
- "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
- "Likeness": from
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
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
- Epaphroditus
- Knowledge of Christ
- Timothy
- Related Bible parts: Isaiah 66, John 1, John 8, John 14, John 20, Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 8, Galatians 5, Hebrews 7
References
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1179–1180.
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1181.
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1180.
- ^ Nestle-Aland, Novum Testamentum Graece, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, p. 610.
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1183.
- ^ a b Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), Meyer's NT Commentary on Philippians 2, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 1 June 2020
- ^ Philippians 2:1: King James Version
- ^ See the Douay-Rheims translation of that year, accessed 1 October 2023
- ^ Moule, H. C. G. (1898), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Philippians 2, accessed 1 October 2023
- ^ Philippians 2:1: NIV
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1184.
- ^ Philippians 2:5 RSV, ESV
- ^ Philippians 2:6 RSV, ESV
- ^ Philippians 2:7 RSV
- ^ a b c d John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, - Philippians 2:7
- ^ Philippians 2:8 RSV
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1186.
- ^ Murray 2007, pp. 1187.
- ^ Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England. London: Church House Publishing. 2000. p. 544.
- ISBN 0-89869-080-3.
Sources
- Coogan, Michael David (2007). Coogan, Michael David; Brettler, Marc Zvi; Newsom, Carol Ann; Perkins, Pheme (eds.). The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 (Augmented 3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195288810.
- Murray, Robert, SJ (2007). "69. Philippians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1179–1190. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.)
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External links
- Philippians 2 King James Bible - Wikisource
- English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
- Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
- Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)