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4 Then I called upon the name of the
LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
2:2 fulfill my joy. This can also be translated
Proverbs 26:28 “make my joy complete.”Paul’s joy was tied to
28 A lying tongue hates those who are a concern for the unity of believers (Heb.
crushed by it, 13:17). like-minded. The Greek word means
And a flattering mouth works ruin. “think the same way.” This exhortation is not
optional or obscure, but is repeated through-
Philippians 2:1–30 out the New Testament (Rom. 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10;
2 Cor. 13:11–13). same love. Believers are to
Therefore if there is any consolation in love others in the body of Christ equally—not
2 Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellow- because they are all equally attractive, but by
ship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, showing the same kind of sacrificial, loving
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the service to all that was shown to them by
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Christ.one accord.This may also be translated
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition “united in spirit”and perhaps is a term special-
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each ly coined by Paul. It literally means “one-
esteem others better than himself. Let each of souled” and describes people who are knit
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you look out not only for his own interests, but together in harmony,having the same desires,
also for the interests of others. passions, and ambitions.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, 2:6 being in the form of God. Paul affirms
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did not consider it robbery to be equal with that Jesus eternally has been God. The usual
God, but made Himself of no reputation, tak- Greek word for “being” is not used here.
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ing the form of a bondservant, and coming in Instead, Paul chose another term that stresses
the likeness of men. And being found in the essence of a person’s nature—his continu-
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appearance as a man, He humbled Himself ous state or condition. Paul also could have
and became obedient to the point of death, chosen one of two Greek words for “form,”but
even the death of the cross. Therefore God he chose the one that specifically denotes the
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essential, unchanging character of some-
also has highly exalted Him and given Him thing—what it is in and of itself. The funda-
the name which is above every name, that at mental doctrine of Christ’s deity has always
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the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of encompassed these crucial characteristics
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of (John 1:1,3,4,14; 8:58; Col. 1:15–17; Heb. 1:3).
those under the earth, and that every tongue not…robbery. The Greek word is translated
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should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the “robbery” here because it originally meant “a
glory of God the Father. thing seized by robbery.”It eventually came to
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always mean anything clutched, embraced, or prized,
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now and thus is sometimes translated “grasped” or
much more in my absence, work out your own “held on to.”Though Christ had all the rights,
salvation with fear and trembling; for it is privileges,and honors of Deity—which He was
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God who works in you both to will and to do worthy of and could never be disqualified
for His good pleasure. from—His attitude was not to cling to those
14 Do all things without complaining and dis- things or His position but to be willing to give
puting, that you may become blameless and them up for a season. equal with God. The
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harmless, children of God without fault in the Greek word for “equal” defines things that are
midst of a crooked and perverse generation, exactly the same in size,quantity,quality,char-
among whom you shine as lights in the world, acter, and number. In every sense, Jesus is
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may equal to God and constantly claimed to be so
rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run during His earthly ministry (John 5:18;
10:33,38; 14:9; 20:28; Heb. 1:1–3).
in vain or labored in vain.
17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink
offering on the sacrifice and service of your one like-minded, who will sincerely care for
faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For your state. For all seek their own, not the
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the same reason you also be glad and rejoice things which are of Christ Jesus. But you
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with me. know his proven character, that as a son with
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timo- his father he served with me in the gospel.
thy to you shortly, that I also may be encour- 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon
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aged when I know your state. For I have no as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the
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