After quoting what may be an early Christian hymn, Paul turns to application. His use of the word “therefore” indicates this. And what comes next is extremely valuable instruction.

Take a look at this week’s passage in Philippians 2:12-13:

Paul begins this passage with a linking word that connects what he is about to say directly back to the passage before it. In effect, this becomes the invitation to action that should be a direct result of what Paul has stated to this point.

What comes next though has been a source of disagreement for centuries. Paul make a statement that gives us a portion of the responsibility for our own salvation. He makes a statement that shows that we have a role to play.

If works could save us, then we would have no need for God’s grace in our lives. What we do would be enough to get us to heaven. But Paul, and several other New Testament writers, make a strong point that it is by God’s grace that we are saved.

But is that sufficient? Is there a need for human involvement in the process? Verse 12 seems to make this statement, giving the responsibility to the person. But verse 13 allows for God’s involvement at every level.

In this week’s passage, Paul finishes what is likely a very early hymn or stanza about the majesty of Christ. In the first few verses, this hymn speaks of his humility and his sacrifice. In these final verses, we see his exaltation to majesty.

You can see this for yourself in Philippians 2:9-11:

To this point, the focus has been on the humility Christ displayed in leaving behind his status and position at the right hand of God to become one of us, and being sacrificed for us. But now Paul shifts to the glory that God gives to Jesus because of this.

The opening word of verse 9 is “Therefore.” This means, based on what came before, now we see what the results are. This word ties the coming information directly back to the passage preceding it.

Another change is seen in who the focus is on. In the first verses, Jesus is the focus. But now, Paul shifts the focus to God himself, who transforms the humiliation of Jesus into glory.

A third difference in these verses is the number of Old Testament allusions compared with the first part of this hymn. These last verses contain more than the first ones do, displaying just how grounded this passage is in Old Testament theology.

Paul quotes what is quite possibly an early Christian hymn in this second chapter of his letter to the Philippians. This hymn speaks of Christ becoming nothing and suffering on the cross.

Look at this week’s part of this passage in Philippians 2:7-8:

In the first couple of verses in this poetic piece of the chapter, Paul stresses that Christ was equal with God. But he also stresses Christ’s humility, and in these verses, we see just how far that humility took him… All the way to the cross!

There are several actions that Paul states Jesus took in this process of humility. Let’s take each in turn:

Made himself nothing

Jesus voluntarily emptied himself of all of his rights as a part of the Godhead. He poured himself out totally for our sake. The depths of this we will never know this side of eternity, since we cannot fathom the mind of God in its entirety. But it is sufficient for us to know that he left everything he had for you and me.

After encouraging the Philippian believers, and us, to live with humility, Paul gives the ultimate example of humility in Jesus Christ.

Take a look at this passage in Philippians 2:5-6:

What better incentive to humility than the example of our Lord himself? This is the example Paul gives as he stresses this attitude for the believers in Philippi. In fact, the term “attitude” may be a little weak. A more literal rendering would be “mindset.” The thought is similar to the final verse of 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul states that we have the “mind of Christ,” although the Greek term used is different.

What Paul is saying here, in effect, is that we are to have the same mind as Jesus, in humility and in focus.

What follows has been debated for ages. Some believe that Paul writes the following verses, a poetic expression or hymn of worship. Others believe that Paul is quoting a more ancient source, an early hymn from before the date of Philippians, in the early 60s AD.

The language and structure are different than the rest of Paul’s letters, indicating that he may not have been the original author. However, the point of this passage is what matters, especially in light of Paul’s thoughts in chapter two.

In this first verse of the Christological hymn, there are two main sections.

As Paul moves into chapter two of his letter to the Philippians, he writes perhaps the most practical and much needed exhortation in the New Testament. His words here set up the comparison to Christ that will come in the following verses.

You can see this for yourself in Philippians 2:3-4:

Paul gives this practical instruction in the form of two negative terms followed by one positive term. This, in turn, is followed by a very practical example of how to do this, carrying on the thought of verse three.

All of this is in anticipation of the examination of Christ’s own humility, which is to come in the next few verses, quite possibly an old hymn that Paul uses to display this quality of Jesus.

But here, Paul specifies that we are to take emulate Jesus, by avoiding these negative qualities, and taking on the positive.

Negative Number 1 – Selfish Ambition

First, Paul states to do nothing out of selfish ambition. This is the spiritual sickness that rests in the heart of the church, potentially bringing its downfall. Paul uses this same word in Philippians 1:17, describing the divisiveness of his enemies. Here, it means more in line with petty squabbles and arguments. It is self-seeking, arrogant, and focused on nothing outside of one’s own self.

As Paul wrapped up the first chapter to his letter to the believers in Philippi, he encouraged them to stay positive and have a good attitude in the midst of struggles. As he begins the second chapter, he describes just what that kind of attitude looks like.

Take a look at this week’s passage in Philippians 2:1-2:

Paul’s focus as he begins this section of his letter is both encouragement and unity. If the Philippians have the same priorities as Paul does, then they should be striving towards the same goals. Since the Philippian church was facing opposition from external sources, which Paul mentioned in the previous chapter, in verse 27, these believers needed to draw themselves together for the sake of the gospel.

Since his focus is unity, he gives in this passage four motivations that the Philippians need to share. The old NIV doesn’t translate the word “therefore,” although it is there in the Greek. The newer NIV gets this right. That word links this text back to the struggles the Philippians were facing from without, and the connection is that they needed to focus on unity from within.

The four motives in verse 1 are followed by four results in verse 2. Let’s look at each in turn: