Philippians 2

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==philippians 2:1-2:

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

==philippians 2:3:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself

Why don’t white evangelicals listen to Black Christians?
Many white evangelicals see their subculture and faith tradition as the norm or standard for “true” Christianity. They believe themselves to be the “gatekeepers of the faith.” Therefore, they are suspicious of any version of Christianity that departs from their own. In particular, many within white evangelicalism see the Black church experience as “emotional” and lacking intellectual rigor. This view is rooted in white supremacy and directly contradicts Paul’s admonition in Philippians 2:3, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” White supremacy in evangelical spaces does not demonstrate humility, but hubris. When white evangelicals bring this view into conversations with Black Christians, they display a blatant disregard for their lived experiences.
(Baptist News Global 10/14/25) READMORE>>>>

==philippians 2:4:

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Self-denial lives at the center of love. True love denies self and supports another. Putting others first should be more than an act of humility, but an act of affection. It’s not that we think so little of ourselves, but that we feel so warmly toward our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are happy to lay aside our interests and preferences so that another may experience blessing.

Dwight L Moody

“I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of selfishness and ambition and self-seeking and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit, ambition and self-seeking, pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. I also believe that many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us. There must be a n emptying before there can be a filling; and when the heart is turned upside down, and everything that is contrary to God is turned out, then the Spirit will come...” ― D.L. Moody

What is humility? Surprisingly, it is not a poor self-image, nor a denial of one’s gifts, abilities and accomplishments. C.S. Lewis describes humility not as having a low opinion of one’s talents and character but rather as self forgetfulness. This entails a radical honesty with ourselves about ourselves that begins to free us from the denials, pretences, and false images with which we deceive ourselves. Thus, John Wesley could describe humility as “…a right judgment of ourselves which cleanses our minds from those high conceits of our own perfections, from the undue opinions of our own abilities and attainments....” Paul calls us to this honesty when he says “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment... (Ro. 12.3). In other words, sober realism about who we are, what we are, and from Whom our gifts and abilities ultimately come is essential to developing humility. This comes as we invite the Holy Spirit, working through the Holy Scriptures, to search and illuminate truth and apply it to our hearts and minds. As we begin to come to terms with ourselves, good and bad, strengths and weaknesses, we can move beyond preoccupation with self to loving care and concern for our neighbor. How do we live in humility in the rough and tumble of daily life? Paul helps us when he says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2.3-4). Paul then urges us to imitate Christ’s example of servanthood. As we serve our neighbors in love, we will find ourselves growing in the humility of Christ—which lies at the heart of a truly spiritual life. --CS Lewis Institute; Reflections on Humility; 7.1.03

==philippians 2:5-8:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

No man will ever get into the Kingdom arrogantly. the mind of Christ was characterized by humility (vs 6 & 8), dependence upon God (John 5:19, 30), a determination to do the Fathers will (John 5:30; 6:38), thoughtfulness of others (Acts 10:38), and a willingness to sacrifice and suffer, and even to die, for the good of others (2 Cor 8:9, Rom 5:6-8, I Peter 2:24)

January 14, 2025: Joan Huyser-Honig & Demetrius Williams wrote: As a subject of the Roman empire, Paul was broadly exposed to and undoubtably influenced by the language, imagery, and ideology of empire. Caesar was seen as the chief priest, savior, lord, and “son of God” divinely chosen to bring about peace, unity, and prosperity through the will of the gods. A widespread media program of temples, statues of the reigning emperor, and Roman coinage reinforced this understanding throughout the empire.
But Paul saw Caesar as only an earthly lord—a human who desired divine status and ruled by dominance, force, cruelty, and military power. He told the Corinthians that there are “many gods” and “many lords” but reminded his audience, “yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Cor. 8:6, NIV).
Paul presented Jesus, who was crucified by Roman power, as the true and authentic alternative to Caesar. His followers must choose between Caesar and the crucified Savior, Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of divine privilege (Phil. 2:6–11). Jesus offers humankind the opportunity to share in his power and glory. He promises unity not by force and cruelty, but “by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself” (Phil. 3:21).

==philippians 2:9-11:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The church's earliest baptismal confession "Jesus Christ is Lord" was taken from here. A lord, sovereign, or God, for such is the meaning of kurios, is total owner and controller of us, and baptism means that God is now our Lord, our owner. Nothing can be withheld from Him.
The verses preceding these kind of set this up in that Paul writes about Jesus humbling himself, and in exchange God exalted him to the highest place. Humility is not about self humiliation or purposed self denigration. It is knowing our place in the universe. Jesus knew his place and was about the business he was sent to do. We, too, have business to take care of. We will then voluntarily meet our maker, at bended knee and purposed confession that He is Lord.. WE need to be in prayer for those who God will apparently have to bend their knee for them and instead of saying "Halleluljah, Jesus Christ is Lord!" will say "OMG. You R Real? Jesus Christ THE Lord?" And,,,yeah...I am kind of guessing they would rather be texting that message about then....
"Under the earth" the dead; among whom He was numbered once (Ro 14:9, 11; Eph 4:9, 10; Re 5:13). The demons and the lost may be included indirectly, as even they give homage, though one of fear, not love, to Jesus (Mr 3:11; Lu 8:31; Jas 2:19, Php 2:11).

==philippians 2:12-13:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Voddie Baucham

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). This is a classic imperative. “Work out” is a command, an imperative for the reader. However, the very next verse is in the indicative mood: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (v. 13). Here we are not told to “do” anything. We are merely told of the reality that makes it possible for us to do anything. --Voddie Baucham