ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Philippians 2

Phil. 2:1–30 Encouragement to Humble Service. Paul calls the Philippians to unite in love and humility (vv. 1–4), following Christ’s example (vv. 5–11). They are to live as lights in the world (vv. 12–18), as do Christ’s faithful servants Timothy (vv. 19–24) and Epaphroditus (vv. 25–30).

Phil. 2:1–2 Paul knows that encouragement, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy are realities in Christ and are present in the congregation at Philippi. He uses a conditional sentence (if) to lead the Philippians to reflect on whether these qualities are evident in their lives. of the same mind. They are to use their different gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12) in a cooperative way, focusing on God’s glory.

Phil. 2:3–4 Paul realizes that everyone naturally looks out for his or her own interests. The key is to take that same level of concern and apply it also to the interests of others. Such radical love is rare, so Paul shows its supreme example in Jesus’ life (vv. 5–11).

Phil. 2:5–11 This passage is often referred to as the “hymn of Christ.” Paul describes Christ’s example of service in a poem that traces his preexistence, incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. Paul wrote this magnificent hymn to encourage the Philippians to consider other people’s interests first (see v. 4). Verses 6–11 have some clear indications of poetic structure, leading some to believe that this is a hymn adapted by Paul. It is just as likely, however, that Paul wrote the hymn specifically for this setting. In view of the many theological questions that arise in these verses, it is important to keep two things in mind: (1) these verses were written not to create theological debate but to encourage greater humility and love; and (2) the summary of Christ’s life and ministry here is not unique. The same themes are evident throughout the NT.

Phil. 2:5 The believer’s mind needs to think about the proper example, if life is to be lived for God. Scholars debate whether this mind-set is received by virtue of being united to Christ (which is yours in Christ Jesus), or by following the model of Christ (esv footnote: “which was also in Christ Jesus”). The latter idea is more popular, but both ideas are true. In either case, the central theme of vv. 1–5 is the same: the Philippian church should be of one mind (v. 2), united by love (v. 2) and humility (v. 3), and looking out for the interests of others (v. 4).

Phil. 2:6 Prior to his incarnation as a human being, Jesus was in the form of God. This phrase refers to the “preexistence” of Christ. The eternal Son was with the Father (John 1:1; 17:5; 24) before he was born in Bethlehem. “Form” here means the true and exact nature of something, possessing all the characteristics and qualities of that thing. Therefore having the “form of God” is essentially the same as having equality with God. It is directly contrasted with having the “form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7). The Son of God is and always has been God. See also Heb. 1:3 and Col. 1:15. Remarkably, Christ did not imagine that having “equality with God” (which he already possessed) should lead him to hold onto his privileges at all costs. It was not something to be grasped, to be used for his own benefit or advantage. Instead, he had a mind-set of service.

Phil. 2:7 emptied himself. The Greek can also mean “give up status and privilege.” Paul is not saying that Christ became less than God or gave up any of his divine attributes. Nor is he discussing whether Jesus was all-powerful or all-knowing during his time on earth. Nor is he saying that Christ ever gave up being “in the form of God” (v. 6). Rather, Paul is saying that, even though Christ had all the privileges of being King of the universe, he gave them up to become a Jewish baby bound for the cross. He “emptied himself” by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. He had every right to stay in a position of power, but his love for sinful mankind drove him to accept a lowly position (compare 2 Cor. 8:9). The “emptying” consisted of his becoming human, not of giving up any part of his true deity.

Phil. 2:8 It is remarkable enough that God the Son would take on human form for a broken world. But Jesus went much farther, becoming obedient (compare Rom. 5:19) to the point of death, even death on a cross. Crucifixion was the ultimate humiliation, and the physical pain was terrible (see note on Matt. 27:35). It was the total opposite of the divine majesty of the preexistent Christ. Thus it was the ultimate expression of Christ’s obedience to the Father.

Phil. 2:9 By humbling himself on the cross out of love, Jesus demonstrated that he truly shared the divine nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). For this very reason (Therefore), God raised him to life and highly exalted him, entrusting him with the rule of the cosmos and giving him the name that is above every name. Following his death and resurrection, Jesus received a status and authority that had not been his before the incarnation (compare Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:33).

Phil. 2:10–11 every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess. Paul quotes Isa. 45:23. In Isaiah these words apply to Yahweh, the personal name for God. Thus, when Paul claims Jesus Christ is Lord, he is saying that Jesus is God. But Jesus’ exaltation also results in the glory of God the Father. The same pattern occurs in 1 Cor. 15:23–28. Even though he is equal with God the Father, Jesus remains the model of loving service to him.

Phil. 2:12–18 With the breathtaking portrayal of Christ before them (vv. 5–11), Paul exhorts the Philippians to demonstrate the same faith and obedience in their everyday lives.

Phil. 2:12–13 The Philippians have obeyed in the past and should continue to do so as they work out their salvation with fear and trembling. But while God’s justice is a cause for sober living (“fear and trembling”), Paul does not want the Philippians to think that they can never merit God’s favor. Rather, it is God’s love and enabling grace that will see them through: it is God who works in you. They can rejoice in God’s empowering presence even as they work hard at living responsible Christian lives. While v. 12 may seem to suggest salvation by works, Paul clearly rejects any such teaching (see 3:2–11). both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Even the desire to do what is good comes from God.

Phil. 2:14–15 The Philippians should shine as lights amid a crooked and twisted generation. Paul’s choice of words recalls the wilderness generation of Israel, who in Deut. 32:5 are described by these very words (“crooked and twisted generation”). Shining “as lights” recalls Dan. 12:2–3.

Phil. 2:16 holding fast. Believing God’s Word and following it.

Phil. 2:17 A drink offering involved pouring out wine, either onto the ground or, as here, on an altar along with an animal or grain sacrifice (see Num. 28:7). It illustrates a life “poured out” for God’s service (compare 2 Tim. 4:6). The Philippians, too, are a sacrificial offering.

Phil. 2:19–24 Timothy follows Christ in that he is concerned for the Philippians’ welfare.

Phil. 2:25–30 Epaphroditus, who is from Philippi, is another example of genuine Christian love.

Phil. 2:30 Having said that Jesus was obedient “to the point of death” (v. 8), Paul now says that Epaphroditus was “near to death” (v. 27) and that he nearly died. Epaphroditus had faced death on behalf of the Philippians. They had desired to send gifts to Paul but were unable to do so (what was lacking in your service to me) until Epaphroditus made it possible (see 4:10, 18).