Philippians: Part 2.c. (2.1-4,12-30)

Okay this is for real the last post I'm gonna put about chapter 2 and the rest should be just one post per chapter. Understand that 2.5-11 has been central to my thinking and development for the past several years. That's why I wanted to focus more attention on that.

2.1-4 The "if(s)" must be rhetorical as the traits that he mentions have already been brought up in chapter 1 as the Philippians portraying them. We might even replace the several occurrences of "if" with "since" in these verses. The notion of Paul's joy being made "complete" by the Philippians should remind us of words Jesus told his disciples the night before he was betrayed. After telling them of the importance of abiding in God through Christ (the vine), Jesus told his disciples that he has told them these things that his joy may be in them and that their joy might be complete (John 15.11). Paul's joy, therefore, is not his alone but is Christ's, too. He's not merely saying, "Win this one for me"...he has already identified his suffering with Christ's; now he does the same with joy. And what could make Paul or Christ more joyful than his followers abiding in love, "not looking out for their own interests but to the interests of others" (the "only" and "also" in some English translations are additions not present in Greek manuscripts). After exhorting the Philippians to this type of attitude he shows that these are traits of none other than Christ himself (2.5-11).

2.12-13 One of my favorite sermons by Wesley is on this text because he actually is willing to talk about "works" in the same sentence with "salvation" but does so in a way to ensure not to promote an idea of works righteousness...as though we could earn our salvation. We recognize the importance that it is God who "is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." The word "enabling" is HUGE for a Wesleyan view of grace and salvation. Might we put as a synonym for "prevenient grace" the phrase "enabling grace." God's initiating grace makes us "response-able" and thus "responsible" for our spiritual state.

2.14-18 Some have said this is Paul's farewell address, similar in content to Moses farewell address in Deuteronomy 31.24-32.5, but avoiding the negative aspects of Moses' address to the Israelites. However, Paul warns them of the possibility of falling into the "wicked and perverse generation." Interesting that Paul moves from being convinced that he will one day be present with the Philippians in chapter 1 to here sounding like he is giving his farewell address. He also wants them to see his death (like his life) as an act of worship (Craddock).

2.19-30 Paul is dealing with specific itineraries. Paul again praises Timothy and acknowledges him as a son (not in subordination, but affection). Many had deserted Paul (after all, would it be easy to follow someone almost certainly headed to their execution?), but Timothy remained faithful to Paul's ministry and was capable of leading the churches under Paul's current care. Epaphroditus is only mentioned here in the New Testament and was likely a convert from paganism (he was named from the Greek goddess, Aphrodite).