Explanation: In Philippians 2, Paul expresses his desire that the Philippians would make him joyful by being likeminded, having the same love ("agape," self-giving love), the same accord (co-spirited), and the same mind (disposition) (1-11).
     He wants them to put away strife and vainglory, and, in lowliness of mind, to esteem others better than themselves. He asks them to look out for the interests of others, not for their own interests. They should think like Christ, who, though he was equal to God, made himself of no reputation, took upon himself the form of a servant, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, a supremely ignoble death and a death which made him accursed according to the Law of Moses. In response, God gave him a name which is above every name, so that every knee should bow to him and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father (3-11).
     Paul therefore exhorts them to work out their salvation because God is working in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure (12-13).
     They should do everything without murmuring and disputing. They should be blameless, harmless, and without rebuke even though they live among those who are crooked and perverse. They shine like lights among them. He desires that he and they may rejoice in the last day (14-18).
     He will send Timothy to them who will report on their state. He is likeminded with Paul and will naturally care for their state. He will not seek his own as others do. He served Paul as a son serves a father. Paul will send him soon; and he will also come to them shortly (19-24).
     He also is sending Epaphroditus who became sick almost to the point of death while he labored to minister to Paul and to supply their lack of service to Paul. But God had mercy on him and on Paul lest he should sorrow upon sorrow if Epaphroditus had died. In addition to his sickness, Epaphroditus felt great sorrow when he learned how worried the Philippians were about him in his great illness (25-30).
     [Sermons: Sam Storms. John Macarthur. Various. ]
     [Illustration: Today's images depict Christ in his human and his divine natures. The second is derived from the first and shows the human and the divine natures separated rather than blended, as in the first image. The idea of Christ as human and Divine is exposited by Paul in today's chapter. ]

     ²⁵ Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. ²⁶ For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: ³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

---

Home | DAWN Archive

Tomorrow's Picture: TBA

     ADDITIONAL AD LIB MATERIAL: Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image and explanation daily.

Please Email Comments and Questions To

AD LIB ARTS EMAIL
copyright 2016, Scott Souza