Chapter 2
V1-2 cf Eph 4:1-3 This is a continuation of 1:30. 4 qualities are quantified to be like minded, of one accord and sharing the same love as Paul in order for the ecclesia to make him feel his mission was complete a. Solace and encouragement in Messiah who experienced persecution too b. Persuasive address of brotherly love for each other c. communion with the Holy Spirit evidenced by gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives d. Tender kindness, benevolence and compassion for one another.
V3-5 Paul stresses the need to major on ensuring your neighbour feels loved to fulfil Torah. We must die to self and not seek empty worldly glory and kudos which can only be achieved through contention with one another. Instead let us identify the good in others as this fosters appreciation for one another encouraging further spiritual growth. We live in a world of social media and individual craving for acceptance through boasting of one’s achievements. This self-aggrandizement and pride inevitably attract envy and strife cf Rom 12:10; 1 Pet 5:5-6.
V5 confirms that Yeshua operated this way cf 1 Cor 2:16
V6-8 v6 proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Yeshua the Son is in the form/image of the Father and is isos/equal in quality with Elohim the Father. Being in the form of Elohim, Yeshua did not need to desire to be equal with the Father, as they are and always will be of the same nature. This is in contrast to us who groan to be conformed to the image of Messiah cf Rom 8:20-23,29.
V7-8 cf Ps 113:6 Yeshua willingly chose to be fashioned in the form of a human slave, hence no longer being in the same state of glory as the Father, in order for Him to be able to die for us for our deliverance, redemption, justification, sanctification and ultimate salvation cf Jn 17:1-5. Yeshua is often described as the God-man i.e. half Elohim, half man. Verse 7 quite categorically states that He chose to strip Himself of independent exercise of His divine attributes, in order to not have an unfair advantage over mankind, and hence deem His walk to be impossible for us to follow. Rather He only acted upon the instructions and will of the Father hence why He persistently vocalised this to the Pharisees cf Jn 8:16,18,26,28-29,42. Yeshua left a perfect example for us that if we abide in the Father through the Holy Spirit, we also may be able to do the will of the Father, casting out demons, healing the sick, setting captives free etc and even more than Yeshua accomplished during His very short ministry cf Jn 14:12-14.
V9-11 cf Is 45:23; Rom 14:11 huperupsoo/to exalt to the highest rank and power. This further proves that Yeshua’s state of glory on earth as man was not as of Yehovah the Father in heaven. By having accomplished His mission of greatest humility for us, Yeshua was by the Father reinstated to His rightful place at His right hand to be worshipped and exalted and confessed by all creation. The name Yeshua haMashiach our Master is definitely powerful and above every name being capable of setting captives free through healing and casting out of demons in that most precious name.
V12-13 cf 1 Pet 1:17 If we consciously and actively work OUT our own salvation through seeking and finding truth led by the Holy Spirit, Elohim will work IN us to will and obey Him in Torah truth. It is a 2-way street. We cannot sit on our laurels and expect supernatural power and workings to be active in our lives. Paul carefully tells us to work OUT not work FOR our salvation, as salvation is a gift from Elohim. It is with fear and trembling that we should take it seriously to spend our whole lives working out what we need to do to attain salvation at the end of our course, for without salvation, the only other destination is damnation in the lake of fire.
After deliverance and justification which are bestowed upon us, it is our duty to be obedient to Elohim by following His commandments until the end in order for our sanctification to remain in us unto salvation. We may lose our sanctification, if we wilfully turn away from the grace given during the race of life cf 1 Cor 3:9-10; Tit 3:8; Gal 5:16. Sanctification is by the Holy Spirit who wills us to do good, as our carnal nature is incapable of doing what is right no matter how hard we try cf Rom 7:18-25; 8:2,4,6,7.
V14-15 Yehovah absolutely detests murmurings and disputations evidenced in the wilderness wanderings Num 14:2-4,11-12,22,27-29; 1 Cor 10:10-11. It is a sin not to be taken lightly.
V15 cf Jn 8:12; Matt 5:14-16. Yeshua is the light of the world. By His Holy Spirit dwelling in us believers, we also transmit this light that men see by our good works enshrined in Torah-keeping which Yeshua clarifies in Matt 5:17-19. A crooked and perverse nation is a quote of Deut 32:5 describing people who do not follow the Torah of Yah.
V16-18 Being lights in the world is exemplified by holding forth the word/Torah of life Pro 6:23. Paul describes his Christian race as a run and not a walk and as labour to emphasize his intense zeal as a slave of Messiah. He toiled hard to exhort his congregants in order to be found good and faithful on his day of judgement cf Matt 25:23.
V17 cf 2 Tim 4:6-7; Rom 12:1. Paul considered his life, and adjured us to make ours, a living sacrifice worthy unto Elohim. He was confident that he had sowed a good crop amongst the Philippians to prove himself worthy at the bema seat judgement.
V19-24 Paul was confident to receive a good report regarding the faithfulness and steadfastness of the Philippian ecclesia once Timotheus had been sent to them. Timothy was clearly a giant in the body of Messiah, whom Paul felt mirrored him in zeal. 2 epistles were dedicated to him. We must love and care for the body of Messiah before our own worries as these two monolithic delegates of Messiah personified. Despite the disparity in their ages, Timothy had the same spirit as Paul, so close were they he considered him as a son of his own. Paul hoped to see the Philippians soon after pending his freedom from incarceration in Rome.
V25-30 Epaphroditus/lovely though a Gentile, was considered by Paul to be a brother in Messiah, fellow worker and fellow warrior in the spiritual battle against evil. To the Philippians Paul referred to him as their apostolos/delegate, further proof that the 12 disciples were not the only ones considered to be apostles. Every Christian who has equal zeal in preaching the gospel is inadvertently an apostle. It is a shame that this has in our epoch been reserved as a title of sanctimony amongst the clergy. Lastly Epaphroditus was also considered to be a leitourgos/servant of the wants of others. He was highly esteemed by Paul considering that even illness and near death failed to diminish his resolve in serving Yeshua and the ecclesia.