Philippians Bible Study: Chapter Two

Rejoice in the Lord: The Letter to the Philippians

CHAPTER TWO: Think Like Christ

 

Paul urges the Philippians to live Christ-like lives by pointing them to Christ. In verse two and in verse five, Paul talks about the mind (literally, "thinking") in connection with Jesus. In verse two, he talks about believers as "being of the same mind" and "being…of one mind." Then in verse five, he uses an imperative ("Have this mind among yourselves…") which means, "you (believers), think this way, the way Christ Jesus thought…" And the way that Jesus thought was like a servant, even though He was and is God.

FOR DISCUSSION: We often talk about our hearts in our relationship to God, but where do our minds fit into the picture? What is Paul saying about thinking as it relates to discipleship?

How does Paul describe a Christ-centered servant mentality in verses three and four? What would a congregation look like if it put these ideas into practice?

WORD STUDY: "form" in Greek: "morphe," from which we get words like metamorphosis, morphology and "morphing" (changing shapes)

So, if we are going to think the way Jesus thought about servanthood, what might that mean?

WORD STUDY: The "name that is above every name" is Jesus, which means "The Lord saves." In the end, everyone will bow before Jesus, in either faith or submission.

In verse twelve, the "fear and trembling" (in Greek, phobos and tromos) that accompanies the "working out" (or "achieving") one's salvation comes not from an uncertain outcome. The "fear and trembling" is in the realization that "God exists working in you." The unapproachable Holy One Himself approaches us—and is working in us—to want and to work in behalf of His goodwill.

WORD STUDY: Verse fourteen: "Do all things apart from gongysmos (behind-the-scenes talk) and dialogismos (dialogue; in this sense, debate) that you may be blameless and pure…"

FOR DISCUSSION: In verses fifteen and sixteen, the description of believers "shining like stars in the cosmos (world)" is directly related to "holding fast to the word of life." What is the connection?

FOR DISCUSSION: What is Paul rejoicing about in verse 17? About what does he urge the Philippians to rejoice in the next verse?