Greek Exegesis: Philippians 2:1-11 - Essay Example

Introduction If the apostle Paul had favorite first century church, a local group of believers that he held close to his heart, it could be assumed that Philippians would be one of these groups. Born out of intense persecution, and hence a church which knew the meaning of drawing close to the heart of God, the church at Philippi, was a group which received more encouraging from Paul in his letters than most other churches. This church did not wrestle with deceptive false doctrines to the extent which Thessalonica struggled nor did the Philippians church fall into the partisan wrangling which had inflicted the church in Corinth. As we read this short book, the Philippians obviously have a special place in Paul’s heart, and beginning with the first words of chapter 2, Paul approaches them with a message that seems to flow from his own life blood, from the personal experiences which he had accumulated during his missionary journeys. The epistle for the Philippians is believed to be written in 60 to 64 AD1, appx. 12 years after his initial visit to the city.2 Dr. Paley targets this date by various intimations written within the epistle itself. “It purports,” says he, “to have been written near the conclusion of St. Paul’s imprisonment at Rome, and after a residence in that city of considerable duration. These circumstances are made out by different intimations; and the intimations upon the subject preserve among themselves a just consistency, and a consistency certainly unmeditated.” 3 Paul’s initial experience in Philippi was incarceration, and the conversion of his jailer, in jail for his opposition to the pagan gods and goddesses which filled the city’s culture. The early church in Philippi no doubt experienced the same persecution after his departure. Looking back over his ministry from the Roman jail cell, the commonality which he shared with Philippi no doubt stirred his heart. The persecution, both of Paul and of the Philippians church, may be one of the factors which helped keep this church true to their faith, and near to Paul’s heart. They were ‘cut from the same cloth’ so to speak, believers who came to faith in Christ after being opposed to the message for their own political and religious reasons. Text, variant readings, most accurate translation While the King James Version of the bible has maintained one of the higher places in favored bible translations for centuries, work within the past 4 decades has produced more translations which have wrestled with biblical translation accuracy in order to produce works more parallel to our modern vernacular. Young’s Literal Translation has endeavored to bring the most literal and direct translation of the original Greek texts to life. My favorite, the Amplified version, sought to put into their work the widest and variant meanings of individual words, so as to give the reader a depth of understanding of the passages. The Amplified version takes individual words and includes in the text the variant possible meanings, thus expanding the text to catch cultural nuances which may have been lost in other translations. For this review, I have chosen the New Revised Standard Version as the base text. This version is close to the KJV in intent and approach to the translation process, while targeting the modern English speaking audience. Outline the passage, key thoughts The setting from which Paul is writing has a great effect on the introduction of his personal thoughts as he begins chapter 2. Consistent with many of Paul’s letters, chapter one is a summary of his thoughts about the church, and somewhat formalized greeting. Paul starts his letters with a bit of a review of his activities since last seeing the church, and restating his commitment to pray for their well being. In the case of Philippi, Paul feels free to include more of his personal thoughts and desires for them. As he begins chapter 2, Paul takes off the “official representative of the church” hat and exposes his intimate thoughts. If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than you. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.4 The phrasing he selects here is a window into his deeply held affection for this church. The first verse is filled with conditional statements which the apostle knows are true. If there is encouragement . . . If there is consolation . . . If there is comfort of love in Christ . . . If there is compassion . . . If there is sympathy . . . These are all obvious truisms, which the church endeavors to make a part of their corporate and individual lives each day. So Paul is saying “Because you know these to be true, also work to make my desire true among you – have the same mind, heart, live in common love for one another.” The second half of these first 11 verses, from verse 5-11, Paul takes the theoretical desires spelled out in the first 4 verses, and puts flesh and bones on them. Christian living is a lifestyle with many high ideals. When individual write about, or try to communicate these ideals over a far distance, like Paul in his letters, having a practical, concrete or living example to which to refer makes the ethereal more identifiable. In this case, Paul uses Jesus own life as the example. It is interesting to note that Paul lifts up the example of the savior in the same way that Jesus presented himself as the fulfillment of all the religious theory and doctrine that had come before him. Jesus said he was the fulfillment of the law, and God in the flesh. Paul, in the same spirit, declares that if we are to have an example of Christian living, the example is Christ himself. Paul does not say something to the effect “Remember the rules and doctrine Silas and I set up for you while we were in Philippi” He directs his followers to the one he follows – to Christ. The example of Jesus’ own lifestyle was to be the lifestyle of the church – no excuses, no apologies. Paul’s desire was simply this – let this mind be in you which was in Christ. Greek Analysis of grammar, words, and verbs. Mind: the Greek word for mind in v. 5 is ‘phroneo’. (Strong # 5426) This word is encompasses more than thoughts or ideas, but rather the word entire disposition, for the person to be inclined in a direction with consideration of obedience.5 Romans 15.5 translates this word “to be likeminded” while Col 3.2 translates the same word “set your affection on”6 Thought: the Greek word for thought in v 6 contains a stronger application of the Greek word ‘ago’ which means to be kept, brought forward or commanded. The word ‘heegeomai’ (Strong #2233) has more to do with official authority than a causal thought. This word is translated as ‘Governor’, and ‘those who have rule over you.’ So obviously Paul chose this word to communicate that Jesus had all the authority to stay in heaven. He was ruler; he had rights. Yet he voluntarily gave these rights up to come to earth and become the sacrificial lamb. The next two verbs in v. 7, the Greek word ‘ lambano’ (Strong #2983) translated ‘took upon himself’, and the Greek word ‘ginomai” (strong #1096) translated ‘was made’ hold no particularly enlightening meaning. However, in v 8 the Greek word ‘tapeinoo’ (Strong #5013) which is translated ‘humbled himself” holds with it the idea of humiliation.7 There are events which humble us and others which bring utterly humiliation. The incarnation was a humiliation for the creator of the universe. He willing took on the form of his creation in order to personally communicate his love, and to give his life as a random for them. The end of the process contained great reward. However the process itself was one of utter abasement. This is the word used most often as ‘humble yourself” in the New Testament, such as humble your self under the mighty had of God and he will lift you up.8 Summary, and how would you preach this passage. For the average church attendee, this passage is one of those ethereal, highly idealistic suggestions that fill the pages of the New Testament. The idea that we can understand the motivations which moved Jesus Christ to come to earth, live in humility and then die a sacrificial death are wildly out of the cognitive grasp of most of those who fill an average church. So preaching this passage presents three unique challenges. 1. First, the preacher must make this passage real to the listeners. This is not just idealism. This is a request from one man who lived this lifestyle, and taught the churches he started to do the same. 2. After the listener makes the connection that this passage is indeed realistic, he or she must be lead to understand that the passage is relevant in today’s modern society. 3. Finally the listener must be aided in making the mental, emotional and spiritual commitment to move in the direction which this passage calls them – toward humility, serving one another rather than demanding one’s own way, and building a mutually dependant community. Christ calls his people to a level of vulnerability and community which can only exist if voluntary humility is taught, modeled, and practices. I would preach the passage much in the same way I have presented it herein. I would make the passage personal and relevant by talking about the beginnings of the Philippians church, Paul’s experience in prison, and the ongoing persecution which was a part of the Philippians church’s early life. I would help the people understand that trials and difficulty are often a positive means by which God allows mankind to be motivated and influenced toward a deeper relationship with him. Next I would make the connection between the trials of the early church, those of Paul, and those of Christ. Paul willingly abandoned his rights and chose to preach the gospel across the Asian continent. Jesus willing abandon his rights and came to earth to make connections with us, showing us that the gospel message and the Christian lifestyle was not to remain as idealistic hopes on a printed page, but a powerful world changing lifestyle to be lived daily. The early church saw Christ in Paul, and thereby were able to choose themselves to emulate the life and humble, servant lifestyle of both. Finally, the connection to today must be made by helping the congregation look for opportunities to lay down their own rights in order to serve others. St. Francis said that by giving to all men we receive, and by dying we are born to eternal life. Maybe the reason we do not make a connection with this message, and it appears to be so far out of our modern culture is that we pursue our own rights, and desires rather than laying down our lives for our brothers. Works Cited Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the New Testament Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Parsons Technology, Inc. Alexander, Pat and David. 1999. Zondervan’s Handbook of the Bible. Lion Publishing. Oxford, UK. Berry, George R. The Interlinear Greek – English New Testament with Lexicon and synonyms. 1958. Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI Explorers Bible Study: New Testament Epistles and Revelation, Workbook 1978, 1988 N.E. Constance. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Findex.Com. Strong, J. Strong Exhaustive Concordance – complete and unabridged. 1977. Baker Book House. Grand Rapids, MI Thayer, J. Greek – English Lexicon of the New Testament. 1977. Baker Book House. Grand Rapids, MI The Holy Bible, King James Version Electronic Edition STEP Files. 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc. The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible Original work - 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. The Comparitive Study Bible – A Parallel Bible. 1984. The Zondervan Corp. Grand Rapids, MI. Thompson chain reference bible. KJV. 1964. Thompson, F. ed. B. B. Kirkbride Bible co. Indianapolis, IN. Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible Electronic Edition STEP Files. 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc. Read More