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Philippians Chapter 2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 30 Verses

What is Philippians 2 about?

The epistle of joy — contentment in every circumstance, humility modeled on Christ's kenosis, and the peace that surpasses understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,
2make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
3[doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;
4not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
5Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
8and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
10that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth,
11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
14Do all things without murmurings and questionings:
15that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
16holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.
17Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:
18and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.
19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state.
21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child [serveth] a father, [so] he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.
23Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:
24but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.
25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;
26since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:
27for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor:
30because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, etc.] Or “exhortation”, as the word is sometimes rendered; that is, either if there is any exhortation of Christ to love and unity, as there is in (<431334>John 13:34 15:11,17), and this is of any weight and value; or if an exhortation hereunto made in the name of Christ, by any of his ministers, messengers, and ambassadors, will be regarded, as it ought to be, then fulfil ye my joy, etc. (<500502>Philippians 2:2), but as the word is frequently translated “consolation”, as it is here in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions; the sense may be either, if…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“CONTINUED EXHORTATION: TO UNITY: TO HUMILITY AFTER CHRIST'S EXAMPLE, WHOSE GLORY FOLLOWED HIS HUMILIATION: TO EARNESTNESS IN SEEKING PERFECTION, THAT THEY MAY BE HIS JOY IN THE DAY OF CHRIST: HIS JOYFUL READINESS TO BE OFFERED NOW BY DEATH, SO AS TO PROMOTE THEIR FAITH. HIS INTENTION TO SEND TIMOTHY: HIS SENDING EPAPHRODITUS MEANTIME. (Phi. 2:1-30) The "therefore" implies that he is here expanding on the exhortation (Phi 1:27), "In one Spirit, with one mind (soul)." He urges four influencing motives in this verse, to inculcate the four Christian duties corresponding respectively to them (Phi 2:2). "That ye be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ - This, with what is said in the remainder of the verse, is designed as a motive for what he exhorts them to in Philippians 2:2 - that they would be of the same mind, and would thus fulfill his joy. To urge them to this, he appeals to the tender considerations which religion furnished - and begins by a reference to the consolation which there was in Christ. The meaning here may be this: “I am now persecuted and afflicted. In my trials it will give me the highest joy to learn that you act as becomes Christians. You also are persecuted and afflicted Philippians…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“If there be therefore any consolation - In the grace of Christ. If any comfort - In the love of God. If any fellowship of the Holy Ghost; if any bowels of mercies - Resulting therefrom; any tender affection towards each other. Philippians 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“2:1-11 In the midst of their persecution, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united and to live a humble life like Christ. 2:1-2 Is there . . . ? These rhetorical questions expect positive answers. Those who have a real experience of Christ should live together in harmony and love.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“any consolation: Phi 3:3; Luk 2:10, Luk 2:11, Luk 2:25; Joh 14:18, Joh 14:27, Joh 15:11, Joh 16:22-24, Joh 17:13; Rom 5:1, Rom 5:2; Rom 15:12, Rom 15:13; Co1 15:31; Co2 1:5, Co2 1:6, Co2 2:14; Th2 2:16, Th2 2:17; Heb 6:18; Pe1 1:6-8 if any comfort: Psa 133:1; Joh 15:10-12; Act 2:46, Act 4:32; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:30-32; Col 2:2; Jo1 4:7, Jo1 4:8, Jo1 4:12, Jo1 4:16 if any fellowship: Rom 5:5, Rom 8:9-16, Rom 8:26; Co1 3:16, Co1 6:19, Co1 6:20, Co1 12:13; Co2 13:14; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:13, Eph 1:14, Eph 2:18-22, Eph 4:4; Pe1 1:2, Pe1 1:22, Pe1 1:23; Jo1 3:24 if any bowels: Phi 1:8; Col 3:12 Philippians 2:2”
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