Philippians 2

Consolation in Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Philippians 2:1

Real comfort and encouragement are found in Christ, and that shared comfort should unite the Saints.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The condescension of Christ

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5–7

Before His birth Jesus was a God, rightly equal with God, yet He laid aside His glory and came to earth as a servant in a mortal body. We are to have that same humble mind.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 42:1 — 'Behold my servant, whom I uphold'
• fulfils Mosiah 3:5 — the Lord Omnipotent 'shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay'
• the same event in John 1:14 — 'the Word was made flesh'

Obedient unto the death of the cross

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus humbled Himself completely, obeying the Father even when it meant dying on a cross.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:12 — 'he hath poured out his soul unto death'
• fulfils Mosiah 15:7 — 'crucified, and slain ... the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father'

The name above every name

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua/Yeshua, 'Jehovah saves'

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:9–11

Because of His obedience the Father exalted Jesus, and every being will one day confess Him as Lord. Paul applies to Jesus Isaiah's words where Jehovah says every knee shall bow to Him — a witness that Jesus is Jehovah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 45:23 — Jehovah: 'unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear'
• the same event in Mosiah 27:31 — 'every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him'
• the same title in Mosiah 3:17 — 'no other name given ... only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent'

The day of Christ

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16

Paul looks to the day of Christ's coming, hoping to rejoice then over the faithfulness of the Saints he taught.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Lord Jesus

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Philippians 2:19

Paul's plans rest on trust in the Lord Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The things of Jesus Christ

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'; Christ — 'the Anointed One'

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. Philippians 2:21

Many seek their own interests rather than the cause of Jesus Christ; Timothy is different.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Philippians 2:24

Paul's hope to visit rests on trust in the Lord.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

The work of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Philippians 2:29–30

Epaphroditus nearly died doing the work of Christ, so the Saints should welcome him in the Lord.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him