Philippians Study 2022, 1:27 - 2:18

[Sudsy]

Are you interested in spending more time in chapter 2 first? It seems virtually untouched.

Yes. I just thought perhaps the next set of scriptures might trigger more input from others but I would love to read more thoughts on chapter 2.

I guess in my opinion 2:1-11 is a towering passage of Scripture.
What do you think of 2:5 in the KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

as compared to in the ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

or in the CSB, for instance

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

I would chose the KJV in this case and relate it to Romans 8:5 -

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

.

[silentreader]

Yes. I just thought perhaps the next set of scriptures might trigger more input from others but I would love to read more thoughts on chapter 2.

I guess in my opinion 2:1-11 is a towering passage of Scripture.
What do you think of 2:5 in the KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

as compared to in the ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

or in the CSB, for instance

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

I would chose the KJV in this case and relate it to Romans 8:5 -

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

.

I agree, this is one place that I prefer the KJV, although the CSB is very clear as well.

[ken_sylvania]

Yes. I just thought perhaps the next set of scriptures might trigger more input from others but I would love to read more thoughts on chapter 2.

I guess in my opinion 2:1-11 is a towering passage of Scripture.
What do you think of 2:5 in the KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

as compared to in the ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

or in the CSB, for instance

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

I would chose the KJV in this case and relate it to Romans 8:5 -

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

.

Is that supposed to be a quote from the KJV?

[Sudsy]

I guess in my opinion 2:1-11 is a towering passage of Scripture.
What do you think of 2:5 in the KJV

as compared to in the ESV

or in the CSB, for instance

I would chose the KJV in this case and relate it to Romans 8:5 -

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

.

Is that supposed to be a quote from the KJV?

No ESV. For the Romans 8:5 verse I prefer the ESV.

[silentreader]

I guess in my opinion 2:1-11 is a towering passage of Scripture.
What do you think of 2:5 in the KJV

as compared to in the ESV

or in the CSB, for instance

I would chose the KJV in this case and relate it to Romans 8:5 -

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

.

Is that supposed to be a quote from the KJV?

I agree that both his post and my response are unclear enough that they could be taken as linking the two quotes together in that way.
Would you care to make further comments on the text itself?

[Sudsy]

How do you understand verses 12 and 13 regarding working out your own salvation with fear and trembling but he also goes on to say that it is God who does the work in us to will and to work ?

I have heard some interesting explanations especially on the 'fear and trembling' part.

How do you like the Amplified version of these 2 verses ?

[silentreader]

How do you understand verses 12 and 13 regarding working out your own salvation with fear and trembling but he also goes on to say that it is God who does the work in us to will and to work ?

I have heard some interesting explanations especially on the 'fear and trembling' part.

How do you like the Amplified version of these 2 verses ?

I think there are good notes in the Amplified.

I would look at this passage this way, and it may not be completely in sequence:
As Paul has taught them and as they have obediently done they are to continue to move forward from having been born again and work and live in that manner. The Christian life is not a passive one, only resting in salvation, but an active one, showing who we have become. This passage fits well here:

Ephesians 2:8-10
English Standard Version
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

and James 2:21-23 (ESV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

(If I'm not mistaken v21 actually happened quite some time before v.23)

There are several points to this outworking:
1) an understanding of the need for obedience, in this case as he mentioned, to Paul, and more importantly to God.
2) an understanding of our personal responsibilities in regards to our faithfulness, relating to a consistent direction of travel and growth
towards holiness.
3) an understanding that there are consequences for sin, especially willful sin.

In regards to fear and trembling, the Translator's Notes from the NET:

Philippians 2:12 tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.

All of a sudden I'm short of time...

Briefly the last part I think is saying that we do not have to do this work in our own strength but rather that God gave us the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to work towards becoming more Christ-like and to bring glory to God.

I don't have time to look it up right now but there is a wonderful power passage in Ephesians that speaks to that.

[Sudsy]

I didn't put the AMP version in my prior reference so I'll put it here - 2:12-13

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

I have a bit of a hesitation with the comment for the fear and trembling part that is explained as [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

Perhaps it is the 'critical self-evaluation' part as I believe critical self-evaluations often have flaws due to the flesh/ego and I would think allowing the Holy Spirit to do the guidance would be the better approach. Thoughts ?

[silentreader]

I didn't put the AMP version in my prior reference so I'll put it here - 2:12-13

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

I have a bit of a hesitation with the comment for the fear and trembling part that is explained as [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

Perhaps it is the 'critical self-evaluation' part as I believe critical self-evaluations often have flaws due to the flesh/ego and I would think allowing the Holy Spirit to do the guidance would be the better approach. Thoughts ?

I understand what you are saying about the critical self-evaluation, I think. Probably the most important part here is a growing awareness of God's holiness and coming to understand how that should speak to our own actions and attitudes.
A favourite OT passage that I think illustrates that:

Isaiah 6:1-8 ESV
6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

[silentreader]

How do you understand verses 12 and 13 regarding working out your own salvation with fear and trembling but he also goes on to say that it is God who does the work in us to will and to work ?

I have heard some interesting explanations especially on the 'fear and trembling' part.

How do you like the Amplified version of these 2 verses ?

I think there are good notes in the Amplified.

I would look at this passage this way, and it may not be completely in sequence:
As Paul has taught them and as they have obediently done they are to continue to move forward from having been born again and work and live in that manner. The Christian life is not a passive one, only resting in salvation, but an active one, showing who we have become. This passage fits well here:

Ephesians 2:8-10
English Standard Version
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

and James 2:21-23 (ESV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

(If I'm not mistaken v21 actually happened quite some time before v.23)

There are several points to this outworking:
1) an understanding of the need for obedience, in this case as he mentioned, to Paul, and more importantly to God.
2) an understanding of our personal responsibilities in regards to our faithfulness, relating to a consistent direction of travel and growth
towards holiness.
3) an understanding that there are consequences for sin, especially willful sin.

In regards to fear and trembling, the Translator's Notes from the NET:

Philippians 2:12 tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.

All of a sudden I'm short of time...

Briefly the last part I think is saying that we do not have to do this work in our own strength but rather that God gave us the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to work towards becoming more Christ-like and to bring glory to God.

I don't have time to look it up right now but there is a wonderful power passage in Ephesians that speaks to that.

I misspoke.

(If I'm not mistaken v21 actually happened quite some time before v.23)

It should read ... v21 actually happened quite some time after v23.