Philippians 2

Philippians 2:1-30 . 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.

1. The "therefore" implies that he is here expanding on the exhortation ( Philippians 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 ( Philippians 2:2 ). "That ye be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind"; (1) "If there be (with you) any consolation in Christ," that is, any consolation of which Christ is the source, leading you to wish to console me in my afflictions borne for Christ's sake, ye owe it to me to grant my request "that ye be like-minded" [CHRYSOSTOM and ESTIUS]: (2) "If there be any comfort of (that is, flowing from) love," the adjunct of "consolation in Christ"; (3) "If any fellowship of (communion together as Christians, flowing from joint participation in) the Spirit" ( 2 Corinthians 13:14 ). As Pagans meant literally those who were of one village, and drank of one fountain, how much greater is the union which conjoins those who drink of the same Spirit! ( 1 Corinthians 12:4 1 Corinthians 12:13 ) [GROTIUS]: (4) "If any bowels (tender emotions) and mercies (compassions)," the adjuncts of "fellowship of the Spirit." The opposites of the two pairs, into which the four fall, are reprobated, Philippians 2:3 Philippians 2:4 .

2. Fulfil--that is, Make full. I have joy in you, complete it by that which is still wanting, namely, unity ( Philippians 1:9 ).
likeminded--literally, "that ye be of the same mind"; more general than the following "of one mind."
having the same love--equally disposed to love and be loved.
being of one accord--literally, "with united souls." This pairs with the following clause, thus, "With united souls, being of one mind"; as the former two also pair together, "That ye be likeminded, having the same love."

3. Let nothing be done--The italicized words are not in the Greek. Perhaps the ellipsis had better be supplied from the Greek ( Philippians 2:2 ), "Thinking nothing in the way of strife" (or rather, "factious intrigue," "self-seeking," thought which characterizes the action as good or bad before God.
lowliness of mind--The direct relation of this grace is to God alone; it is the sense of dependence of the creature on the Creator as such, and it places all created beings in this respect on a level. The man "lowly of mind" as to his spiritual life is independent of men, and free from all slavish feeling, while sensible of his continual dependence on God. Still it INDIRECTLY affects his behavior toward his fellow men; for, conscious of his entire dependence on God for all his abilities, even as they are dependent on God for theirs, he will not pride himself on his abilities, or exalt self in his conduct toward others ( Ephesians 4:2 , Colossians 3:12 ) [NEANDER].
let each esteem--Translate as Greek, "esteeming each other superior to yourselves." Instead of fixing your eyes on those points in which you excel, fix them on those in which your neighbor excels you: this is true "humility."

4. The oldest manuscripts read, "Not looking each of you (plural, Greek) on his own things (that is, not having regard solely to them), but each of you on the things of others" also. Compare Philippians 2:21 ; also Paul's own example ( Philippians 1:24 ).

5. The oldest manuscripts read, "Have this mind in you," &c. He does not put forward himself Philippians 1:24 ) as an example, but Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but "humbled Himself" ( Philippians 2:8 ), first in taking on Him our nature, secondly, in humbling Himself further in that nature ( Romans 15:3 ).