Living Worthy of the Gospel Together

Paul doesn’t call the church to make an ideology or a political party the main thing. He tells them to make the gospel—the good news about Jesus Christ, described in 2:5-11—the main thing. We, the church, must avoid foolish arguments that distract us from the mission—questions like, “Will all of our toenails that we’ve clipped in our lifetimes be put back on at the resurrection?” Like Jude says, let’s earnestly “contend for the faith” (Jude 3). Are you striving to make the gospel known through hospitality? Are you striving to make the gospel known by giving out books or inviting friends to worship gatherings? Let’s be committed to this mission of advancing the gospel.

Negatively, he says “not being frightened in any way by your opponents” (1:28). Paul uses a term that appears only here in the New Testament to speak of being startled like a horse. Whoever these opponents were, the Philippians were not to be intimidated by them. They were to stand boldly and seek to spread the gospel faithfully (cf. vv. 14,20). They were probably not the Judaizers mentioned in chapter 3, since Philippi had a small Jewish population. These bullies were probably their pagan neighbors, perhaps even the authorities (O’Brien, Epistle, 153).

Paul spoke of adversaries and opposition often. To the Corinthians he said, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me” (1 Cor 16:8-9). Effective ministry doesn’t mean a ministry devoid of conflict. Paul says that “many oppose me,” and we, too, will have our adversaries. After all, the chief adversary hates everything we do in Jesus’ name. In light of the battle that we face, we need to stand together.

John Knox, a preacher in Scotland who showed remarkable courage, endured much opposition from the crown. During the dark reign of Bloody Mary in 1553–58, she burned some 280 Christians, including some of Knox’s friends. He was a small man with a weak constitution, but he had a burning desire to serve God. In view of his fearless ministry, one person said at his funeral, “Here lies one who never feared the face of man” (in Stott, Between Two Worlds, 304–5). You won’t fear the face of man if you fear God more than man. Jesus told His disciples, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28). If you’re a Christian, you’ve already been accepted by the only One who ultimately matters. You don’t have to fear condemnation, so what can a human do to you? Don’t fear them. Your Father is with you. Live in the freedom of your acceptance before God through Christ, and never fear the face of man.

Let me encourage you to speak the gospel fearlessly and to be prepared for conflict when you do. While some will be drawn to the grace of Jesus, others will not only reject it but may also deeply oppose you. We shouldn’t be surprised by hate, conflict, or persecution. We don’t go looking for it. We shouldn’t bring it on ourselves by non-gospel-reflecting conduct. But we must remember that we will suffer for proclaiming the message of a crucified, risen, reigning, and returning King. And we don’t do this alone; we do this together, by the Spirit.

A Sign (1:28b)

As Paul describes the nature of Christian suffering in the mission, he says, “This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance.” Paul offers this as a word of encouragement to the Philippians, which is also a word of warning to unbelievers. When Christians are standing together in the face of external pressure, something is happening: a sign is given. It’s a “two-way sign.” It’s a sign pointing to destruction and salvation, to confrontation and confirmation, to judgment and assurance. Unbelievers are confronted with their unbelief and their impending judgment if they don’t believe. Believers have a word of confirmation, as God assures them in the struggle that they really are God’s people and they will be saved on the last day. Notice how non-politically correct this statement is. Contrary to what you hear, not everyone is going to heaven. We don’t all believe the same thing. Like the judge in the gladiator games, we give a “thumbs up” to some and a “thumbs down” to others. Therefore, the decisive issue is, What will you do with that man on the cross?

Paul encourages the saints with these words. While those on the outside may mock and torture them, they will be saved. And he reminds them of who saves, pointing them to the source: “This is from God.” God began the work of salvation in them, and He will sustain and keep them until the end. Paul tells them that their suffering is giving evidence of God’s glorious salvation, which they experience in the present, and of the final salvation they will one day enjoy.

We need to remember that our opponents won’t win. We shouldn’t live hopelessly. God the Judge will have the last word. Some Christians live this life in a very sad, hopeless way. But we shouldn’t. The wicked prosper only for a season (Ps 73). People may oppose you, but that doesn’t mean you should live in discouragement. Many of the pagans in Philippi probably looked at the small band of Christians and thought, We’re winning, and from the surface, the church may have looked like a small, weak, pathetic band of people. But God will have the last word; a sign is given, and it’s a “thumbs down” to those who persecute you and a “thumbs up” to those who take a stand for the gospel. Don’t panic. God is reigning, and God’s glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14). Go on speaking the gospel, and don’t be deterred by what you read in popular literature or online.

Suffering (1:29-30)

Paul rounds out this paragraph by touching on the nature of Christian suffering. What he says may surprise some believers. Most Christians understand salvation as a gift from God (John 1:12-13; Eph 2:8-9), but Paul points out that suffering for Christ’s sake is also a gift. Suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege. Paul’s words are worth a careful, prayerful reflection. Do you recall how Peter rebuked Jesus for saying that He, the Christ, was going to die on a cross? At that time, Peter’s gospel didn’t have a cross in it, so he was rattled by this notion. Jesus then effectively told Peter, “You must follow Me to the cross” (see Mark 8:31-38). Peter had a hard time accepting this basic fact about following Jesus. How much more do we who live in relatively safe environments lose sight of this reality?

To be clear, we don’t suffer in the same way as Jesus; His death was an atoning death. But our symbol for life and ministry is a cross, not a recliner, not a flat screen, not first-class tickets on the airplane, and not plush golf courses. You may have those things, and they may be enjoyed appropriately at times, but let’s not forget that the call to follow Jesus is a call to follow Him down the Calvary road. And Paul adds this: It’s a gift to suffer for Him like that!

How exactly is suffering for Christ a gift? According to the previous verse, it provides a sense of assurance that we belong to Jesus. Suffering also brings you closer to Jesus. Paul relates this idea in 3:10-11. This attitude regarding suffering appears throughout the book of Acts. At one point, after the apostles had been beaten, Luke says, “Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name” (Acts 5:41). They did not just tolerate suffering, they rejoiced in it! They saw it as a gift.

You will enjoy a special intimacy with Jesus as you identify with Him through courageous Christian witness. Suffering for the sake of the mission doesn’t mean He is abandoning you; rather, suffering is a sign that He is with you. Jesus calls us all to obey Him, and that will lead to varying degrees of conflict. You may face a mild form of opposition, like being mocked, insulted, or ignored. You may face severe opposition, like being tied up by Islamic extremists. In every situation, see your suffering as a privilege. We get to suffer for His name.

In verse 30 Paul tells the church that they were following his own way of life. They knew of his sufferings in Philippi and now in Rome, and he calls on them to share in these sufferings for the sake of the King. Paul and the church both received this gift of suffering. Full citizenship involves the grace of believing and the grace of suffering, together in the cause of Christ. Now let us live in a manner worthy of the gospel together, as we stand against external conflict.

Serve One Another with Humble Compassion

Philippians 2:1-4

Unity is still on Paul’s mind, though the focus shifts to internal unity. The church must not only take a stand against outside pressure, but they should also pursue particular attitudes and actions within the body of Christ in order to overcome division. Let’s consider this classic passage on unity in three simple parts: the basis for unity, the command for unity, and the expressions of unity.

The Basis for Unity: Fourfold Motivation (2:1)

Paul opens with a series of “if” statements that may be better understood as “since” statements or “because” statements. They could be stated, “If, as is indeed the case” (O’Brien, Epistle, 165). The “if” refers to certainties, not possibilities. Together, these motivations remind believers of the cords of love that bind them together as God’s people (Hanson, Letter, 106).

The first reminder is that there is encouragement in Christ. We have the blessing of knowing Christ (3:10) and being found in Him (3:9). We have been given the gift of faith (1:29). Does anything lift our spirits more than knowing we are in Christ? In the midst of trial and suffering, find encouragement in your relationship with Jesus.

Second, we have the consolation of love. This is presumably a reference to the love of Christ that comforts us. He is ours, and we are His. What comfort! It may also be a reference to mutual love for one another that flows from this relationship with Jesus. This connection was made in Philippians 1:7-8. Paul loves the church “with the affection of Christ Jesus” (1:8). We know God’s love, and His love makes us love others.

Third, we’re reminded that we share in the fellowship with the Spirit. The Greek word translated “fellowship” (koinonia) is the same word as in 1:5. The Spirit unites us as brothers and sisters (1:27), partners in the gospel, and the Spirit helps in our weaknesses (Rom 8:26). Later Paul says that Christians worship God “by the Spirit” (Phil 3:3). Paul is aware that disunity threatened the Philippian congregation, so he reminds them of the Spirit-produced fellowship they share.

Fourth, we share affection and mercy. This affection (cf. 1:8) or “tenderness” (NIV) flows from our union with Christ. Christ has loved us with amazing tenderness. He has shown us infinite affection. Mercy or “sympathy” (ESV) or “compassion” (NIV) has also come to us from the source of all compassion, our great God (see Ps 103; Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 1:3). We share in a common experience of being the objects of God’s compassion. This tender care should cause us to look out for the interests of others (Phil 2:4) and serve sacrificially as illustrated by the life of Epaphroditus (2:25-30; 4:18).

We enjoy these amazing blessings as fellow believers. Notice Paul’s approach with the Philippians. He’s not only warm and pastoral, but he’s also quick to first mention the blessings of the gospel before giving certain exhortations. If all you ever do is tell people what they’re supposed to be doing, then they will get burned out. Remind people of the blessings while giving them the imperatives. Do this for your own soul, and do this for other Christians.

The Command for Unity (2:2a)

Technically, the one imperative in verses 1-4 is found here in the beginning of verse 2. The imperative is “fulfill my joy.” Paul wanted the church to be like-minded in order to complete his joy. This may sound strange, but not if you think about it. A minister’s well-being is always tied to the unity and growth of the church. John says, “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). If you’re a parent, you know this as well. Proverbs says, “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother” (10:1). Parents’ well-being is tied to the maturity and growth of their kids. Paul, like a father to the Philippian church, naturally longs for the church to be unified, and so he requests like-mindedness.

The Expressions of Unity (2:2b-4)

To be united, Paul says, the church must have the same mentality. Instead of having petty squabbles and rivalries, they should get their heads on straight and remember their identity and common mission. Also, to be united, Paul says, we must pursue Christlike humility. This virtue had a negative connotation in Greek thought, carrying with it the notion of a slave, but Christians elevated it rightly as the soil of all virtue (see Luke 14:11; Eph 4:2; 1 Pet 5:5; cf. Col 3:12). Of course, the Old Testament extols this virtue, and the proud are regularly rebuked. The humble person will avoid “rivalry and conceit.” Paul just spoke about the wrongly motivated preachers who are driven by rivalry in 1:17, and now he tells the whole church to avoid this attitude. Rivalry will divide congregations in a terrible way. Every church member should beware of the presence of rivalry and seek to put it to death. They should seek the glory of Jesus instead of their own glory and rejoice whenever someone is being used by God to advance the gospel.

The Greek word for “conceit” is translated as “vain glory” or “vain conceit” in some versions. It’s an empty glory, a glory that doesn’t exist. People are literally conceited over nothing! The opposite of this is the person of Christ. He didn’t have vain glory; He had all glory, and yet He made Himself nothing for our sake. Follow the way of Jesus, not the way of our culture. We should ask ourselves some questions here: Am I competing for people’s attention and approval? Do I find it difficult or easy to rejoice in the success of others? Am I conceited? Do I think I’m superior to people? Am I concerned with the needs of others?

There will never be unity in a congregation apart from people walking in humility. Paul puts it like this to the Romans: “Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble” (Rom 12:16). Catch the connection with agreement and humility. A humble person contributes to the unity of the church, and humility is a key theme of chapter 2 of Philippians. It will be at the heart of a gospel-centered church. Paul goes on to give us the amazing Christ hymn in 2:6-11. There we see the ultimate picture of humility. Jesus, who had every right to be conceited, instead emptied Himself and associated with us, the lowly. He’s our model for humility, and He gives us power to live out an others-oriented lifestyle.

Third, to be unified, we must live with sensitivity toward the needs of others. In verse 4 Paul tells the church not just to consider their own interests, but also “the interests of others.” In your conversation with others, do you really listen to them? Are you really concerned about others? In this age of taking selfies, such a lifestyle of thinking about others is uncommon. It was rare in Paul’s day, and it’s rare in our day.

I (Francis) remember waking up one Sunday unable to get a thought out of my head for about an hour. Do you know what it was? I was thinking about me. I was thinking about poor, pitiful me. I was feeling a bit sick. I got in from San Diego the night before at 1:00 a.m., and I had to get up and preach four services. Then I was convicted as I realized that I was about to preach on Philippians 2, which is all about considering others more than yourself. It’s so easy to think about ourselves and not others, isn’t it?

The practice of thinking about the needs of others flows from the attitude of humility Paul mentioned in verse 3. Others have pointed out that humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. I’ve always enjoyed C. S. Lewis’s description of a humble person as he paints a picture of verses 3-4:

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all. (Mere Christianity, 128)

Only when we possess the grace of humility will we serve others with spiritual sensitivity. A humble person thinks of others. An arrogant, self-absorbed person thinks only of himself.

In light of the importance of humility, John Stott says, “At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend” (“Pride, Humility and God,” 2–3). Therefore, for the good of our own souls, for the unity of the church, and for the good of our witness before a watching world, we should want to know how to grow in humility. Drawing from other passages of Scripture, allow me to list a few disciplines necessary for cultivating humility. I’m not listing them as one who has mastered the art of humility; I list them as one who needs this grace as much as anyone!

Grow in humility by reflecting on the cross of Christ. After giving these exhortations, Paul immediately takes us to the cross. There is no room for pride at the cross. As the hymn says, “It was my sin that held him there, until it was accomplished” (Getty and Townend, “How Deep”). We see the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the grace of our Lord on display at the cross.

Grow in humility by reflecting on the glory of Christ. After describing Christ’s incarnation in Philippians 2:6-8, Paul points us to Christ’s exaltation in vv. 9-11. He reminds us that Christ is now ruling and reigning and that one day everyone will bow before our glorified King. Allow Christ’s all-sovereign lordship to create in you humble adoration before Him.

Grow in humility by reflecting on God’s Word, which reveals to us Christ’s humility and exaltation. Studying the Bible can be an act of humility in itself if you’re going to the Bible with the attitude, “I need Your Word more than bread.” It is the arrogant person who thinks he or she doesn’t need to hear from God’s Word. Of course, some read in order to fill their pride, and that’s wrong. God is looking for people who humbly seek and submit to His Word. He tells Isaiah, “I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa 66:2). As you study, meditate on the greatness of God. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, get before God and realize that He rules over all; stand in the way of His greatness and regain your perspective on yourself and all of life.

Grow in humility through prayer. One reason for our prayerlessness is lack of humility. Prayer is a very hard thing to do because it seems like we aren’t doing anything. But it’s also hard because it’s a humble act. We must humble ourselves before God’s mighty hand regularly and cast our cares on Him (1 Pet 5:6-7).

Grow in humility through serving others. By doing humble actions, like serving without being noticed, you may begin to grow in humility. Paul encourages the church to think on the interests of others. So serve people humbly. As you do this, pray for God to cultivate in you the spirit of humility that was so gloriously displayed in our Lord.

How did the early Christians turn the world upside down? They obeyed a different King. They lived lives that reflected the values of the kingdom, lives that were worthy of the gospel. That involved standing together against external opposition with courage and serving one another with humble compassion. Let’s go and do likewise in humble dependence on our Savior.

Reflect and Discuss