Philippians – Part 3

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Various Exhortations ~ Part 2

Imitate Yeshua’s Humility

In your public life, you may encounter divisive attitudes that breed hostility, whether on social media or in community events. Philippians 2:3-11 highlights the importance of humility and regard for others. To counter this negativity, strive to engage in conversations that promote understanding rather than division. By demonstrating humility and compassion in these settings, you reflect Yeshua’s love and help foster a more inclusive and respectful community.

2 ³ Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves—⁴ look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.

These four habitual actions reveal themselves collectively through another four attributes. Rivalry or vanity recalls the problem Sha’ul condemned (1:15, 17). Humility, the antidote for wrong attitudes, results in considering better than yourselves. Additionally, humility thinks of the interests of others. Proper relationships include the contrast “not only but also.” Personal responsibilities demand consideration, but the concerns of others are equally important.

⁵ Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua:

This is one of the most challenging passages in the Bible, prompting various theories attempting to describe what Yeshua gave up in coming to earth. The text illustrates Messianic humility. Because of its rhythmic character, it is often considered an early hymn, including two stanzas—verses 6–8 (on humility) and verses 9– 11 (on Yeshua’s ascension).

⁶ Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God something to be possessed by force. ⁷ On the contrary, He emptied Himself, in that He took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are. And when He appeared as a human being, ⁸ He humbled Himself still more by becoming obedient even to death— death on a stake as a criminal! ⁹ Therefore, God raised Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name; ¹⁰ that in honor of the name given Yeshua, every knee will bow— in heaven, on earth, and under the earth— ¹¹ and every tongue will acknowledge (Isaiah 45:23) that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai— to the glory of God the Father.

Work At Righteousness

¹² So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling, (Psalm 2:11)¹³ for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him.

Obedience is directed to God, not Sha’ul, who hoped his potential death would not dampen Believers’ enthusiasm. Working out your deliverance with fear and trembling means having proper respect in response to God’s blessing. Faithful obedience comes from reverence, not fright. God … is working provides the deeper incentive: Believers are recipients of God’s initiatives of motivation and empowerment.

Be Examples of Peace

¹⁴ Do everything without kvetching ¹or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation,(Deuteronomy 32:5) among whom you shine like stars in the sky, ¹⁶ as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing.

Kvetching and arguing come from selfishness and vainglory (Philippians 1:15, 17). Blameless and pure introduce metaphors. First, Believers are to be morally faultless in a world crooked and perverted by its failure to understand the word of God. Believers are straight models for distorted lives. Second, they are to

¹⁷ Indeed, even if my lifeblood is poured out as a drink offering over the sacrifice and service of your faith, I will still be glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ Likewise, you too should be glad and rejoice with me.²

Drink offering recalls the Torah sacrificial system. Sha’ul was the substance being poured out for these Believers. Sacrifice is the offering; service is performed during the ceremony. All of this brought Sha’ul— and the Philippian Believers—joy.

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^[1] Kvetching, Yiddish for “petty complaining,” translating the haunting Greek word for murmurings.

^[2] Philippians 2:3–18.