Myeshia Napier – COMS 542
Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV)
Philippians 2: 1
Foundation Step Framing Step Finish Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Who wrote the book:
Paul
To whom is the book
written?
The church in Philippi
Why was the book
written? Situation?
Paul was expressing his
desire for Christians to
be unified after
discovering the key to
being content.
When was the book
written?
While Paul was
imprisoned; roughly 6o
A.D.
Purpose Statement:
Using the keys to
become content with our
selves through helping
others and putting others
ahead of our own desires
and our own desires for
justification. In other
words, being humble.
Questions/Answer
As this chapter starts out
and flows into verse 2,
the words are not yet a
complete thought;
however, Paul starts this
chapter with a list of
qualities that are
attributed to being united
and a friend of Christ.
Paul is asking that if the
reader is encouraged by
these qualities, then …
and this is where the
thought runs into verse
2.
Development
Paul begins by giving a
list, or description of the
attributes of Christ’s
response to us (United,
comfort, love, sharing of
the spirit, tenderness,
and compassion, etc.)
Topical-
Christ – The anointed
one
Spirit – Breath
Conceptual-
Encouragement
United
Love- an attribute of
God [ CITATION Ung83
\l 1033 ].
Sharing
Tenderness
Compassion
God’s Love for all,
including sinners, can be
found throughout
scripture. Jeremiah 31:3
(NIV) shows us that God
said, “I have loved you
with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with
unfailing kindness.” This
is the point Paul is
making as well – Christ
shows us love and
kindness through sharing
of himself, tenderness,
compassion, and
encouragement.
First, I can internalize
this scripture by writing
down how Christ has
encouraged, united,
loved, shared, was
tender and
compassionate in my
life. I believe I would be
hard pressed to not come
up with something, or
several instances for
each category. Second, I
can place reminder notes
throughout my home to
be mindful to not only
be these things for
others, but to look for
those qualities that
Christ is continuing to
be for me.
I started reading more in
depth about different
scriptures. While I do
not claim to know or
understand everything, I
feel that by sharing what
I have learned, I can
encourage not only
myself to keep on
learning and practicing
what I learn, but that I
can also encourage
others to as well.
Philippians 2:2
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Paul continues his
thought from verse 1 and
finishes with the
admonition to be like-
minded and doing for
others as Christ has done
for us.
Development
The admonitions that
Paul gives are our
responses to others in
response to what Christ
did and continues to do
for us. This scripture still
does not complete the
thought.
Topical
Spirit
Conceptual
Joy
Like-minded
Love
One in spirit
One mind
One – again Paul puts
weight and value on
believers coming
together as one body of
believers in Ephesians
4:4-6. He also addresses
the issues of life and
how they should never
be allowed to break that
unity of oneness
[ CITATION Wil01 \l
1033 ].
Just as above, I can
internalize this scripture
and the subsequent ones
for this chapter by
writing out what it
means to me to be “one”
in the spirit, body and
mind of God and other
believers. This becomes
rather convoluted though
when you discover the
little nuances that you
may be passionate about,
but others do not take
issue with (what
constitutes a sin). I tend
to think in black and
white, while others think
in grey or multi-color!
To search out others who
believe the scriptures as
literal as I do, will help
me focus internally.
For me to do this, I need
to stay in the Word, in
fellowship through
church and other church
related activities and
being just like my other
fellowship members.
Philippians 2:3
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Here Paul is giving
direction to not act out
of selfish ambition or
vain conceit, then
follows up with what we
should do – humbly
value others more than
ourselves.
Development
Verse three the thought
continues – what not to
be and what to change.
In a sense, these words
are a command.
Topical
Others
Yourselves
Conceptual
Selfish ambition
Vain conceit
Humility
Value (others)
Human humility – Unger
(1983) points us to
understanding humility
as not finding ourselves
higher or better than
others which is reiterated
in Romans 12:3.
I tend to get annoyed
with arrogant people.
But is that not, in a way
arrogance? Thinking that
my own personality is
without arrogance?
Finding value in others
must become a habit in a
society where the focus
is on the negative.
I think I need to start
focusing on the good in
people instead of the
bad.
Philippians 2:4
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Another set of
directions
Development
This verse is the end of
the thought but not the
last of the admonitions.
Topical
You
Others
Conceptual
Interests
Others – this scripture
flows over from the last
in the humility
department. Paul is
advising us to focus on
others and their interests
(what is good for them)
rather than our selves.
The internalization of
this is just as the last
scripture internalization
– to realize my own sin
and focus on others
while at the same time,
working on what God is
dealing with me on –
being too self-serving
and not a servant of
others. Ouch!
Perhaps getting out and
helping others in the
community or go on a
missionary trip.
Philippians 2:5
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Neither
Development
New thought on
relationships and taking
on the mindset of Christ
– beginning of the
thought/directive.
Topical
Your
One another
Christ Jesus
Conceptual
Relationships
Mindset
Relationships – in this
context, Paul is asking
us to have mindsets like
that of Christ for one
another. In other words,
to be in the world
sharing the gospel with
love and humility, but to
not be of the world.
I found this thought by
Gordon R. Lewis to be
quite profound “God
personally give
significance to the most
insignificant”
[CITATION Hor06 \p
116 \l 1033 ].
Perhaps and more in
depth study on
relationships and what it
means to relate -
This goes hand in
hand with the above
response.
Philippians 2:6
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Development
Topical
Conceptual
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Neither
Verse 6 is not a direct
question but reads like
one. As if the reader
may have been
questioning whether
Christ being equal to
God could be
advantageous to his
ministry. This thought
continues into the next
verse.
Topical
God
Conceptual
Nature
Equality
Advantage
Nature – in this
context, Christ’s
qualities or attributes
that are the same or
equal to God, did not
play a part in how he
chose to make his
earthly personage –
however, He is still
“perfect” and God. He
chose to come as
“nothing” and
becoming a servant in
human form.
This is a bit difficult for
me to wrap my mind
around. I understand
the concept of coming
to earth as “nothing”
and being a baby, going
through the lifecycle
changes as other
humans do, but He is
still God! I suppose, he
could not be
everywhere like God is;
if he were teaching by
the sea, he could not be
in the temple as well…
this will take more
study on my part.
Focusing on the
differences between
God’s attributes as He
is and what attributes
Jesus had while here on
earth.
Philippians 2:7
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Direction
Development
Verse 7 continues from
verse 6 in looking at
how Christ came to
earth in human form
with a servant’s
attitude and heart
(nature).
Topical
He - God
Servant
Human
Conceptual
Human Likeness
Servant – one who
is in service to
another; follows
orders, commands
and directions
[ CITATION
Ung83 \l 1033 ].
Focus on what is
required to be a
servant with my
sticky note idea.
Post them in the
house or on my
electronics –
maybe another
study on servant
hood.
Again, focus on
serving others in
the community or
go on a mission
trip.
Philippians 2:8
Foundation Step Framing Step Finishing Work Further study Internalization Actualization
Question/Answer
Direction
Development
In verse 8 Paul finishes
his example of Christ’s
appearance, response
(humble and obedient)
to the point of dying on
the cross.
Topical
Man
He – God
Death
Cross
Conceptual
Appearance
Humbled
Obedient
Obedience – what a
servant does. In
this context, we are
not only to obey
God, but also to
obey the laws of
the land, no matter
how off the mark
we feel they are.
Then there is the
obedience of
children to their
parents (Luke
2:51).
To internalize
obedience means I
must accept it and
consistently be in
prayer over what I
feel is God’s
prompting or my
own desire or fear! I
don’t have a hard
time serving others,
since it is in my
personality to do so,
but I do have a hard
time when I am
feeling “bossed
around” by my
people and the
Government.
I have a lot of
internal talks with
myself and being
hard on myself
when I do not feel
like I am being
obedient and ask
my go to person my
grandmother to
pray for me about
my attitudes
toward obedience.
References
Horton, D. (2006). The Portable Seminary: A master's level over view on one volume. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House
Publishers.
Unger, M. (1983). Unger's Bible Dictionary. Chicago, Il: Moody Press.
Wilson, N., & Taylor, L. (2001). Tyndale Handbook of Bible Charts and Maps. Wheaton, Il: Tyndale House.
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