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Post by Josh on Oct 31, 2010 20:22:43 GMT -8
Post your comments, questions, and discussion starters on Philippians 2:1-18 as replies to this post.
A question to start with: what makes it difficult for you to be a servant to the people around you?
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Post by Josh on Nov 5, 2010 17:08:48 GMT -8
The NIV has recently been updated for changing in English idiom and new translation scholarship.
One interesting example of a change based on recent scholarship is in Philippians 2:
When the NIV was first translated, the meaning of the rare Greek word harpagmos, rendered ‟something to be grasped,” in Philippians 2:6 was uncertain. But further study has
shown that the word refers to something that a person has in their possession but choosesnot to use to their own advantage. The updated NIV reflects this new information, makingclear that Jesus really was equal with God when he determined to become a humanfor our sake: ‟[Christ Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.”
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Post by Josh on Nov 6, 2010 7:53:56 GMT -8
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
What do you think Paul means by being of "one mind"? That could pretty easily be construed to mean "of the same opinion on matters of doctrine". Any alternate suggestions?
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Michael
Intermediate Member
Posts: 68
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Post by Michael on Nov 6, 2010 15:08:58 GMT -8
I suppose that this passage could be used by some as a proof text to call for unity of doctrinal belief, but it seems to me that Paul is calling for another kind of unity: that of encouragement, love, fellowship of the spirit, tenderness & compassion.
Also, this passage adds to the comment he made in Chapter 1, "...with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel..." And that being in the midst of persecution, both his and theirs.
In fact, if we were to experience the same kinds of trials they faced, there would probably be a lot less disagreement about theology, and a lot more comforting in love, encouragement, compassion, etc.
Of course, my next question (to myself) is, "Why wait for persecution to experience Paul's version of unity?!!!!"
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Post by Josh on Nov 6, 2010 17:49:17 GMT -8
I suppose that this passage could be used by some as a proof text to call for unity of doctrinal belief, but it seems to me that Paul is calling for another kind of unity: that of encouragement, love, fellowship of the spirit, tenderness & compassion. Also, this passage adds to the comment he made in Chapter 1, "...with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel..." And that being in the midst of persecution, both his and theirs. In fact, if we were to experience the same kinds of trials they faced, there would probably be a lot less disagreement about theology, and a lot more comforting in love, encouragement, compassion, etc. Of course, my next question (to myself) is, "Why wait for persecution to experience Paul's version of unity?!!!!" Much agreed. |
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Post by Josh on Nov 6, 2010 17:54:22 GMT -8
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Besides being probably the best exposition of the paradoxical relationship between predestination and free will in all of Scripture, this passage is also one the best explanations of the interaction between works and grace.
The Greek for the "work out" part, according to Matthew Henry suggests intense and purposeful labor involving "true pains". This is a stiff rebuke to Protestants who are too "works leery". Yet for all this passage expects of us as free will agents, it promises that God does that much more as the superintending author of our spiritual journey.
Great little passage!
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Post by Josh on Nov 7, 2010 21:47:06 GMT -8
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