We finished last week’s lesson with Paul and Timothy exhorting the Philippian Christians to “work out,” that is to perform and live out their salvation with fear and trembling. And then they explained how that was done: For it is God who works in you.
Living like Christ (continued)
Read Philippians 2:14
In the Greek (and the ESV translation), Philippians 2:14-16 is one complex sentence, bearing a relationship with the exhortation to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Now the epistle explains how that is, in part, done.
Further, Paul’s earlier use of “fear and trembling” pointed back Israel’s behavior and experience, which the Old Testament described in many places (for example, Exodus 15:16, Psalm 2:11, Isaiah 19:16, and OT Apocrypha book of Judith 2:28). With the Old Testament still ringing in the ears of the first hearers, Paul then heaps on more Old-Testament allusions in the next few verses to help drive home the point of what he is saying.
– How were the Philippian Christians to do “all things”?
Grumbling: This echoes back to the book of Exodus (15:24, 16:6-8, and 17:3). Exodus 16:6-8 reads:
Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord because he has heard your grumbling against him. For who are we that you grumble about us?” Moses continued, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and more than enough bread in the morning, for he has heard your grumbling against him.
The book of Numbers also had many instances where the people of Israel grumbled against God: Numbers 11:1-6, 14:1-4, 20:2; 21:4-5.
– Who was Paul telling the Philippians not to be like?
Because Paul used the Old-Testament story of Israel as a backdrop to cast light on the meaning of what he was saying, “questioning” did not refer to the Philippians’ arguing with one another. Paul had just spoken about their salvation. So, the “questioning” in this verse refers to skeptical questioning or doubting in relating to their salvation.
So, Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians not to grumble against God or question His promises. Grumbling in an outward action; it is a living out–or better said, a not living out of the faith. Questioning is a doubting of God’s promises, which is having a lack of faith. Thus, Paul speaks to both faith and works, to both trusting in God and the living out of the faith.
Read Philippians 2:15-16
– If one doesn’t grumble (and outward, doing action) against God or question (doubting of God) His promises, what does that mean about that persons’ faith and the living out of his faith?
– What does that lead to? (vs. 15)
Blameless: A quality to which God called Abram as he renewed his covenant with him: “Walk in my presence and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).
Children of God: An Old-Testament term that applied specifically to God’s chosen people, the people of Israel.
Without blemish: An Old-Testament term reserved for the flawless animals to be used in the Tabernacle/Temple sacrifices.
– How does Paul describe the world?
Crooked and twisted generation: Wording found in Deuteronomy 32:5 (and Psalm 78:8):
His people have been unfaithful to him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.
Deuteronomy 32 is the “Song of Moses,” where God indicted Israel for its apostasy and ingratitude during their Exodus. But here, Paul uses that term to describe the pagan society that surrounded them.
– If the Philippian Christians were blameless, innocent, and without blemish (which is only true in Christ), then what do they become in the world?
Shine as lights in the world: Jesus told His followers that they were “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). So in his imagery, Paul now moves from the Old Testament to how Jesus described those who are His.
John 8:12: Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
– Discuss: how do we “shine as light” in this darkened world?
– Who is the word of life?
– How do we hold fast to the word of life?
– If we hold fast to the word of life, what will that mean “in the day of Christ”?
Read Philippians 2:17-18
Poured out as a drink offering: This wording hails back to the drink offerings of wine and oil that were poured out to the Lord every morning and evening as lambs were sacrificed at the Tabernacle/Temple (Exodus 29:40-41; Numbers 15:3-10 and 28:7-8).
– What is Paul saying might happen to him?
– Why should the people rejoice with Paul even if he may be martyred?
Plans for Timothy and Epaphroditus
Timothy
Read Philippians 2:19-24
– What does Paul soon hope to do with Timothy? Why?
– What affection did Timothy have for the Philippian Christians?
– How did Timothy and Paul see each other? (vs. 22)
– What does Paul hope to do, as well?
Excursus: Fathers in the Faith
In Philippians 2:22, Paul saw his relationship with Timothy as being a “father” to him (see also 1 Corinthians 4:17 and 1 Timothy 1:2, 18). In 1 Corinthians 4:15, referring to the Christians in Corinth, the Apostle Paul said, “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Paul’s relationship to the Corinthians was that of a spiritual father, since it was through him that God the Holy Spirit brought them new life through the gospel (2 Corinthians 12:14). His spiritual fatherhood also extended to others, including Titus (Titus 1:4) and Onesimus (Philemon 10).
Yet, when speaking to the Pharisees, we find Jesus saying:
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Rabbi, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matthew 23:8-12]
First, we must recognize to whom Jesus is applying His words: The Pharisees, the ones who were applying their use of such titles for self-aggrandizement. Thus, Jesus was speaking to the one bearing such titles, not to others.
Jesus was teaching that someone was not to use his titles to exalt himself above others (like the Pharisees typically did), for “you are all brothers.” Instead of acting in a way where someone’s position gave him a place of privilege, he should, rather, strive to serve others through his positions: “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
For when we read through the New Testament, we find its writers applying terms such as “teacher” or “father” to others many times. For example, John 3:10, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, and 2 Timothy 1:11 all refer to someone else as “teacher.” Luke 16:24; 1 Corinthians 4:15; and Colossians 3:21 all refer to someone else as “father.” Sometimes, the writer applies such a term to himself, which the Apostle Paul does.
So, using a title to refer to others or yourself within the Church is fine–as long as someone doesn’t use a title he has to exalt himself at the expense of others. So, calling your pastor, “pastor,” “reverend,” “teacher,” or even “father,” is fine. For example, “Reverend Father” was a typical term of address for Lutheran pastors during the Reformation period.
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Epaphroditus
Read Philippians 2:25-29
The Philippians sent Epaphroditus to bring financial aid to Paul and, perhaps, stay on and help him during his time of imprisonment.
– What happened to Epaphroditus? (vs. 30)
– In what three ways does Paul first describe Epaphroditus in verse 25?
– How did Epaphroditus serve Paul? (vs. 25)
– How did Paul what the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus back?
To complete what was lacking in your service: This expression sounds awkward in English. Paul was not belittling the Philippians for what they didn’t do. Instead, he was recognizing that what the Philippians did do for him did not reach its completion until Epaphroditus arrived: Epaphroditus completed the Philippians’ service to Paul by delivering their gift.
