Philippians 2:4-8
Selflessness
We have been looking at Philippians with the umbrella theme of Humility in Ministry. Within Philippians, Paul presents three different prescriptions to the church in order that they may walk in a manner that was worthy of the Gospel. To recap, we discussed unity and humility as prescriptions; today, we are going to brush on the third prescription of selflessness. We will also look at these prescriptions described through the life of Christ.
Philippians 2:3-4: Selflessness
As mentioned, humility was discussed a few weeks ago in relation to verse three. This seems to tie in greatly with selflessness, as presented in verse four. It seems that these two things are almost the same; however, I do not believe that this is necessarily the case. I believe that humility is more of a mindset; a byproduct of this mindset is selflessness, in which you look out for the interests of others above your own. Humility yields selflessness.
This phrase “...look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others”(2:4) can be translated to mean “to seek” with the idea that the Philippians were to seek the interests of others as well as their own. This was an attitude that Paul was familiar with; throughout the New Testament, we are able to see a few examples of when Paul sought the interests of others rather than the interests of himself.
· 1 Cor. 10:24 “all things are permissible (lawful), but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”
· 1 Cor. 10:31 “whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jew or to the Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
What Paul was getting at in this passage was that the Philippians were to look attentively at the interests of others, as with deep interest. He wasn’t saying that the Philippians were not to care for their own needs, but that they were not to be preoccupied with them to the degree that they were neglecting the needs of others.
Gauge your selflessness: I think that you can often see how selfless you are by examining your prayer life; how much time are you spending interceding for the needs of others as opposed to yourself?
Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”
With this phrase, Paul is exhorting the believers to heed the information that he has just given, not what is to be presented. However, it is not to mean that it is to be taken separately from what is to follow, as there is a close connection and link between the two. What have been presented are the prescriptions to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel: unity, humility, selflessness. What is to be presented is the example of Christ.
Philippians 2:6: Unity Described
“Although he existed in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
The word “form” that is used here describes an outward appearance as well as an inward connection with the outward. Paul was referring to the essential nature and character of God. Through this, we are able to see Unity described through the life of Christ, as Christ was one with the Father.
Philippians 2:7-8: Humility and Selflessness Described
“But emptied Himself taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Christ voluntarily chose the path of humiliation that led to his incarnation and death. When Paul stated that Christ emptied Himself, it was a way of saying that Christ poured out Himself for the sake of man. What is to follow within this verse actually describes, even further, how that Christ was able to “empty himself.”
“Taking the form of a bondservant and being made in the likeness of men” (2:7)
These two descriptions indicate that Christ was willing to take on the form of a bondservant and was willing to be made in the likeness of men. When Christ was made into the form of a bondservant, He was willing to submit himself to having no rights or entitlements, simply as a slave. Something else to note is that Christ did not exchange the form of God for the form of a slave, but he manifested the form of God in the form of a slave. He was born like men are born; taking on all the essential qualities of man, yet fully being God.
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (2:8)
After being identified with humanity by taking on the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of men, Christ humbled Himself to the point of death. The furthest that a person can humble themselves is to the point of death; this is exactly what Christ was willing to do for all. Even further, “…even death on a cross” (2.8). The word that is used for “cross” here is one that is thought to have carried much shame. In fact, it is even thought that the word was rarely used in public settings, just considering its offensive connotation. Paul was aware of this, and yet he still included it in his letter. He was using it to describe how cruel the death of Christ actually was. Not only was Christ willing to humble himself to the utmost limit, he was willing to do it in the cruelest and most repulsive way imaginable…for an undeserving world.
Application: As we have discussed throughout this year, I challenge you to place on humility in everything you do, whether job, ministry, or relationships. If you do not take anything else from our lessons and studies, take with you the importance of humility. Examine your life in light of the humility of Christ. As He was willing to humbly and voluntarily endure the weight of our sin, we should be willing to humbly submit ourselves to Him in service; we are nothing…we should consider it an honor and privilege to humbly serve Him.
Thanks for reading,
CBMaxwell
