FOUND5312 Bible Study Methods Yanadi Sutan (0578/MDiv)

Passage: Philippians 2:1-4 date: 25-26 day tue-wed month 09 (sep) year 2018

(1) If
then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with
the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent
(2)
on one purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more
(3)
important than yourselves.
(4) Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4 (CSB)

OBSERVATION

Observation:
1. Unity, sameness, or oneness is the running theme.
2. The main clause is ‘make my joy complete’.1
3. Cause-and-effect (if-then) relationship.
4. Causes include:
a. encouragement in Christ,
b. consolation of love,
c. fellowship with the Spirit, and
d. affection and mercy.
5. Effects include:
a. thinking the same way,
b. having the same love,
c. united in spirit, and
d. intent on one purpose.
6. Expected outcomes:
a. penultimate
i. unity
ii. caring for others
iii. humility
b. ultimate
i. living in Christian community
ii. make joy complete

Question:
1. What does “encouragement in Christ” mean (1) ?

1
Moisés Silva, Philippians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Moisés Silva.
(Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1988; repr., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1992), 100.

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2. What does “consolation of love” mean (1) ?

3. What does “fellowship with the Spirit” mean (1) ?
4. How does “having the same love” look like (2) ?
5. How and why did unity make Paul’s joy complete (2) ?
6. Given the causes (1) , why did Paul expect the effects (2) ?
7. Did Paul imply simply caring for others (4) or prioritizing others (3) ?

INTERPRETATION

1. encouragement: In Greek, ‘παράκλησις (paraklēsis)’, which in ESV is also translated as

‘consolation’, ‘comfort’, ‘earnestly’, ‘appeal’, and ‘exhortation’.
‘Encouragement in Christ’ in this context can mean ‘motivation from having hold tight to
the truth that Christ has accomplished and the hope that He has promised’. It then makes
sense why Paul expected unity in the church since church is a body of people who share
‘holding tight to the truth and the hope of Christ’. ‘Encouragement in Christ’ should
motivate and drive Christians in their life and walk.
Dr. Silva translated the phrase as ‘exhortation that comes from union with Christ’.2 Here
the term ‘union with Christ’ is interesting, which theologically refers to the outcome of
conversion and then of imputation of Christ’s righteousness. This means that having been
justified by and in Christ motivates Christians.
2. consolation: In Greek, ‘παραμύθιον (paramuthion)’, which is used only here. Likely to
share the same or similar meaning as ‘παράκλησις (paraklēsis)’.
love: In Greek, ‘ἀγάπης (agapēs)’, generally ‘ἀγάπη (agapē)’, which in ESV is always
translated as ‘love’. The ‘love’ that this word carries specifically refers to the
unconditional love as shown by God to undeserving sinners.
‘Consolation of love’ in this context can mean ‘motivation from having received
unconditional love of sovereign and holy God despite being undeserving recipient’. It then
makes sense why Paul expected unity in the church also since church is a body of people
who share ‘receiving unconditional love of God undeservingly’. ‘Consolation of love’
should also motivate and drive Christians in their life and walk.
Dr. Silva translated the phrase as ‘encouragement that love provides’,3 confirming the
interpretation that God’s love motivates Christians.
3. fellowship: In Greek, ‘κοινωνία (koinōnia)’, which in ESV is also translated as
‘contribution’, ‘participation’, ‘taking part’, ‘plan’, ‘partnership’, and ‘sharing’.
Spirit: In Greek, ‘πνεύματος (pneumatos)’, generally ‘πνεῦμα (pneuma)’, which in ESV
is also translated as ‘became strong’, ‘windblow’, ‘breath’, and ‘wind’. In this context it is
clear that it is referring specifically to the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting to note that CSB’s ‘fellowship with the Spirit’ is translated as
‘participation in the Spirit’ in ESV. The former (CSB) indicates the Spirit to be the object
of fellowship/participation, while the latter (ESV) indicates the Spirit to be the basis of

2
Silva, 99.
3
Ibid.

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fellowship/participation. Given the two translations and context, I incline toward the
latter, namely ‘fellowship with the Spirit’ can mean ‘a community who shares in the life
of the Holy Spirit’. It then makes sense why Paul expected unity in the church also since
the members of the church share the same life of the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Silva translated the phrase as ‘fellowship produced by the Spirit’,4 confirming the
interpretation about the Spirit being the basis, or even the cause, of
fellowship/participation.
4. same: In Greek, ‘autēn (αὐτὴν)’, generally ‘autos (αὐτός)’, which in ESV is usually
translated as various possessive pronouns.
love: In Greek, ‘agapēn (ἀγάπην)’, generally ‘ἀγάπη (agapē)’, which in ESV is always
translated as ‘love’. The ‘love’ that this word carries specifically refers to the
unconditional love as shown by God to undeserving sinners.
Because ‘love’ here refers specifically to God’s love and ‘same’ here refers to possessive
pronoun, ‘having the same love’ can be interpreted as ‘having His love’ or ‘having God’s
love’. But in the context of ‘fellowship with the Spirit’, ‘having the same love’ can also be
interpreted as ‘having each other’s love’. Therefore, ‘having the same love’ can mean
‘having each other love one another on the basis of God’s love’. Flowing from
‘consolation of love’ in the preceding verse, it then makes sense that Paul said that
‘having each other love one another’ ‘having received unconditional love of God’ as ‘the
basis’.
Dr. Silva translated the phrase as ‘sharing the same love’,5 confirming the interpretation
about the inclusion of the element of ‘each other’ by ‘sharing’ the love that Christians
have received unconditionally from God.
5. Dr. Silva argued that hardships may have caused the Philippians to lose the Christian
perspective of joy. Paul’s words were aimed to exhort them that their unity brings him joy
so that they would pursue it. “The key to joy consists in shifting our attention away from
ourselves and onto the needs of others.”6 Paul might also teach the Philippians that their
unity should also bring joy to them as they witness others in their Church being in
harmony with one another. Furthermore, if the Philippians share the same thinking, love,
spirit, and purpose, it would display and encourage Paul that his preaching of the Gospel
was not in vain (cf. 1 Cor 15:1-2) and bore fruit (cf. Col 1:3-6).
6. The answers to questions number 1, 2, 3, and 4 have covered this. Further, Dr. Müller
argued that the phrase ‘make my joy complete’ presupposed that “Paul already knows joy,
but that his cup can be made full or fuller.”7 This means that despite being imprisoned and
yet joyful, he expected to be made even more joyful by hearing testimonies about the
improving unity of the Philippians. This is also consistent with the teaching of John, the

4
Silva, 99.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid., 100.
7
Jacobus Johannes Müller, The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, ed. Ned Bernard Stonehouse, New
International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Frederick Fyvie Bruce (1955; repr., Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1988), 73.

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Apostle of Christ, in the book of 1 John on natural cause-and-effect for people who have
been born from above, namely Christians.
7. more important: In Greek, ‘ὑπερέχοντας (hyperechontas)’, generally ‘ὑπερέχω
(huperechō)’, which in ESV is also translated as ‘governing’, ‘more significant’,
‘surpassing worth’, and ‘supreme’.
Verse 3 mentions about ‘prioritizing others’ on the basis of “humility”, especially in view
of the word study on ‘more important’. Verse 4 mentions about ‘caring for others’ without
ignoring “his own interests”. It is possible that the command to ‘caring for others’ is on
the basis of the preceding argument, namely ‘prioritizing others’. This means that
Christians’ realization on the need to prioritize others should result in them to not only
care about themselves, but also about others. The command in verse 3 to ‘prioritizing
others’ cannot be reduced to just ‘caring for others’, but the command in verse 4 to ‘caring
for others’ can be said to have its basis on ‘prioritizing others’.
Dr. Silva argued that Paul was contrasting humility with selfishness (also in verse 3).
Selfishness results in only looking out for self, and not others.8 Dr. Müller said, “Such a
mind (selfishness), furthermore, is adverse to the spirit of unity in the church, for it seeks
itself and breaks up the fellowship.”9 In view of what Drs. Silva and Müller have said,
humility (in verse 3) is linked with caring for others (in verse 4) and with unity (in verse
1-2).

CORRELATION

(1)
consolation of love:
- love of God for undeserving sinners (Rm 5:8; 1 Jn 4:9-10, 16);
- love of Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thes 2:16; 1 Jn 3:16);
- love of the Holy Spirit (Rm 15:30).
→ meaning: Godly love
fellowship with the Spirit:
- a community on the basis of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13; 2 Cor 13:13; Eph 4:3).
affection and mercy:
- characteristics of and requirements for Christian community (Col 3:12).
(2)
thinking the same way:
- living in harmony (Rm 12:16; 15:5; Phil 4:2);
- cooperating harmoniously (2 Cor 13:11).
→ meaning: not uniformity, but having an agreeable goal and a cooperative spirit
having the same love:
- loving each other (2 Thes 1:3);
- loving each other imitating love of Christ (1 Jn 3:16).
→ meaning: sharing love with each other on the basis of Godly love

8
Silva, 101.
9
Müller, 75.

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FOUND5312 Bible Study Methods Yanadi Sutan (0578/MDiv)

united in spirit, intent on one:

- to unite into one purpose and destination (Jn 11:52).
(3)
selfish ambition:
- self-seeking (Rm 2:8).
conceit:
- provocation and envy (Gal 5:26).
humility:
- characteristics of and requirements for Christian community (Col 3:12).
more important:
- governing authority (Rm 13:1; 1 Pt 2:13);
- surpassing value (Phil 3:8; 4:7).
→ meaning: better, higher, or more superior
(4)
not only for his own interests:
- not to please ourselves (Rm 15:1)
for the interests of others:
- loving others (Lv 19:18; Mk 12:31);
- serving posture despite high position (Mk 10:45);
- prioritizing others (1 Cor 10:24);
- not rude, not self-seeking, not irritable, not keep a record of wrongs (1 Cor 13:5);
- seek the interests of Christ (Phil 2:21).
→ meaning: prioritizing others out of love with serving attitude on the basis of Christ

APPLICATION

Thanksgiving:
I am so grateful being part of Grace Baptist Church, Singapore, that attempts to be balanced in
being serious in theology and in genuinely and seriously pursuing to love one another in the
Church. Currently we are going through expository series on the book of 1 John, which
encourages me to live and practice loving my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Practice:
A. I will intentionally meet and spend time with people just to understand them more, pray
for them, and read God’s Word together. Once a week.
B. I will immerse myself more into the life of the Church by being involved in more Church
gatherings and bible study classes. Once to twice a week on top of Lord’s day service.
C. In my pursuit for doctrinal clarity and purity, I will put unity in the Church above non-
essential disagreements during any Church bible study classes.
D. I will intentionally pursue to participate in serving the food especially to the elderly group
after Lord’s day service.

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Worksheet

(1) Soif there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of
(2)
one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than
(3)
yourselves.
(4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV)

(1)
Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ, εἴ τι παραμύθιον ἀγάπης, εἴ τις κοινωνία πνεύματος, εἴ τις
σπλάγχνα καὶ οἰκτιρμοί,
Ei tis oun paraklēsis en Christō ei ti paramythion agapēs ei tis koinonia Pneumatos ei tis
splanchna kai oiktirmoi,
If [there is] any therefore encouragement in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of
[the] Spirit if any affections and compassions,
(2)
πληρώσατέ μου τὴν χαρὰν ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε, τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην ἔχοντες, σύμψυχοι, τὸ ἓν
φρονοῦντες,
plērōsate mou tēn charan hina to auto phronēte tēn autēn agapēn echontes sympsychoi to hen
phronountes
fulfill my – joy so that the same you may be minded the same love having united in soul the
same thing minding,
(3)
μηδὲν κατ᾽ ἐριθείαν μηδὲ κατὰ ⸃ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι
ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν,
mēden kat’ eritheian mēde kata kenodoxian alla tē tapeinophrosynē allēlous hēgoumenoi
hyperechontas heautōn,
nothing according to self-interest or according to vain conceit but – in humility one another be
esteeming surpassing themselves,
(4)
μὴ τὰ ἑαυτῶν ἕκαστοι σκοποῦντες, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ ἑτέρων ἕκαστοι.
mē ta heautōn hekastoi skopountes alla kai ta heterōn hekastoi.
not the things of themselves each considering but also the things of others each.

Credit: “STEP,” Tyndale House, https://www.stepbible.org/;

“Greek Interlinear,” BibleHub, https://biblehub.com/interlinear/philippians/2-1.htm, /2-2.htm, /2-3.htm,
and /2-4.htm;
English Standard Version (ESV) Bible, 2016 Text Edition, Crossway, 2001, Wheaton, IL;
Christian Standard Bible (CSB), Holman (LifeWay), 2017, Nashville, TN.

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Works Cited

Books

Müller, Jacobus Johannes. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Edited by Ned Bernard
Stonehouse. New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by Frederick
Fyvie Bruce. 1955. Reprint, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1988.

Silva, Moisés. Philippians. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, edited by
Moisés Silva. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1988. Reprint, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1992.

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