Philippians chapter 2

vs 11

Ahh, birds and fish have tongues. All of this stuff takes place to the glory of God the Father. I don't know why there is a heirarchy in the Godhead, but it may very well be a false one, in that the heirarchy comes out of humility and deference rather than authority or power, which is a human way of looking at it.

vs 12

This is an encouragement to continue on in what they are doing. Because of the "therefore", we know this should link back to something? Does it link back to the Christ hymn? That's probably what most people would say - that we should work out our salvation becuase Christ died in humility for us.

I might go minority report on this and say that I think it makes more sense referring back to the part before that, about looking out for the interests of others and being humble. This makes more sense when you link verse 13 into it as well, but first...

What does "fear and trembling" mean? I think the more important question is what does "work out" mean? Katergazomai means "to do that from which something results". It could be (and is variously in other parts of the NT) translated as accomplish, bring about, effect, perform, prepare, produce. Try slotting some of those into "work out" and see what you think about working out. Produce your salvation? Bring about your salvation? Effect your salvation? We don't like any of those, do we? That's probably why all 3 of my translations follow the original KJV wording here.

For your interest, fear also means "reverence for your husband" on its own, but when mixed with trembling, the obvious idea is one of real scary terror. The lexicon suggests that "fear and trembling" might be an idiom which suggests someone's distrust of their inability to perform a task, but to them go ahead and try to do it anyway".

vs 13

See, when you throw this verse in too, then the willing and acting for his good purpose seems to fit the "therefore" better, at least by my reckoning. Instead of "do this because of Jesus' death" (which was also being used as an example for our own attitude) the reasoning for their continuance in obedience and the effecting of their salvation is because they should be looking to the interests of others, because when they do God's work, they it's God working in them anyway.

vs 14

What a great verse. Worth memorising that one.

vs 15

Paul's focus certainly seems to be on the blamelessness and humility of the Philippians, on their position before God. And it does seem to have something to do with their witness to the outside world too.

vs 16

He is concerned, obviously, that the work he has started is completed faithfully, and that he does everything he can to see the churches he has started become mature and continue his legacy.

vs 17

Even if it expends Paul fully to see the Philippians' sacrifice to God as a reality, to see it accepted by God, then he thinks that's been worth it. That shows how devoted he is to them being right with God.

vs 18

In part, him being that drink offering is because of his suffering in prison, but their attitude towards it should be joy, because it brings them to God, rather than sadness, because Paul's in prison.

See, when you read 10 verses a day, it's easy to become separated from the context. But this letter, up to this point, only takes a few minutes to read. We have to keep our context glasses open wide.

vs 19

Normally he sends Timothy to go and do stuff, but what's he's really looking forward to this time is a report from Philippi. Timothy could even have been carrying this letter (which might explain why he's mentioned at the beginning of the letter, even though the rest of it is written in the singular).

vs 20

Timothy also obviously cares about the Philippians. That's nice.