Paul urges the Philippians to have humility and unity through the example of Christ. He recounts how Christ, though divine, humbled himself by becoming human and dying on the cross. Paul then gives examples of others exemplifying humility: Timothy serves others above himself; Epaphroditus risked his life to serve the Philippians and Paul. Paul wishes to send Timothy and Epaphroditus back to the Philippians to further encourage humility and unity.

1. Paul’s letter of joy – CHAPTER 2

3. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
2:1-30
A. Paul’s exhortation to humility 1-4
B. Christ’s example of humility 5-16
C. Paul’s example of humility 17-18
D. Timothy’s example of humility 19-24
E. Epaphroditus’ example of humility 25-30

5. 2 If you have any encouragement from being
united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness
and compassion, 2then make my joy complete
by being like-minded, having the same love, being
one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. 4Each
of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others.


6. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
A. Paul’s exhortation to humility, 1-4
If; the word in Greek assumes a positive response, ―I’m sure
you have…
Humility was NOT a virtue that was valued in Greek culture,
pretty much like it is not valued today.
What four qualities mark unity with Christ?
What did Paul say about self-centeredness?

7. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus:
 Who, being in very nature  God,
6 a
did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped,
 but made himself nothing,
7
taking the very nature b of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a man,
8
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
9
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

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, 13for it is God
who works in you to will and to act according to his
good purpose.
 14Do everything without complaining or arguing,
 15so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a crooked and
depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in
the universe 16as you hold out a the word of
life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ
that I did not run or labor for nothing.

9. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
B. Christ’s example of humility 5-16
v. 6 ―very nature‖ the Greek word is morphe. Jesus existed in
the form of God.
v. 6-11 are a hymn possibly used by the early church.
v. 12 ―fear and trembling‖ can refer to the sense of awe
How did Jesus limit Himself?
How is Christ the best example of humility and unselfishness
for us?
What confession will every person make?

10. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
B. Christ’s example of humility 5-16
What instructions did Paul give in relation to everyday
Christian living?
Why did the Philippian church need to show a united front to
unbelievers?
What would enable Paul to boast about the Philippians?

11. 17But even if I am being poured out like a
drink offering on the sacrifice and service
coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice
with all of you. 18So you too should be glad
and rejoice with me.

12. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
C. Paul’s example of humility 17-18
―drink offering on a sacrifice‖ Reference to vaporizing wine
poured on a burning sacrifice which symbolized the rising
of the offering to God for whom the sacrifice was made
How did Paul view his own life?

13. 19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you
soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive
news about you. 20I have no one else like him,
who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21
For everyone looks out for his own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that
Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with
his father he has served with me in the work of the
gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon
as I see how things go with me. 24And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

14. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
D. Timothy’s example of humility 19-24
Timothy was with Paul when he founded the church in
Philippi. He was a kindred-spirit of Paul’s and his protégé
v.22 ―Proved himself‖, the Greek word here indicates Tim
has been tested in difficult trials and come through them
successfully.
Why did Paul plan to send Timothy to the Philippians?
Why was Paul confident that he would revisit Philippi?

15. 25But I think it is necessary to send back to you
Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow
soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to
take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you
and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27
Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy
on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare
me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the
more eager to send him, so that when you see him
again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor
men like him, 30because he almost died for the work
of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you
could not give me.

18. OUTLINE
 II. Paul’s Appeal to Have the Mind of Christ
E. Epaphroditus’ example of humility 25-30
E had been sent by the Philippian church to bring a gift to
Paul and then to stay with Paul. He was ill and homesick
and Paul felt it was time for him to return
v. 30 ―risking his life‖, A gambling term that denotes one who
risks everything on the roll of the dice
Why and how were the Philippians told to honor their
messenger?

19. Key Verses
 Chapter 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to
die is gain.

20. Key Verses
 Chapter 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than
yourselves.

21. Key Verses
 Chapter 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a
loss compared to the surpassing
greatness of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whose sake I have lost
all things. I consider them rubbish,
that I may gain Christ

22. Key Verses
 Chapter 4:13
I can do everything through Him
who gives me strength.