1. Ode to Joy
A Study in the Epistle to the
Philippians
Part 4
Phil 2:1-18
By Samuel E. Ward
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2. Introduction
I. This Letter Is an Expression of Paul’s Joy in the
Philippians, Phil 1:1-11.
A. Paul’s Joy Is the By-product of Thanksgiving for
the Philippians, Phil 1:3.
B. Paul’s Thanksgiving Brings Joy from Two
Precious Realizations, Phil 1:4-6.
1. The Philippians have been his partners in the
gospel since “day one,” Phil 1:4-5.
2. God will complete His ongoing work in them
until Jesus Christ returns, Phil 1:6. 2

3. C. Paul’s Prayers for Them Springs from the Joy
Due to the Bond of God’s Grace Between
Them, Phil 1:7-11.
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4. II. This Letter Is an Explanation of
Paul’s Joy in Suffering, Phil 1:12-30.
A. Paul’s Suffering Had a Positive Impact on
Motivating Others to Preach, Phil 1:12-19.
(Phil 1:14 NIV) Because of my chains, most of
the brothers in the Lord have been
encouraged to speak the word of God more
courageously and fearlessly.
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5. B. Paul’s Suffering Had No Down-Side in Terms
of Outcomes for Him, Phil 1:20-26.
(Phil 1:21 NIV) For to me, to live is Christ and
to die is gain.
C. The Philippians Had an Opportunity to
Contend for the Faith and Prove the Value of
the Faith to the End, Phil 1:27-30.
(Phil 1:29 NIV) For it has been granted to you
on behalf of Christ not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for him.
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6. Let us continue our observations of this epistle
by noting that. . .
III. This Letter Is an Exhortation to
the Philippians to Complete Paul’s
Joy in Them, Phil 2:1-18
(Phil 2 NIV) 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, {2}
then make my joy complete by being like-
minded, having the same love, being one in
spirit and purpose. 6

7. A. They Should Humbly Serve and Look Out for
Each Other, Phil 2:3-4.
(Phil 2:3-4 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. {4}
Each of you should look not only to your
own interests, but also to the interests of
others.
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8. What True Humility Is What True Humility Is Not
Considering others Stirring up trouble to
better than ourselves. make one’s self appear in
a better light or to force
one’s own will on others.
(Gk. Erithea, “strife”)
Doing things for God’s Exhibiting prideful,
glory narcissistic, snobbish,
attention-seeking
behavior (Gr. kenodoxia,
“empty glory”)
Looking out for other’s Looking out for one’s own
interests first interests 8

9. B. They Should Have the Same Attitude Toward
Humble ans Sacrificial Service as Christ
Jesus, Phil 2:5-11.
(Phil 2:5-11 NIV) Your attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being
in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped, {7} but
made himself nothing, taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness.
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10. {8} And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to
death-- even death on a cross! {9} Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and
gave him the name that is above every
name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, {11} and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father.
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11. 1. From Christ’s example we learn something of
the attitude and extent of our ministry in
bringing others to Christ.
a. We must not let our perceived station or
position keep us from serving others less
privileged than ourselves. We are never
“too good” nor “too high” to serve even the
lowliest among us.
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12. b. We must be willing to do the “nitty-gritty”
part of ministry in serving the needs of
others.
c. We must be willing to die that others might
live.
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13. (1 Tim 1:15-16 NIV) Here is a trustworthy
saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of
whom I am the worst. {16} But for that very
reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the
worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display
his unlimited patience as an example for
those who would believe on him and receive
eternal life.
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14. 2. From Christ’s example we learn the path to
receiving honor from God.
Because Jesus Christ humbly took on
human flesh and obediently served His
Father’s will even to the point of death, He
was given the highest place, the greatest
Name, and will receive the highest praise
from every creature in heaven and earth.
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15. What then is the pathway to God’s highest
honor?
a. Humble service to the least of us.
(Mark 10:43-45 NIV) Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great
among you must be your servant, {44} and
whoever wants to be first must be slave of
all. {45} For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give
his life as a ransom for many."
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16. (Mat 23:11-12 NIV) The greatest among you
will be your servant. {12} For whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted.
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17. b. Humble view of ourselves; devoid of pride,
self-righteousness, and self-importance.
(Luke 18:13-14 NIV) "But the tax collector
stood at a distance. He would not even look
up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,
'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell
you that this man, rather than the other,
went home justified before God. For
everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted."
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18. c. Humble service for the purpose of edifying
others, not a showcasing of our own talents
or abilities.
(1 Pet 4:10-11 NIV) Each one should use
whatever gift he has received to serve
others, faithfully administering God's grace
in its various forms. {11} If anyone speaks,
he should do it as one speaking the very
words of God.
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19. If anyone serves, he should do it with the
strength God provides, so that in all things
God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To
him be the glory and the power for ever and
ever. Amen.
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20. (Acts 10:25-26 NIV) As Peter entered the
house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet
in reverence. {26} But Peter made him get
up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man
myself."
Let us, then always let everything we
do, say, or sing, go to the glory of God.
(Col 3:17 NIV) And whatever you do, whether
in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
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21. d. Humble service always gives its best to the
Lord.
(Col 3:23 NIV) Whatever you do, work at it
with all your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for men.
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22. C. They Should Labor on to the Finishing of
those Works for Which They Have Been
Saved to Do, Phil 2:12-18.
1. God has work for each of us to do and is
constantly seeking to get us to willfully
cooperate with His good purpose,
Phil 2:12-13.
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23. (Phil 2:12-13 NIV) 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, {13} for it
is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.
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24. The important truth to grasp here is that we
are not saved by our works, but we are saved
to do them. God has even gone so far as to
schedule opportunities in our lives for us to
minister to others. What He needs from us is
the sensitivity and alertness to see them and
then act upon those opportunities.
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25. (Eph 2:8-10 NIV) For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by
works, so that no one can boast. {10} For we
are God's workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.
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26. 2. God desires that our work be done without
complaining or arguing with each other,
Phil 2:14-16a.
(Phil 2:14-16a NIV) Do everything without
complaining or arguing, {15} so 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 {16} as you hold out the word
of life--in order that I may boast on the day
of Christ that I did not run or labor for
nothing.
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27. a. This will have the effect of insuring that
Christians are able to be worthy
representatives as God’s children.
1) Who are holy and blameless in a
perverted and corrupt world.
2) Who shine like stars in the darkness of
this world.
3) Who are able to have a life that reflects
the gospel they preach.
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28. b. This will enable Paul to boast about a
productive and fruitful ministry not lived in
vain, Phil 2:16b.
1) Paul hoped to be able to boast about a
well-run race for the glory of Christ when
he gives an account of his ministry on the
day of Christ.
(Phil 2:16b-18 NIV) . . . --in order that I may
boast on the day of Christ that I did not
run or labor for nothing.
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29. 2) Paul already has cause to rejoice with the
Philippians should he be required to
appear before Christ sooner, rather than
later, perhaps expecting to be martyred
on any given day, Phil 2:17-18.
(Phil 2:17-18 NIV) But 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.
{18} So you too should be glad and rejoice
with me.
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30. Conclusion
We complete God’s joy in us when . . .
1. We humbly serve and look out for others
above ourselves.
2. We humbly serve and give our best to the
glory of God and not ourselves.
3. We humbly serve as lights in a dark, corrupt,
and perverse world by “holding forth the
word of life” in our works as well as our
words.
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