Reading for April 18th

EXAMPLES OF THE GOSPEL'S RECONFIGURATION OF HONOR
In verses 2.1-47: Specific examples of Jesus (2.6-11), Timothy and Epaphroditus (2.19-3.1a) and Paul himself (3.1b-4.1a) express the frame of mind of Paul commends before he exhorts the Philippians toward unity in the church (4.1b-7).

Read Philippians 2.1-11
In 2.1-4: The proper mind.
The Philippians must seek true honor, not their own glory.
In verse 1: If there is any encouragement in Christ ... , not an expression of doubt but a call for consideration.
In verse 2: Make y joy complete, that is more joy than he already has despite difficult circumstances; an appeal based on the common benefits he and his audience share as believers.
In verse 3: Self-centered ambition seeks to elevate one's own status (1.15, 17); conceit, "empty glorying," is an improper motive when the goal of life is the "glory" of God (1.11; see 4.20).
In verses 6-11: A hymn on Jesus' unselfish disposition.
It is unclear whether Paul composed this hymn himself or is quoting it.
The example of Jesus is central tot he message be brings the Philippians.
Just as Jesus' is described as a slave (v. 7), so are Paul and Timothy (1.1; 2.22).
Just as Jesus submitted to the point of death (v. 8), so Epaphroditus moved "close to death" (2.30) for the sake of Christ.
Voluntarily giving up privileges for the sake of others and to God's glory redefines conventional views of honor in which a person compete fiercely to gain more favor than their peers.
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