(19-30)Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. There is, first of all, the readiness to forego, for the good of others, things to which we feel we have a fair claim. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. I. St. Paul sees in the Passion of our Lord the crown and climax of the stupendous act of condescension which began in His incarnation. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour.

Philippians 2:11. Having the mind of Christ in one is equivalent to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as well as to the indwelling of the Father and the Son in Christian hearts.

We see more fully this lesson of humility when we consider our Lord’s dependenceExpository Notes with Practical Observations on the New TestamentHeinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New TestamentJohann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New TestamentMatthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy BibleJohn Eadie's Commentary on Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians". He wanted his readers to remember that the very qualities he had been advocating were observable in the Lord Jesus. All Rights Reserved. The thought here is not simply that they were to see what Jesus Christ did as an example which they were to follow, although it included that, but that they were to see it as something into which they were to actually enter by experience. 5 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.

The Christian's being "in Christ," "in God," "in the Holy Spirit," or having "the word of Christ dwell in" him are also equivalent in every way.

© 2020 Christianity.com. To isolate Christian morality from Christian theology is to rend asunder the teaching of the New Testament as to its deepest and most vital elements. . Remember, too, another point in which we need the mind of Christ. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. g 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged In the great passage which follows we have a suggestive example of Christian moral teaching. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Surely we cannot fail if we wish to keep Him before our eyes to find even in the busiest life some still time for thought, for looking backwards and forwards, for withdrawing ourselves for a moment from the throng of common cares and pleasures to some peaceful hillside, from amidst the swarming and noisy flats of life, where we may snatch short times of insight and resolution which may be worked out in days of hurry or perhaps of gloom. This is made clear in Here then was the call to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him ((1) That the incarnate Christ alone is here spoken of ought to be beyond all question. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind.The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. For the opinion which we have defended are Chrysostom and the Greek expositors; of the Reformation period and subsequently, Beza, Vatablus, Zanchius, Clarius, Calixtus, Cocceius, Crocius, Aretius; among the Catholics, Estius and a-Lapide; and among others of later date, Semler, Storr, Keil, Usteri, Kraussold, Hufnagel, Seiler, Lünemann, Müller, Hoelemann, Rilliet, Pye Smith, Neander, Meyer, Ellicott, Alford, Lechler, Beelen, and Bisping.

If the Bible seems to give an uncertain answer, remember there is a great distinction between the teaching of the Old Testament and that of the New.Let us endeavour to contemplate our Blessed Lord as the servant of the Father; in His Sacrifice lies at the foundation of service. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views.

the secret of Christian joy is found in the way the believer thinks-his attitudes.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: b 6 Who, being in very nature a God, c did not consider equality with God d something to be used to his own advantage; . His purpose is in no sense polemical.

(1) The condescension has its roots in our blessed Lord's conception of the scope and value of His own Divine prerogatives. (12-18) The apostle's purpose of visiting Philippi.

Not only does it exhibit every virtue, but it also enjoins it. ‘Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,’We may translate more literally, ‘Be thus minded (phroneite) in/among yourselves which also in Christ Jesus’. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence.

If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so.