Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Philippians 2:1

Textus Receptus:
ει τις ουν παρακλησις εν χριστω ει τι παραμυθιον αγαπης ει τις κοινωνια πνευματος ει τινα σπλαγχνα και οικτιρμοι

King James:
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Comments:
This entire verse sets the context (or conditions) within which verse 2's commands and verses 3-4's prohibitions and commands become possible.

in Christ...of love...of the Spirit: The characteristics of Christian family relationships named in verse 1 are possible because they are found in Christ, and because they come from love and the Spirit. To paint the picture differently: because believers are in Christ they can share in that to which He has called them. Because they are in Christ, they can experience the compassion that comes from love and the sharing that comes from the Holy Spirit. But the priority is being in Christ.

consolation...comfort...fellowship: Consolation is a form of the word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit (the Comforter) in John 14:16-17. Here, because it is had "in Christ", the focus is on being found in commonality with others. Comfort has an etymological appeal to origins, as if to say believers should see and treat each other according to their common origin, like brothers, for instance. Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1. Fellowship is the Greek word "koinonia." The ongoing commonality among believers is the Holy Spirit's presence.

bowels and mercies: These characteristics are not given location or source apparently because they the behavioral and attitudinal outflow of being in Christ with the products of love and the Holy Spirit. In other words, to be called together in Christ with brothers and sisters of common origin and purpose should be sufficient to produce compassionate and forgiving behavior between believers. Ephesians 4:32.

Expanded Paraphrase:
If it is true that you have been called together into Christ where you now abide, and if it is true that all of you are together in Christ because of the love He has given you and commanded you to share with each other, and if it is true that all of you share all things from the Holy Spirit in common--and therefore if tender compassion and undeserved respect and forgiveness are to be shared among you--then your attitude and actions ought to be different from what they were before you were in Christ.

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