Philippians 4:2

Textus Receptus:
ευωδιαν παρακαλω και συντυχην παρακαλω το αυτο φρονειν εν κυριω

King James:
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Comments:
I beseech... I beseech: Paul pleads with each one individually, as if to emphasize the division in their current relationship.

Euodias... Syntyche: It is at least interesting that the names of these women in conflict mean something like "pleasant way" and "serendipity."

same mind: This is the third time in the book of Philippians Paul has used the same expression to refer to having the mind of Christ in unity with each other. The other times are chapter 2:2 and 3:16.

Expanded Paraphrase:
I implore Euodias to share the way with Syntyche. And I implore Syntyche to be brought together with Euodias. Christ only has one mind. If both had His mind they would have peace with each other.

References:
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Philippians 4:1

Textus Receptus:
ωστε αδελφοι μου αγαπητοι και επιποθητοι χαρα και στεφανος μου ουτως στηκετε εν κυριω αγαπητοι

King James:
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Comments:
dearly beloved... dearly beloved: Paul uses the same word in chapter 2:12 where he also gives them an edict regarding their behavior. He is not simply sugar-coating medicine. He is grounding obedience the same way the Lord does in passages like John 15:12.

stand fast: The same word in chapter 1:27 describes what Paul hopes to find the Philippians doing when (and if) he visits them, and it is used in the same context of unity.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Since Christ is transforming you and your only enemies are the enemies of the cross, as I count you my brothers in Christ, loving and missing you, regarding you fondly and realizing my own victory in your obedience, so persevere in Christ, allowing your love for Him to be revealed in how you treat each other, just as I love you.

References:
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 3:21

Textus Receptus:
ος μετασχηματισει το σωμα της ταπεινωσεως ημων εις το γενεσθαι αυτο συμμορφον τω σωματι της δοξης αυτου κατα την ενεργειαν του δυνασθαι αυτον και υποταξαι εαυτω τα παντα

King James:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Comments:
change: The word for change is very strong, as in "transform," and is from the compound of the prefix "meta" and the Greek word used about Jesus' "fashion as a man" in chapter 2:8.

vile: This word is translated "humble" or "lowly" in other places and is used about Jesus as a verb in chapter 2:8.

fashioned like: This word is the Greek prefix for "together" and the word used about Jesus being in the "form" of God in chapter 2:6.

glorious: It is only after the humiliating crucifixion of Christ that His exaltation becomes apparent in chapter 2:9-11. Paul's command for believers to avoid "vainglory" in chapter 2:3 (a compound of this word) is followed by his command for them to have the mind of Christ who then humbles Himself to the cross before He is exalted by His Father. Paul is telling believers they must make the same journey, as he does in 2 Timothy 2:11-12 as well.

working...subdue all things: Paul is specific here about the confidence he exhibits in chapter 1:6. Jesus will finish His work in believers because He has led the way with His own sacrifice and example and because He will return to receive His rightful inheritance, including their full submission to Him.

Expanded Paraphrase:
And when He does fulfill our expectation--when He does come back for us--He will transform the humbled body we endure in this world so that it becomes like His perfected and exalted body. Just as His death led to His glory, He will accomplish the work of transforming our sacrifice and loss into reward. But for us, the reward is that we will finally be fully submitted to Him.

References:
Philippians 2:3-11 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Timothy 2:11-12 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 3:20

Textus Receptus:
ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον

King James:
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Comments:
conversation: This word is not the one usually translated (in the King James) into English as "conversation." This word is from a Greek word meaning "citizenship." It is the same word Paul uses in chapter 1:27. The point is to contrast the enemies' focus on the world with the disciples' true citizenship in heaven.

is: This word is more packed with meaning than the normal copulative. In this case, as in the other passage in Philippians with this word, chapter 2:6, it implies an original, natural submission to something else. In this case, believers are under heaven literally and teleologically--it sets the pattern of their lives.

we look for the Saviour: Colossians 3:1-4 makes the same connection between disciples' anticipation of Christ's return and their transformation here and now.

Expanded Paraphrase:
The reason you can follow me and others who give you the same example is that we are citizens of heaven. Because our hope is there, so is our purpose. It is from there that we will see our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, return to save us from this world. So it is to there that we look now for deliverance from bondage to the destruction inherent in living for this world.

References:
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Philippians 3:19

Textus Receptus:
ων το τελος απωλεια ων ο θεος η κοιλια και η δοξα εν τη αισχυνη αυτων οι τα επιγεια φρονουντες

King James:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Comments:
whose end is destruction... belly... earthly things: That the telos (end, purpose) of these enemies of the cross is to be destroyed is, in this verse, more a commentary on the nature of things they have chosen than on the unilateral activity of God. Particularly, the "earthly things" they have chosen to value above all else are not just of the earth, but literally "of the surface of the earth." In other words, because they have chosen the passing things of the earth, they will perish with their desire. Compare Galatians 6:7-8 and contrast chapter 1:21.

whose glory is in their shame: Paul may be speaking of the kind of shame John identifies in Revelation 3:18.

mind: Paul uses the same word for mind here that he used in chapter 2:5 to charge believers with having the mind of Christ.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Now their purpose is the very thing which shall be taken from them in the end, so that they have no future but ruin. They serve and long after their own appetites. They treat their most despicable acts as things that ought to be exalted. They have set their minds on the superficial things of the world.

References:
Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

1 Corinthians 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Philippians 3:18

Textus Receptus:
πολλοι γαρ περιπατουσιν ους πολλακις ελεγον υμιν νυν δε και κλαιων λεγω τους εχθρους του σταυρου του χριστου

King James:
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Comments:
For many walk: The others to whom Paul refers here are those who not only err, but also somehow entice believers to follow them. While tolerance is lauded in Western culture, discernment and often exclusion is what is needed. The nature of these false leaders' errors is in the next verse.

weeping: Paul's grief at the error of the leaders he describes here is consistent with God's own attitude toward those who need to be judged. Ezekiel 18:23, 31-32.

Expanded Paraphrase:
But you must be particular about whom you follow. Not everyone who appears to serve Christ really follows Him. I have spoken to you over and over again about many who are walking as the enemies of the very thing they ought to embrace--the cross of Christ. I am not glad to be right about them; rather I weep both for the cause of Christ and for their condition and impending judgment.

Reference:
Ezekiel 18:23, 31-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves , and live ye.

Philippians 3:17

Textus Receptus:
συμμιμηται μου γινεσθε αδελφοι και σκοπειτε τους ουτως περιπατουντας καθως εχετε τυπον ημας

King James:
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Comments:
followers together: Paul puts a prefix ("together") on a word he uses to make this same point in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, much like 1 Corinthians 11:1. The author of Hebrews and John also argue that believers ought to imitate mature, faithful, Christian leaders with that word in Hebrews 13:7 and 3 John 11.

Expanded Paraphrase:
You are not yet complete in your Christian growth. You may not be sure how to behave to become more like Christ. But you are my brothers and sisters in Christ and you can set your sights on my Christian walk and the walk of those who are similarly faithful. Then imitate that walk.

Philippians 3:16

Textus Receptus:
πλην εις ο εφθασαμεν τω αυτω στοιχειν κανονι το αυτο φρονειν

King James:
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Comments:
the same rule...the same thing: Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 4:1, and Colossians 2:6 each deal with different, specific aspects of the same general point made by this verse. Galatians' liberty, Ephesians' walk, and Colossians' faith are all things received at salvation but lived out in the world only as the believer conforms his behavior to his real status in Christ. The "rule" to which the believer should conform is set by the believer's secure salvation in Christ.

walk: This word is stronger than usual, implying that the believer marches in obedience to a set standard.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Completing the point, we ought to march according to the standard set by what we already possess in Christ. All of our values should be set by the most valuable thing we possess, our salvation.

Philippians 3:15

Textus Receptus:
οσοι ουν τελειοι τουτο φρονωμεν και ει τι ετερως φρονειτε και τουτο ο θεος υμιν αποκαλυψει

King James:
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Comments:
as many as be perfect: There is a sense of perfection (completeness) among those who realize they are not perfect (complete.) Verse 12 is where Paul makes the contrasting statement about himself--that he is not perfect. Chapter 1:6 implies one reason why a person who is not complete is complete. But in this context, the explanation is in the next verse--that is, there are some things Christ has completed (perfected) in the believer and other things He is in the process of completing in the believer.

God shall reveal even this unto you: Paul makes it clear here that God addresses specific deficiencies in believers' lives as the need arises. Of course, God may use scripture, other believers, or His Spirit in the believer to reveal where they are errantly minded. The point is only that He will do it, making much of the evaluation and judgment believers perform on each other unnecessary at best and no less than a hindrance or distraction at worst.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Those of us who have been transformed by Christ and are secure in Him should regard what Christ has already done. If there are areas in your life where things other than Christ are taking first priority, God will let you know about it.

Philippians 3:14

Textus Receptus:
κατα σκοπον διωκω επι το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου

King James:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Comments:
I press: Here is finally the one thing Paul says he does in verse 13. And he uses exactly the same word (same vocabulary and form) in verse 12, translated "I follow" in the King James. The picture is simple. While he is ignoring the starting line and stretching out toward the finish line Paul is faithfully pressing forward (taking the next step) in the race. He certainly has no interest in returning to the starting line. What could there be for him in a place he was so anxious to leave at his conversion? And simply anticipating the future goal does not bring it any closer to fulfillment. So it is consistently and diligently pressing on which makes his Christian life what it is, a model of Christian growth both in humility and confidence.

high calling: Paul's reference to the calling here is very similar to Ephesians 1:18 and Ephesians 4:1. The point is both that the believer's current condition is inferior to his true identity and that his true identity is heavenly.

Expanded Paraphrase:
Now focused on my future fulfillment in Christ, the one thing I do is press on both steadily and with perseverance. Motivating me is my ultimate goal in the race--what I will receive when the race is finished--the reward of the heavenly calling God has given me in Jesus Christ.