Epistle to the Philippians

1. Phil 2:1 – NKJV “Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,” Therefore always means what’s it there for? if – oun then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, since, these things being so Perhaps we should first look at consolation – definition? paraklēsis – VINE’S a calling near, summons, (esp. for help) importation, supplication, entreaty exhortation, admonition, encouragement consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment Acts 9:31; II Cor 1:3-7 (multiple uses); II Cor 7:4; II Cor 7:7 persuasive discourse, stirring address instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:1-2, Being of the Same Mind 1 March 25, 2012 Bob Eckel

2. Therefore - Phil 1:27-30 appears relevant here. Notice the foundation of consolation – In Christ! if - ei tis Biblical usage commonly means whoever or whatever comfort of love paramythion – only NT usage Notice that this is a different word than that used for consolation love is agape – what kind of comfort is this? if - ei tis again fellowship of the Spirit association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse And what kind of fellowship is this? What is the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit in us? Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:1-2, Being of the Same Mind 2 March 25, 2012 Bob Eckel

3. if any affection and mercy Again, ei tis affection or bowels VINE’S - the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.) Col 3:12 - Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; mercy VINE’S - compassion, pity, mercy bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion emotions, longings, manifestations of pity Phil 2:2 NKJV “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.” How do we fulfill His joy? Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:1-2, Being of the Same Mind 3 March 25, 2012 Bob Eckel

4. being like-minded having the same mind being of one accord being of one mind Do you sense more than a bit of redundancy here? Why? The first mind is autos Actually a pronoun that indicates the same. The 2nd term for mind is actually agape, not mind. And autos modifies agape In Christ, the samemind is that of love isn’t it? accord is sympsychos VINE’S - This word is made up of two words syn (together with) and psychos (soul, self, inner life, or the seat of the feelings, desires, affections). So the word refers to being 'united in spirit' or harmonious. Paul desired the Philippians to be united in their affections—one in Christ in all desires! Phil 2:2 is the only occurrence of this word in the NT. The last mind is phroneō thatis actually a verb. Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:1-2, Being of the Same Mind 4 March 25, 2012 Bob Eckel

5. VINE’S to have understanding, be wise to feel, to think to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for to seek one's interest or advantage to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs) How important is this one mind thing anyway? Is this doctrine? Is this practice? What does this look like? Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:1-2, Being of the Same Mind 5 March 25, 2012 Bob Eckel