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“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”—Philippians 2:1–2 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING If the heart of these two verses could be summarized into just a few words, it would have to be: humility unites, pride divides. In these verses, Paul essentially tells the Philippians that if they [...]

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”—Philippians 1:29–30 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING Have you ever been granted something? Perhaps as a student, you received a grant from the government based on your good grades or economic status. Maybe you were granted permission to marry your spouse or follow your [...]

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.”—Philippians 1:27–28 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING Notice anything interesting about [...]

“Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”—Philippians 1:24–26 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING Picking up where we left off yesterday, Paul was discussing life and death matters—his life or death actually. We saw yesterday how the apostle [...]

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”—Philippians 1:21–23 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING According to theologian Charles Ellicott, a more encompassing translation of the first seven words of this passage—and in many ways, this [...]

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”—Philippians 1:19–20 (NKJV) VERSE MEANING Something to note right off the bat in this verse is that the word for deliverance (sōtēría) [...]