Analysis
The Greek words used in Philippians in which we will be studying are as follows:
ἅγιος: 1. as adjective pertaining to being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God
- in the cultic sense dedicated to God, holy, sacred, i.e. reserved for God and God’s service:
ἁγιασμός: personal dedication to the interests of the deity, holiness, consecration, sanctification. Kittle: sanctifying, i.e. a process.
ἁγιωσύνη: Holiness. Kittle: “This rare word, formed from the adjective ἅγιος by extension of the o to ω after a short syllable as an abstract term of quality, in the same way as δικαιοσύνη is formed from δίκαιος, is not found in pre-biblical Greek. It means ‘sanctification’ or ‘holiness’ rather than ‘sanctifying’, but as a quality rather than a state.”
ἁγιάζω: 1. set aside something or make it suitable for ritual purposes, consecrate, dedicate of things. 2. include a person in the inner circle of what is holy, in both cultic and moral associations of the word, consecrate, dedicate, sanctify. 3. to treat as holy, reverence. 4. to eliminate that which is incompatible with holiness, purify
ὁσιότης: state of proper attitude toward God as exhibited in action, devoutness, piety, holiness.”
Passages where Paul calls the Philippians “holy ones”.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people ἁγίοις in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:21 Greet all God’s people ἅγιον in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people ἅγιοι here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
This passage speaks of “holy ones” outside of Philippi. That latter one speaks of the Romans where Paul is held prisoner.
Inferred Holiness Passages:
We don’t have any passages in Philippians where Paul uses our “holiness” words, but we do have “inferred holiness” throughout. This letter was written while Paul was in prison in Rome. He was executed some time later. He was suffering and knew that he may die for the cause. This letter expresses Paul’s being torn between departing to be with Christ, or staying and helping the Lord’s people. In this case, it is the Philippians that he wants to help.
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
This is a little different from what we’ve seen in the past, but has been inferred throughout. It was stated in pasts studies that a person can’t make themselves holy, they can only do “righteous acts” and stand in the way of the Spirit’s refining process by doing impure acts. Here though, Paul states that even the fruit of righteousness comes from Jesus. Therefore, it is the Spirit in us that causes us to do the righteous things that we do.
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Prior to this passage, Paul has spoken of his possible upcoming death. He says that he has the courage to face whatever happens to him. He struggles with what he prefers; death to be with Jesus, or life so that he can spread the Gospel more. This is what leads up to our current passage.
Paul uses his suffering as an example to the Philippians. They should “stand firm” without being scared of what may happen to them. This “standing firm” is a sign that the ones who oppose them (persecute them) will get their due in the end while the Philippians will be delivered from such wrath. So, why are they suffering? It is because God “grace-gifts” it to Christians to suffer just like Jesus did and to suffer for Jesus. χαρίζομαι is the cognate verb of χάρις (grace). Here is means “to give freely as a favor” or “give graciously”. Therefore, standing up against opposition may cause suffering, but it is a “gift” that has been given. In this passage, to stand firm as the body of Christ is a true “sign” that the "body" will be delivered in the end, and that unbelievers, the ones who are doing the persecuting, will face God’s wrath. If one is a Christian, then suffering is the norm.
Philippians 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Some scholars call this passage “the most significant passage about Jesus in the New Testament”! It truly is! Although most people start their quoting of the passage in the middle of verse 5. If we examine the passage in context, we will see that the purpose of this statement is for Christians to have a pattern to follow. Paul told the Philippians to “put others’ interest above their own". He then qualifies that with “In your relationships with one another”. In other words, we should put the interests of our fellow Christians above our own, especially when it comes to helping people.
Once the context is read in full, then the statement that Paul makes about Jesus is clear. He didn’t take advantage of his equal-ness with God. He became lowly flesh and died on a cross for all mankind! As a result, God exalts him to the highest place to be over everything, and “grace-gifts” (χαρίζομαι: the same verb Paul uses in 1:29) the name that is above every name to him. That would be the divine name Yahweh! It is at that moment that Jesus becomes the one to bow a knee to and every mouth will confess that “The Lord (Yahweh) is Jesus the Anointed”.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
With Paul’s use of ὥστε (therefore), he continues the theme through verse 18. He says to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. In the context, this has to do with how we treat each other! Of course, the main clause that everyone is interested in is:
μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε·
“You” work out your own salvation/deliverance with fear and trembling.
Of course, the statement is a plural one and it towards the congregation at Philippi as a whole, not as individuals. So, is it possible for people to be able to “work out their own salvation”? The context is still that of starting with 1:27 to the present! It is to stand first in spite of persecution and it is based upon who we treat each other! It is not that we can accomplish our own salvation, but it is how we go about our daily lives as “saved” people and how we are to obey (Fee, NICNT, 235). The context of the passage makes this clear. What we do in our devotion to the Lord should be done out of our obedience to him. Therefore, “Work out you own salvation with fear and trembling” = “Obeying” as children of God are supposed to! Don’t fail due to persecution! Don’t put your interests above your fellow Christians’ interests. Just as Jesus was obedient, suffered, and then died for others by putting their interest above his own, the Philippians are to follow that example! And they should do so without complaining about it! By doing this, they φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ (shine/appear as lights/stars in the world) among the “crooked and perverted generation”, the pagans!
Therefore, the example is not only to be seen before our God, but also before the one’s who oppose us! If we cannot treat each other properly, we are not acting like “delivered” people should act!
Philippians 3:1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
The context about Chapter 3 is around Jewish "Christians" who may come to Philippi and preach that the Philippians must keep the Jewish law in order to complete their salvation (see study on Galatians). Paul calls such people “dogs”. These are the very people that Paul says should be “cursed” in Galatians 1:6-9. Paul goes into detail about his former life and that all of his accomplishments where nothing but garbage now. As before, Paul puts Judaism in the same boat as paganism. The Philippians should watch out for such people who tried to make them keep the Jewish law.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Paul wraps up how Christians are to be in their practice of being devoted to God. Suffering will come, as well as false teachers, but those things can’t stand in the way of the Holy Spirit’s refining process in our lives.
Final Thoughts:
What would you give for your fellow brother or sister? Would you really put their interests above your own?
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