The body of Christ requires both unity and humility. It is essential to understand that following Christ involves being a servant who is humble. Anything else contrary to being humble indicates failure to understand and imitate Him. The passage, Philippians 2:1-11, has six sections. These sections include appeal to the blessings as well as benefits of Jesus, a call to being united, caution against being selfish, a call to exercise humility and love that is not selfish, Christ as the perfect example of humility, and exaltation of Christ. In verses 1 and 2 of Philippians Chapter 2, Paul encourages Philippians to live in unity. By doing so, his joy would be made complete. This unity comes from being of the same mind, as it is mentioned in verse 2 of the same chapter. This is the type of community that Christians ought to strive for. In verse 1, “if there be any encouragement from Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection and sympathy” Paul indicates that there is a certain way that one should live. 1 One should live in humility towards one another, esteeming others better than oneself, and seeking for the interests of others just like Christ did as indicated in verses 3-11.
Despite the fact that we all have different perspectives on different issues, we should stay united in one spirit and purpose. In this passage, Paul did not advocate for a politically right group thought. On the contrary, he acknowledged that there are differences in people’s perceptions about different things, as indicated in Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians. The church comprises of people from different backgrounds, ages, experiences, and temperaments, among other things. As a result, unity might not be achieved easily. However, Paul emphasized unity in the church because it is important, and it is possible to achieve it. He points to the fact that unity in the church can be achieved through humility. 2 This is the reason as to why he appealed to the church at Philippi as well as to the body of Christ today to be of the same mind, the mind that was with Jesus Christ. Therefore, Christians today ought to have the same humility towards one another, think the same way about other people (considering one another better than oneself), and have the same type of selflessness that seeks for the interests of others. In order to promote and maintain unity in the church today, humility is an essential quality that is required.
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Without humility in relationships with one another, there can never be unity. Paul exhorts believers not to do things out of selfishness or conceit. This means that every believer in the church today should value the needs and interests of others. A Christian should not do anything just for selfish gain at the expense of the welfare of other people. This principle does not apply when dealing with fellow believers only; it also applies when dealing with other people who are not believers. By doing so, one demonstrates the self-emptying love of God. Whenever we have an opportunity, we ought to offer help to one another. According to Paul, putting ones’ interests before those of others is not a characteristic of people who have unity among themselves. Every believer ought to be of service to one another just as Christ did because he was a servant to the people he came across. 3 He healed, met their needs, and did not conduct himself in a way, indicating that He was better than everyone else despite being God. Therefore, through understanding that humility is the key to unity, the church is able to shine its light among men so that the Father is glorified, as stated in Mathew 5:16.
Bibliography
Essary, Kirk. “The radical humility of Christ in the sixteenth century: Erasmus and Calvin on Philippians 2:6–7.” Scottish Journal of Theology 68, no. 4 (2015), 398-420. doi:10.1017/s0036930615000216.
Thomas Nelson Publishers. The NKJV Study Bible . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008.
1 Thomas Nelson Publishers. The NKJV Study Bible . (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), p.20
2 Kirk Essary, "The radical humility of Christ in the sixteenth century: Erasmus and Calvin on Philippians 2:6–7." Scottish Journal of Theology 68, no. 4 (2015), 398.
3 Ibid., 400.
