Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Philippians Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting Philippians 2:1-11
2:1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, 2:2make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 2:3doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; 2:4not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 2:5Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6who, existing in the form of God,
counted not the being on an equality with God
a thing to be grasped,
2:7but emptied himself,
taking the form of a servant,
being made in the likeness of men;
2:8and being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death
of the cross.2:9Wherefore also God highly exalted him,
and gave unto him the name
which is above every name;
2:10that in the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,
2:11and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
April 14, 1935: Philippians 2:5-11
Can we demonstrate as Jesus demonstrated? The exhortation “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5) shows that all may demonstrate as He did. Careful training and discipline of the thoughts are necessary to this end.
What connection has the Son of man with the Son of God? Christ, the “only begotten Son of God,” is the one and only complete, ideal man in the mind of the everywhere present God. The Son of man is the thought of this spiritual man or idea of God.
Explain why the Son of man must be lifted up. The Son of man or thought of the spiritual man is, like all thoughts, subject to the limitations of its own source. The Son-of-man consciousness must therefore be lifted up and unified with the higher consciousness of the Son of God, in order to know eternal life.
Is aspiration towards the divine proof that man's true nature is divine? The fact that man aspires to the divine shows that he has within him the elements of divinity.
How can we make the outer as the inner? By following Jesus' example of recognizing and acknowledging the Christ in our every thought, word, and deed, we unify ourselves with God, and make the outer one with the inner.
November 10, 1946: Philippians 2:5-11
What is the mind that we are told to have in us? The perfection of Divine Mind, which is best expressed and most easily understood in terms of love and service to humanity, rather than in abstract terms of the ideal. “Jesus Christ ... existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Selfless service can be grasped, and anyone may engage in it.
To what must we humble ourselves? To the power of divine wisdom and love, in which we live, move, and have our being. Since we are the expression of a power higher than our conscious self, we need humility of mind to help us realize our dependence on the invisible source of our strength and of all that we are.
To what does complete humility of soul lead? To an unmeasured capacity for exaltation. “Wherefore also (because Jesus became “obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross”] God highly exalted him.” Exaltation is an inner capacity as well as the esteem of others.
When are the two phases combined in one person? When capacity is perfected through obedience the esteem of others is attracted to the individual as a normal consequence.
November 12, 1950: Philippians 2:1-5
What mind “was ... in Christ Jesus”? Divine Mind, perfection or goodness in every respect.
September 9, 1951: Philippians 2:1-11
How can the world be saved from the dominance of materialism and the doctrine of might? It can be saved by the faith of the Christ expressed in prayer and in our daily living. Each person who believes in the power of prayer should pray earnestly for the leaders of world thought and for those in authority in every country, that they may be led to open their hearts to the spirit of humility and fairness, and may be able to work together for the good of the world.
Is it enough for the followers of the Christ to concentrate their thought and effort on the betterment of the individual? No, they must work and think in terms of world peace and betterment. Intercommunication of thought is so swift and all-embracing that all must now think in terms of the race and for all mankind.
Metaphysically Interpreting Philippians 2:12-18
2:12So then, my beloved, even 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; 2:13for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
2:14Do all things without murmurings and questionings: 2:15that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, 2:16holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain. 2:17Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all: 2:18and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.
Metaphysically Interpreting Philippians 2:19-30
2:19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 2:20For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. 2:21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 2:22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel. 2:23Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me: 2:24but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.
2:25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; 2:26since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick: 2:27for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 2:28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 2:29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor: 2:30because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
September 23, 1923: Philippians 2:19-22
When the preponderance of thought is thrown to the spiritual side, what results? When we honor God with our undivided attention, God is likeminded toward us. He, as Paul says, will care truly for your state.
December 3, 1950: Philippians 2:25-30
What is the meaning of the name Epaphroditus, and what does it signify in the text for today? The name means “lovely, charming, filled with love.” As we send thoughts of love to others and our words express Truth, the good that they may accomplish is beyond estimating.
March 16, 1952: Philippians 2:19-24
Why was Timothy, rather than some other disciple, sent to Philippi? Philippi was the chief city of Macedonia, which, being the center of commercial activity of its time, here represents the “business mind,” whose chief interest is in material gain. Those followers of the Christ who lived in such an atmosphere needed the love, faith, and understanding of a disciple like Timothy to help them rise, above selfishness and self-seeking, and to learn how to seek the true riches, spiritual substance and life.
Of what nature was Timothy's faith? It was unquestioning. “Ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth the father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-18-2014
