Questions tagged [philippians]
Questions about Paul's letter to the Philippians.
53
questions
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Understanding “others are better” in Philippians 2:3
It says "Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves."
This simple passage is actually complex from my perspective. Who are the "others" it refers to? Other Christians, or all ...
5
votes
4answers
115 views
Does Philippians 2:12 contradict 3:9?
Philippians 2:12 (NASB) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work
out your salvation with fear and trembling;
...
1
vote
3answers
110 views
In Philippians 2:9-11 does YHVH surrender his name to the Messiah?
As far back as Exodus, God told the Jews not to give YHVH's angel/agent a hard time because "my name is in him":
[Exo 23:21 KJV] (21) Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
In Philippians 2:16 what does Paul mean by “holding firm to the word of life”?
[Phl 2:12-16 CSB] (12) Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13)...
1
vote
3answers
174 views
In Phil 4:6, should we interpret “anxiety” as a sin?
As a young Bible college student, being told from the pulpit that “if you have low self esteem, you are a sinner who is insulting God” left a life-long impression on me, an introverted person who at ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
In Philippians 4:5, what does Paul mean by “the Lord is at hand”?
Phl 4:5 KJV - 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Variants of the phrase appears also in multiple prophets:
Isa 13:6 KJV - 6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
What did Christ empty Himself of in the “Kenosis”? [duplicate]
In Phil 2:7, it is said that Christ emptied himself in order to take on the form of man in the incarnation.
2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men (...
4
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5answers
520 views
The Phrase “Hebrew of Hebrews” in Philippians 3:5?
Was Paul trying to say he belonged to the Hebrews or that all the Hebrews belonged to him. Did he mean the phrase both ways when he used it in his expression? What is the right way to interpret ...
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vote
2answers
119 views
In Philippians 1:6 and 1:10 what is/when is “the day of Jesus Christ”?
ESV Philippians 1:
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every
prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of
your partnership in the gospel from the ...
1
vote
2answers
106 views
In Philippians 2:11 are “God” and “the Father” used in apposition?
According to Wikipedia, Apposition is a grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, are placed side by side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different ...
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3answers
106 views
Should Philippians 2:11b read “to the glory of God” or “[is] in the glory of God”?
The Vulgate version of Philippians 2:11 reads:
VUL et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris.
Translation and every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus ...
2
votes
2answers
164 views
How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15?
Philippians 1:15 (NKJV)
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former b preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add ...
3
votes
2answers
245 views
In Romans 6:5-11 is the resurrection of the believer a fait accompli?
Paul seems unambiguous that the believer died with Christ but seems to suggest that the resurrection of the believer is still future. But in verse 11 it sounds like a fait accompli. Which is it?
...
2
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1answer
106 views
Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb παρακαλέω twice in Philippians 4:2?
Philippians 4:2
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. KJV, 1679
Βʹ εὐωδίαν παρακαλῶ καὶ Συντύχην παρακαλῶ τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν κυρίῳ TR, 1550
...
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1answer
63 views
Is the 16th & 17th verse transposed in Philippians 1?
Philippians 1:14 (NKJV)
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even ...
4
votes
5answers
810 views
What does Paul mean when he states “that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?”
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and ...
3
votes
1answer
131 views
Which translation is better Philippians 4:6 Pray about everything (NLT) or pray in every situation?
NLT "Pray about everything" implies ask for anything, don't hesitate in asking even for little things, ask everything freely; be meticulous. Whereas other translations put it "in everything or in any ...
2
votes
3answers
365 views
In Philippians 1:13, to which “palace” does the apostle Paul refer?
In Philippians 1:13, it is written,
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; KJV, 1769
ΙΓʹ ὥστε τοὺς δεσμούς μου φανεροὺς ἐν Χριστῷ γενέσθαι ἐν ...
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2answers
161 views
Are Romans 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 and Philippians 1:14-18 contradictory?
Are Romans 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 and Philippians 1:14-18 contradictory?
In Romans Paul seems to be saying that the only ones who can preach the gospel and stimulate faith in the hearers are ...
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2answers
82 views
In Phil 2:7, what does εν ομοιωματι ανθρωπων γενομενος mean?
In Phil 2:7, what does εν ομοιωματι ανθρωπων γενομενος mean? Is it "made", "became" or "born"?:
Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] ἀλλὰ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν μορφὴν δούλου
λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων ...
1
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1answer
181 views
In Philippians 2:8, to whom was Jesus obedient/submissive?
In Phil. 2:8, it is written,
and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient/submissive unto death--death even of a cross, YLT, 1862
Was the Lord Jesus Christ ...
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2answers
194 views
Does Philippians 2:7, 2:8 mean that Jesus was not fully human?
Does Philippians 2:7, 2:8 mean that Jesus was not fully human?
ISV Php 2:7 but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in
the likeness of men having been made, Php 2:8 and in ...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
In Philippians 1:6, what is the “good action”?
I have heard this verse used in support of the notion that "salvation" is the "good action" and the verse is affirming monergism:
Php 1:6 I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good ...
0
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1answer
556 views
In Philippians 1:19, what does Paul mean by the “supply” and what “turns out for” his deliverance?
ESV Php 1:19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the
Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
New International Version for I know that through your ...
3
votes
3answers
483 views
In Philippians 2:10, to what or whom does the Greek word καταχθονίων refer?
The Greek text of Phil. 2:10 states,
ἵνα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἐπιγείων καὶ καταχθονίων
which the King James Version (1769) translates as,
That at the name of Jesus ...
5
votes
3answers
893 views
What is the difference between the μορφῇ of God and the εἶδος of God?
who, though he was in the form [morphe] of God, did not count
equality with God a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6 ESV).
And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His
...
9
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7answers
4k views
What does the word harpagmos mean in Philippians 2:6?
MOUNCE renders it:
who, although he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with
God a thing to be grasped,
Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ
...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
What does the translation “God enhanced Jesus” mean in Philippians 2:9 (Wycliffe Bible)?
9 For which thing God enhanced him, and gave to him a name that is
above all name; [For which thing and God enhanced him, and gave to
him a name that is above all names;]
Philippians 2:9 ...
4
votes
4answers
367 views
Is Christ still in the form of God in Philippians 2:7-8?
Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV)
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with
God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form
of a servant, being born in ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
What is the significance of τὴν κατατομήν in Phil 3:2? [duplicate]
The Apostle Paul makes several references to circumcision throughout his epistles. However, in his epistle to the Philippians, he uses two different words for circumcision as the following two verses ...
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votes
1answer
307 views
The name “Jesus” in light of Philippians 2:9 [closed]
Philippians 2:9 NIV
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
What exactly did Paul mean when he said that his name was above every name? ...
3
votes
2answers
342 views
What does the Greek word διὸ mean in Philippians 2:9?
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:9 (ESV)
Westcott and Hort 1881
διὸ καὶ ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ὑπερύψωσεν, καὶ ἐχαρίσατο
...
17
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3answers
1k views
Could Philippians 4:3 refer to Paul's wife?
Philippians 4:3 reads:
ναὶ ἐρωτῶ καὶ σέ, γνήσιε σύζυγε*, συνλαμβάνου αὐταῖς, αἵτινες ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ συνήθλησάν μοι μετὰ καὶ Κλήμεντος καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν συνεργῶν μου, ὧν τὰ ὀνόματα ἐν βίβλῳ ζωῆς. (...
0
votes
1answer
193 views
In Philippians 2:25, what is the most accurate translation of «ἀπόστολον»?
The Greek text of Phil. 2:25 according to the Textus Receptus states,
ΚΕʹ Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἡγησάμην Ἐπαφρόδιτον τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ συνεργὸν καὶ συστρατιώτην μου ὑμῶν δὲ ἀπόστολον καὶ λειτουργὸν τῆς χρείας ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
What does the Greek word μεριμνᾶτε mean in Philippians 4:6?
The ESV translation of Philippians 4:6 reads:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God.
If the ESV ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
What does it mean that Jesus emptied Himself in Philippians 2:7?
When we read in Philippians 2:4-7
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the
interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours
in Christ Jesus, ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
How can one reconcile Ephesians 2:8-9 with Philippians 2:12?
It is clear from Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace received through faith alone and not one's doing, not a result of works but Philippians 2:12 seems to be saying otherwise.
For by grace ...
9
votes
3answers
14k views
What does “belly” mean in Philippians 3:19?
Many translations of the Bible use the word "belly" in Philippians 3:19:
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (ESV)
...
0
votes
4answers
281 views
What is the title above all titles in Philippians 2:9-11?
Php_2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
title which is above every title: Php 2:10 That at the title of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things ...
6
votes
1answer
542 views
What is the meaning of “katatomē” in Philippians 3:2?
I'm looking over John Frame's treatment of the third commandment in The Doctrine of the Christian Life (page 509), and he makes an interesting statement regarding Paul's angry words against his pro-...
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votes
3answers
3k views
Philippians 2:12 - How should “Work Out” be interpreted?
1. Question
In Phil 2:12, How should "Work" be translated, and why is "Out" injected?
Setting aside doctrinal presuppositions of faith/work/eternal salvation --
Phil 2:12, NASB - 12 So then, my ...
3
votes
3answers
5k views
What do the words “fear and trembling” in Philippians 2 refer to?
I learned from another question that Paul uses the same Greek words for fear and trembling (phobos and tromos) in Philippians 2:12 as found in the Septuagint in Psalms 2:11 and 55:5, and it is very ...
5
votes
1answer
358 views
Is the "Fear and trembling” in Philippians 2 related to the psalms?
Philippians 2:12b* reads:
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I notice the same two concepts are given in Psalms 2 and 55.
Psalm 2:11:
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice ...
4
votes
4answers
953 views
Does Paul support deception to convert people?
At 1 Corinthians 9:20-21, Paul says: "And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; ...
6
votes
2answers
909 views
What was granted in Philippians 1:29?
According to Philippians 1:29:
ὅτι ὑμῖν ἐχαρίσθη τὸ ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, οὐ μόνον τὸ εἰς αὐτὸν
because to you it has been granted - concerning Christ, not only - ...
1
vote
1answer
219 views
Why does sending Epaphroditus to the Philippian Christians make Paul less anxious?
Philippians 2:28 (NA28) reads:
σπουδαιοτέρως οὖν ἔπεμψα αὐτόν, ἵνα ἰδόντες αὐτὸν πάλιν χαρῆτε κἀγὼ ἀλυπότερος ὦ.
I am specifically interested in the meaning of κἀγὼ ἀλυπότερος ὦ, which simply ...
10
votes
4answers
5k views
Who is the “True Companion” in Philippians 4:3?
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians is written in the second person plural, except for the following verse.
Philippians 4:3 (NASB)
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women ...
1
vote
1answer
223 views
What is the significance of ἴσα in Phil. 2:6?
In Phil. 2:6, it is written,
ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ
Wiktionary lists the various declensions of the Greek adjective ἴσος. My question is, how is the word ...
10
votes
6answers
3k views
What evidence is there that “morphe theou” in Philippians 2:6 means “God's nature”?
Is there any evidence that μορφῇ θεοῦ (morphe theou) in Philippians 2:6 means the "nature" of God the Father?
ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ, — SBLGNT
Several ...
16
votes
3answers
19k views
Was 'σκύβαλον' (skubalon) profanity?
In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses the word σκύβαλον (skubalon), which is usually translated as "dung" , "garbage", or "rubbish". I've heard that this was considered an impolite word with much stronger ...
