Philippians 2 1

Philippians 2:1 kjv

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Philippians 2:1 nkjv

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Philippians 2:1 niv

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,

Philippians 2:1 esv

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Philippians 2:1 nlt

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

Philippians 2 verses

Philippians 2 1 Meaning

Philippians 2:1 initiates Paul's powerful appeal to the Philippian believers for unity, humility, and selfless love, which culminates in the Christ Hymn. The verse is framed as a rhetorical "if" clause, not implying doubt, but rather building upon acknowledged realities of the Christian experience. Paul asserts four profound truths foundational to believers: the encouragement found in union with Christ, the comfort derived from divine love, the shared experience and partnership in the Holy Spirit, and the tender affection and compassion that should characterize their relationships. These spiritual blessings serve as compelling motivations for the unity and selflessness exhorted in the subsequent verses.

Philippians 2 1 Context

Philippians 2:1 directly follows Paul's strong exhortation in Philippians 1:27-30 for the believers to live a life worthy of the Gospel, standing firm "with one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith." Chapter 2 opens by building upon these foundational statements, setting forth the powerful motivations for unity, humility, and selflessness detailed in the verses that follow (2:2-4). Paul's appeal is rooted deeply in the shared spiritual realities experienced by all who are "in Christ." Historically and culturally, the Philippian church, situated in a Roman colony, would have been familiar with societal values of personal honor, ambition, and competition. Paul's appeal here, leading into the humility of Christ (Phil 2:5-11), directly contrasts these prevalent worldly norms by calling for a supernatural, Christ-like self-emptying love and unity. There were also hints of internal discord or potential for it within the church, seen in later mentions like Euodia and Syntyche (Phil 4:2-3). This verse, therefore, acts as a crucial preamble to the central theme of humility and oneness in the chapter.

Philippians 2 1 Word analysis

• So (οὖν, oun): A transitional particle, functioning as "therefore" or "consequently." It connects the appeals in this verse directly to Paul's prior encouragement for unity and steadfastness in Philippians 1:27-30, presenting these current pleas as logical outcomes or motivations from the shared Christian experience.
• if (εἰ, ei): Not indicating doubt, but rather a first-class conditional statement, which assumes the truth of the condition for the sake of argument. It’s a rhetorical device meaning "since" or "in view of the fact that," establishing widely acknowledged Christian realities as the basis for Paul's subsequent appeal.
• there is any encouragement (παράκλησις, paraklēsis): Refers to a wide range of meanings including comfort, exhortation, appeal, or consolation. Here, it signifies the comprehensive comfort and strengthening derived from Christ, which also serves as a strong motivation to others. It is deeply spiritual support and prompting.
• in Christ (ἐν Χριστῷ, en Christō): Denotes a spiritual sphere or realm. This phrase signifies being united with Christ, having a deep personal relationship and spiritual indwelling with Him. It's the source and context of all true spiritual encouragement.
• any comfort (παραμύθιον, paramythion): Specifically refers to a soothing comfort, consolation, or gentle encouragement. While similar to paraklēsis, it emphasizes a more tender and soothing solace that eases sorrow or pain, distinct from general exhortation.
• from love (ἀγάπης, agapēs): The genitive case implies the source or character of the comfort. It's the divine, self-sacrificing love of God and Christ that comforts, and also the Spirit-wrought love that should exist among believers. This love is the deepest wellspring of solace.
• any participation (κοινωνία, koinōnia): Means fellowship, partnership, communion, or sharing. It speaks of a deep relational bond and shared experience among believers, enabled by the Holy Spirit. It’s active involvement and commonality.
• in the Spirit (πνεύματος, pneumatos): Refers to the Holy Spirit. This signifies that fellowship among believers is not merely human connection, but a profound spiritual bond empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit enables unity and communal life.
• any affection (σπλάγχνα, splagchna): Literally refers to "inward parts" or "bowels," used figuratively to describe deep-seated, visceral emotions like tender compassion, yearning, or tender mercies. It's a deep, gut-level feeling of empathy.
• and sympathy (οἰκτιρμοί, oiktirmoi): Signifies acts of compassion, pity, or mercy shown to others, often as a result of felt affection. It complements splagchna, referring to the expression or outflow of tender-heartedness.

• "So if there is...": This opening rhetorical conditional phrase establishes a powerful premise. Paul isn't questioning whether these things exist but asserting that because they undeniably do, they become the compelling basis for his appeal to action (unity, humility). It's a call to reflect on profound, existing spiritual blessings.
• "encouragement in Christ... comfort from love": These two phrases often describe aspects of solace and motivation found within the divine-human relationship. The comfort from love (agape) emphasizes the profound, selfless nature of God's love as the source of true peace and consolation, deeply connected to Christ as the ultimate embodiment of that love.
• "participation in the Spirit... affection and sympathy": These phrases shift emphasis slightly to the experiential and relational dimensions within the community of believers. "Participation in the Spirit" highlights the common bond and shared life enabled by the Holy Spirit. This shared spiritual reality naturally leads to "affection and sympathy," which are the outward expressions of tender-heartedness and compassion, flowing from that common indwelling Spirit and uniting believers in genuine care for one another.
• The four clauses as cumulative bases: Each clause represents a distinct, yet interconnected, blessing and reality within the Christian life. They build upon each other: spiritual sustenance (encouragement), emotional solace (comfort), communal bond (fellowship), and active care for others (affection/sympathy). Together, they form an irresistible and comprehensive argument for why believers should pursue the unity and humility detailed in the subsequent verses.

Philippians 2 1 Bonus section

Paul's strategic use of the first-class conditional "if" (εἰ) demonstrates his pastoral approach: he does not command based on his apostolic authority here but rather appeals to their shared, undeniable spiritual reality. This appeal is more persuasive because it stems from their own confessed experience of God's grace. The progression from encouragement in Christ to comfort of love to participation in the Spirit and finally to affection and sympathy illustrates a move from personal spiritual blessing to corporate spiritual experience and outward expression. This comprehensive appeal underpins the necessity of setting aside personal ambition (as mentioned in Phil 2:3) for the sake of the Gospel and corporate unity. The language hints at the Triune God: Christ is the sphere of encouragement, divine Love (often connected with the Father) provides comfort, and the Holy Spirit enables participation, affection, and sympathy, guiding them to practical expressions of Christ-like humility.

Philippians 2 1 Commentary

Philippians 2:1 lays the spiritual foundation for Paul's appeal for unity and selfless action within the Philippian church. Rather than issuing a direct command, Paul constructs a powerful rhetorical appeal, presuming the truth of four fundamental Christian experiences. These are: the encouragement believers consistently find in their union with Christ, the deep comfort they receive from divine love (specifically God's agape), their shared partnership and communal bond forged by the Holy Spirit, and the natural overflow of tender affection and practical sympathy towards one another that stems from their spiritual life. Paul is essentially saying, "In light of these undeniable and profound blessings you collectively experience in Christ, through love, and by the Spirit, then act accordingly." The existence of these deep, inter-connected realities should inherently compel believers towards the Christ-like unity, humility, and consideration for others that he describes in the following verses. This verse isn't merely a list; it's a dynamic and compelling basis for transforming individual spiritual gifts into collective communal living.