Philippians 2 2

Philippians 2:2 kjv

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 nkjv

fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 niv

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 esv

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 nlt

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Philippians 2 verses

Philippians 2 2 Meaning

Philippians 2:2 is a fervent appeal from the Apostle Paul, asking the Philippian believers to complete his joy by manifesting deep, spiritual unity. This unity is multifaceted, encompassing a shared disposition or mindset (likemindedness), a common commitment to Christ-like love, and a unified internal spirit and external purpose. It's a call for the practical demonstration of Christian fellowship, arising from the gospel and embodying humility, rather than simply an external agreement.

Philippians 2 2 Context

Philippians 2:2 directly follows a profound opening in verse 1, which lays the theological groundwork for Paul's appeal. Paul lists the powerful motivations available to believers: encouragement in Christ, comfort from divine love, participation in the Holy Spirit, and shared affection and sympathy. Based on these profound spiritual realities and privileges, Paul issues his plea for unity. The verse is nestled within a larger section (2:1-4) where Paul exhorts the Philippians to embrace humility and selfless service, which then transitions into the supreme example of Christ's humility, self-emptying, and exaltation (the "Christ-hymn" of 2:5-11). The unity called for in verse 2 is the essential practical expression of the Christ-like attitude and is vital for the spiritual health and witness of the church.

Historically, Philippi was a Roman colony with a strong sense of Roman identity and privilege. This cultural backdrop often encouraged social distinctions and individual status-seeking. Within the church, there may have been a tendency towards self-centeredness or minor disagreements (as hinted by the specific mention of Euodias and Syntyche in Phil 4:2), threatening the unity of the community. Paul, writing from prison, yearned for their unwavering unity and spiritual maturity, understanding that internal division could undermine their witness and strength amidst external pressures and persecutions. His call to unity in spirit and purpose directly addresses any such tendencies, reinforcing the communal and selfless nature of Christian faith against the backdrop of a status-conscious society.

Philippians 2 2 Word analysis

• make my joy complete (πληρώσατέ μου τὴν χαράν, plērōsaté mou tēn charan)

  • make complete (πληρώσατέ, plērōsaté): From plēroō, meaning to fill up, fulfill, bring to an end, complete. It suggests not merely adding to, but bringing something already present to its desired fullness or consummation. Paul's joy in them was real, but their unity would bring it to a perfect, overflowing state.
  • my joy (μου τὴν χαράν, mou tēn charan): Refers to Paul's deep spiritual joy, a common theme in Philippians (Phil 1:4, 2:17-18, 3:1, 4:1, 4:10). His joy was intricately tied to their spiritual growth, health, and unity, not to personal circumstances.

• by being like-minded (ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε, hina to auto phronēte)

  • like-minded (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε, to auto phronēte): Phronēte (from phroneō) denotes not just thinking the same thoughts intellectually, but having the same disposition, attitude, mindset, or values. It implies a unity of purpose, perspective, and moral inclination. This isn't coerced uniformity but a shared spiritual outlook informed by Christ.

• having the same love (τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην ἔχοντες, tēn autēn agapēn echontes)

  • the same love (τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην, tēn autēn agapēn): Agapē is God's unconditional, self-sacrificial love, modeled by Christ (Phil 2:5-8). "The same" here refers to the quality and character of love, specifically Christ's love flowing through them and uniting them. It signifies their mutual affection and benevolent concern for one another.

• being one in spirit (σύμψυχοι, sympsychoi)

  • one in spirit (σύμψυχοι, sympsychoi): A compound word, syn (together with) + psychē (soul, life, spirit). It literally means "like-souled" or "having the same soul." It speaks of an intimate inner spiritual unity, shared affection, and deep empathy; a oneness in mind and passion.

• and purpose (τὸ ἓν φρονοῦντες, to hen phronountes)

  • one in purpose (τὸ ἓν φρονοῦντες, to hen phronountes): A repetition of the root phroneō but now with hen (one). This phrase reinforces and intensifies the idea of "likemindedness," specifically emphasizing a unified will, a shared common goal, and a singular direction in their lives and ministry together. It moves from shared inner disposition to shared outer action and objective.

Words-group Analysis

• "make my joy complete by being like-minded": Paul's joy is not selfish but pastoral; it is realized when the believers embody the spiritual qualities he champions. Their spiritual health and unity are directly linked to his deep satisfaction as an apostle.
• "having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose": This tripartite description provides a comprehensive vision of Christian unity. It spans their affections (same love), their innermost being and passion (one in spirit), and their collective goals and direction (one in purpose). Together, these aspects form a complete picture of the organic, gospel-centered unity Paul desires for them. This unity isn't just external conformity but deep, internal, and spiritual alignment that finds its source in Christ.

Philippians 2 2 Bonus section

The intense repetition of concepts like "the same mind," "the same love," "one in spirit," and "one in purpose" underscores the critical importance Paul placed on internal unity. This isn't merely stylistic redundancy; it's an emphatic articulation of his most earnest desire, showcasing how multi-faceted and deeply ingrained this unity needs to be within the believers' lives. For Paul, the Philippian church's unity was not just a means to an end; it was an essential aspect of their corporate identity as the body of Christ, reflecting Christ's own character and anticipating His glorious return. The verse can also be understood as Paul, from his suffering, seeing their thriving unity as a divine blessing that offsets his own trials.

Philippians 2 2 Commentary

Philippians 2:2 is a profound pastoral appeal that underscores the absolute necessity of unity within the Christian community. It's not a superficial call for mere agreement, but an aspiration for deep spiritual and volitional alignment among believers. Paul's personal joy is made "complete" by their demonstration of this unity, signaling that the spiritual state of his flock profoundly affected his well-being as a spiritual father.

The core of this unity lies in three interrelated facets: likemindedness, same love, and unity in spirit and purpose. "Likemindedness" (phroneō) speaks to a shared Christian worldview, a common attitude and disposition towards God and one another, rooted in the gospel and not swayed by worldly concerns or personal ambitions. This shared mindset must then be animated by "the same love" (agapē)—the selfless, Christ-like love that prioritizes the welfare of others above self. This divine love is the ultimate glue of the community. Finally, "being one in spirit and purpose" amplifies this unity. "One in spirit" (sympsychoi) highlights an intimate, soulful connection and empathy, a deep bond of shared inner life. "One in purpose" (reiterating phroneō) directs this internal unity outwards, emphasizing a collective focus on their shared mission in Christ, aligning their wills and actions for God's glory and the advancement of the gospel.

This call for unity is presented as the antidote to potential divisions that could arise from self-interest, pride, or cultural differences, forces that Paul would later implicitly address through the example of Christ's humility (2:5-8) and specific admonitions (e.g., Euodias and Syntyche in chapter 4). True unity flows from shared experience in Christ (as described in 2:1), manifesting as mutual esteem and service (2:3-4). This kind of unity makes the church a powerful witness in the world and fulfills the shepherd's heart of an apostle like Paul. Practically, this might involve listening more than speaking in disagreements, actively seeking common ground through prayer, serving alongside others despite minor differences, or prioritizing communal spiritual growth over individual preferences.