Paul In Prison Analysis

Paul, in prison, is writing to thank and encourage Christians in Philippi. They face their own trials and have their own problems. They, like many churches today, had some pretty disagreement and selfishness. Paul points them to a better approach to interpersonal relationships and gives them examples they can imitate. He is not just asking them to think like one another. He wants them to be likeminded with Christ – to be encouraging, comforting, sharing, and tender and have the same kind of love as Christ has, being like him in attitude and goals. That is the only sure way to be united with one another. Paul begins by reminding them of blessings they have been given by Christ: “If ye have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…” hHe assumes that they have enjoyed all of these –“then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being

Paul uses these words to remind us for an example to follow. Jesus willingly set his rights aside, in humility becoming a human, serving our needs. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” His humility, his desire to serve, was complete. He endured the most painful and most shameful form of death, just to serve our needs. Paul urges us to respond to Jesus’ humility and service by taking some actions. “Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”. Paul is asking them to take one more step, applying the humility of Christ to their interpersonal