TLDR: This passage is always included as the Epistle reading for Palm Sunday, but most preachers choose the passion narrative for their sermons. Read on for a few reflections on this important passage.

 Philippians 2:5-11 is one of the best-known hymns or songs about Christ in the early church. The hymn preceded the Apostle Paul, but he uses it to preach on Church unity to a church he calls his “joy and crown.” The themes expressed in the hymn are important because this congregation was located in an important city in northeastern Greece, thought to be the seat of the Roman Empire in the region of Macedonia, near the modern-day city of Kavala. This blog will explore the importance of the city, the need for the letter, and a brief description of the passage’s theology.

Philippi was founded by the Macedonian King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, in 356. It was an important city, but it became more of a symbol of power and strength for the Rome in 42 BCE when it became the site where the forces of Mark Anthony and Octavian defeated Julius Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius. When Octavian became Caesar in 27 BCE, the city developed as a “small Rome” settled primarily by military officers who were veterans of the civil war. They created a highly hierarchical system modelled after Rome. The city had a Roman-style forum at its center, complete with a prominent temple to the imperial family.

The city was also the home of the famous Via Egnatia, Rome’s primary highway to the east, facilitating the movement of troops and commerce throughout the empire. The citizens of Philippi were citizens of Rome, a right not given to all colonies. Military veterans were assigned land in accordance with rank and merit and they owned the land, food supply, and wealth. On the other hand, the majority of the population were peasants, artisans, slaves, and those unable to work. They all depended on the patronage and charity of the ruling class to survive.

To the Philippian citizens the followers of Christ were a threat to their polytheistic practices. Paul and Silas had been arrested at the city for interfering with the business of a pagan temple as Acts 16:20-22 tells us. Ironically, or rather, providentially, the Gospel of Jesus took hold of the Philippians rather early and the church had grown since its founding. Notwithstanding their size and importance to Paul, this vibrant church was experiencing a great deal of stress and anxiety, which warrants Paul’s letter. This anxiety is coming from:

(1) Paul’s imprisonment.

(2) Epaphroditus’ illness.

(3) The Probability of not seeing Paul again.

(4) Opposition from unknown agitators.

(5) And some degree of disunity within the church.

At some point, the Church had sent one of their members, Epaphroditus, to take care of Paul in prison. This was customary in those days. The caregiver brings enough supplies and even money with which to bribe jailers to gain access to the prisoners. Once regular access is obtained, the caregiver visits the prisoner frequently to bring food and supplies, clean the cave, keep the prisoner some company, etc. There is a bit of argument among experts about which period of incarceration gave rise to Paul’s letter. Some believe this was during his house arrest in Rome, while others believe this was an earlier time of incarceration in Ephesus. Theologian N. T. Wright has compelling arguments to place this incarceration in Ephesus.

The Philippian church had been providing for Paul in his incarceration, but now Epaphroditus has fallen ill and Paul must send him back home to recover. He uses this opportunity to send the beloved church this letter. Paul starts his letter by addressing these issues of conflict: outside group, either of local people or the already known Judaizers who are preaching the necessity of Judaism for the early Christian churches. It is unclear who the real threat are.

He also addresses the disunity within the Church. He says, “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” This beloved Church, which is Paul’s pride and joy, seems to be somewhat divided, and power may be the problem: those who have it and those who want it. Paul encourages them to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” They are to remember the words of Jesus that anyone who wants to lead must be a servant first.

To illustrate this point, Paul uses the hymn we have today. “Christ Jesus, although he was God, emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. He was born in human likeness, yet he chose to be obedient to the Father to the point of death on a cross.” If God chooses to come to us in this much humility and love, then we, Christ’s own disciples, must show humility and mutual affection to each other and to the world.

The world outside of the Philippian Church is filled with strong armed men competing for power and position. Military veterans constantly subjugating and exploiting the vast majority of the people to get more and more power, access to wealth, provisions, dominance, etc. The sad reality is that the Church has too often allowed the values of the secular world to infiltrate the life and ministry to which we are called by God. Philippi is not immune to this temptation, and now there are internal conflicts about power and control in the congregation.

But the Church must be an example to civil society. We must behave in accordance to a different ethic: Mutual affection and love. “Treat each other with great humility, considering others as better than yourselves.” We follow one who has been highly exalted by God and whose name is above every other name yet chose to come to us in great humility. At the name of Jesus every knee should bend and every tongue confess that he is Lord, but the disunity of the Church often drives seekers out and separates them from the Lord.

The work of the Church is to expand the reign of Christ and to bring all people to him.  Only in him can salvation be found. Bringing the world to Christ will be nearly impossible, however, if the world sees our jealousy, power struggles, inordinate love for earthly goods, a desire for wealth and status, partisanship, and division. If the world does not find a group of Christ servers who love each other and are working together for the common good, then the world will be repelled by the Church and its message. No newcomer wants to visit a divided Church.

As we celebrate the greatest act of humility in human history and see the Son of God die like a criminal on a cross, let us ask God to give us the gift of unity and mutual affection in his name. 

Blessings to all, Fr. Roman+