Like Minded
All things in common, through unity
Psa.133:1-3 How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore. Rom 5:21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eph. 4:1-8 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
HUMILITY, FOLLOWING CHRIST'S EXAMPLE
Phil.2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Apparently some believers at Philippi were characterized by vain conceit and selfish ambition (Phil.2:3-4). They thought more highly of themselves than they ought to have and neglected their responsibility to serve others (cf. John 13:1-17). Humility (“lowliness of mind”) might be defined as a proper evaluation of oneself in the sight of God and others (2:3; cf. Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet. 3:8; 5:6).
2 Fulfil ye my joy—Paul had experienced joy because of the Philippians. He now asks that he might have this joy completed by seeing full unity and harmony among them. likeminded—lit., “that you think the same thing” (see 2:5). being of one accord—In Greek this is a noun meaning “co-souled ones” or “united souls.” of one mind—lit., “thinking one thing.” If their thinking was focused on Christ, they would be united in thought.
3 The KJV supplies the words Let nothing be done, but it could just as well read, “Let nothing be thought.” Not only our actions but our thoughts need to be guarded from selfishness. God takes our attitudes as well as our actions into account.
lowliness of mind—actually, “humility.” Humility is the realization that we are creatures who are totally dependent on God, the Creator.
If we are really humble before God, we are totally relying on God.
This affects our attitudes toward others, for as equally dependent creatures, we cannot take pride in accomplishments that put other men down (see Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12).
let each esteem other better than themselves—Instead of looking for good points in ourselves, we should look for the good in others.
4 This verse is better translated, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (RSV).
5 Let this mind be in you—Let this kind of thinking be in you, I.e., the kind of thinking that existed in Christ Jesus. We should follow Christ's example, rather than put ourselves first. He did not think too highly of his own status to take on our humanity (Phil.2:8) with its complement of suffering and humiliation (Rom. 15:3).
Encouragement for Living the Christian Life
Jer 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Dan 4:27 "'O King Nebuchadnezzar, please listen to me. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past by being merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.'
Isa 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help 8 "If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
2 Cor 9:9 As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
Prov 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Prov 11:24 It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.
25 The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Eccl 11:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Jude 1:21 Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
2 Cor 4:18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Earthly treasure should serve kingdom purposes and should never be one's master (Luke 16:1-13).
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Psa.133:1-3 How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore. Rom 5:21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eph. 4:1-8 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
HUMILITY, FOLLOWING CHRIST'S EXAMPLE
Phil.2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Apparently some believers at Philippi were characterized by vain conceit and selfish ambition (Phil.2:3-4). They thought more highly of themselves than they ought to have and neglected their responsibility to serve others (cf. John 13:1-17). Humility (“lowliness of mind”) might be defined as a proper evaluation of oneself in the sight of God and others (2:3; cf. Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet. 3:8; 5:6).
2 Fulfil ye my joy—Paul had experienced joy because of the Philippians. He now asks that he might have this joy completed by seeing full unity and harmony among them. likeminded—lit., “that you think the same thing” (see 2:5). being of one accord—In Greek this is a noun meaning “co-souled ones” or “united souls.” of one mind—lit., “thinking one thing.” If their thinking was focused on Christ, they would be united in thought.
3 The KJV supplies the words Let nothing be done, but it could just as well read, “Let nothing be thought.” Not only our actions but our thoughts need to be guarded from selfishness. God takes our attitudes as well as our actions into account.
lowliness of mind—actually, “humility.” Humility is the realization that we are creatures who are totally dependent on God, the Creator.
If we are really humble before God, we are totally relying on God.
This affects our attitudes toward others, for as equally dependent creatures, we cannot take pride in accomplishments that put other men down (see Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12).
let each esteem other better than themselves—Instead of looking for good points in ourselves, we should look for the good in others.
4 This verse is better translated, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (RSV).
5 Let this mind be in you—Let this kind of thinking be in you, I.e., the kind of thinking that existed in Christ Jesus. We should follow Christ's example, rather than put ourselves first. He did not think too highly of his own status to take on our humanity (Phil.2:8) with its complement of suffering and humiliation (Rom. 15:3).
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Encouragement for Living the Christian Life
Jer 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Dan 4:27 "'O King Nebuchadnezzar, please listen to me. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past by being merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.'
Isa 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help 8 "If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
2 Cor 9:9 As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
Prov 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Prov 11:24 It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.
25 The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Eccl 11:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:31-35
Jude 1:21 Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
2 Cor 4:18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Earthly treasure should serve kingdom purposes and should never be one's master (Luke 16:1-13).
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
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