Paul advocated humility, namely concern for the needs of others, not just one's own needs, as the basis for unity in the church (cf. 1:22-26; 2:21).
". . . someone well said: Love begins when someone else's needs are more important than my own,' which is precisely what Paul will urge in the elaboration that follows."52
2:1 The apostle introduced his comments on submissiveness by giving his readers four incentives. He stated each one in a conditional clause that he introduced with the word "if."He assumed each one to be true for the sake of his argument (a first class condition in Greek). The translators have supplied the verb that Paul did not state. The NASB has "there is,"but the NIV gives a better sense of Paul's meaning with "you have."We could read each of the four clauses, "Since you have . . ."
The first reason Christians can and should be submissive to God and to one another is that Jesus Christ has exhorted (Gr. parakalesis) us to do so. His teachings while on the earth, as well as those that followed through His apostles after He returned to heaven, specifically Paul, encourage us to be humble. His personal example during His earthly ministry also encourages us similarly.
Second, Paul's love for the Philippians, which came as a comforting gift from God, should impel them to respond positively to his request also.
Third, the fellowship that the Holy Spirit creates should also make us submissive (cf. 2 Cor. 13:13; Eph. 4:3). It seems best to take this reference as including both our participation in the Spirit and the common life that He has created for us.53The former incentives also come from being in Christ and from love. Another option is just our participation in the Spirit.54
Fourth, the tenderness (affection) and compassion, or the affectionate sympathy, of God and Christ toward the Philippians would make unity normal and expected for this congregation.
2:2 Paul stated his exhortation to submissiveness in the first part of this verse and then elaborated on it. The apostle wanted his readers to be one in their attitude and purpose so they could fulfill God's purpose for them individually and as a church. To accomplish this they would need to be humble and submissive in these areas of their lives. The result would be that Paul's joy because of this congregation, which was already great, would become complete.
Four participial phrases elaborate on this exhortation. The first is that the readers should maintain love for one another. The second is that they should maintain unity in spirit and purpose.
2:3 Third, they should view other people as more important than themselves (cf. 1:17).
"This is the linchpin that guarantees the success of the Christian community."55
The popular idea that we should put ourselves first goes all the way back to the Fall. Unsaved people in Paul's day did not view humility as a virtue any more than most people today do.56Paul was not advocating an unrealistic view of life. He was not saying we should view everyone as better than ourselves in every way. His point was that we should view others as worthy of more consideration than we give ourselves (cf. Rom. 12:10).
2:4 Fourth, the readers should consider the interests and affairs of one another, not just their own. Verse 3 deals with how we view other people, and this one deals with how we relate to them. We have a duty to be responsible and to look out for the needs of our families (1 Tim. 5:8). However the believer's sphere of concern should be broader than this and should include the needs of the members of his or her extended Christian family as well. In a larger sphere this attitude should also encompass unbelievers.
"One must also be careful not to push this clause beyond Paul's own intent, which is not concerned with whether one ever looks out for oneself'--the also' in the final line assumes that one will do that under any circumstances--but with the basic orientation of one's life . . ."57
