We pick up in Philippians chapter 2, focusing on our conduct among our own countrymen. Prior sections addressed our frame of mind in verses 1-4: since there is consolation in Christ, comfort, fellowship, affection, and compassion, we are to have the same frame of mind—loving other saints, unified in focus. This mirrors Christ’s frame of mind in verse 5: though in the form of God, He did not cling to equality with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant to fulfill God’s will. We must set aside our own reputation and credentials to serve one another.
In verses 12-13, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling—not to earn it, but to apply it—knowing God works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Grumbling involves secret muttering and complaining under the breath, seen in examples from John 7 and Acts 6. Disputing refers to negative reasonings that justify wrongdoing or manipulate outcomes, as in Romans 1 where people suppress truth about God through futile reasonings.
We are to be hospitable without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9), ministering spiritual gifts through love, the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12-13). This leads to becoming blameless (innocent, guiltless) and harmless (unmixed, without ulterior motives) as children of God—born ones (technia) from incorruptible seed—without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as luminaries (Philippians 2:15).
As born ones of God, we imitate Him by walking in love, purifying ourselves, and practicing righteousness. We have victory over habitual sin through the indwelling seed and reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6). The world may be indifferent, but we hold fast the word of life so Paul (and we) may rejoice in the day of Christ, having not run in vain. Godliness profits in this life and the next; agonize in the good fight of faith, looking for the blessed hope of Christ’s appearing.Philippians 2: Conduct, Humility & Shining as Lights
