21 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ , if there is any consolation of love , if there is any fellowship of the Spirit , if any affection and compassion , 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind , maintaining the same love , united in spirit , intent on one purpose . 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit , but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves ; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others . 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus , 6 who , although He existed in the form of God , did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped , 7 but emptied Himself , taking the form of a bond-servant , and being made in the likeness of men . 8 Being found in appearance as a man , He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death , even death on a cross .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philippians 2:1-8
Commentary on Philippians 2:1-4
(Read Philippians 2:1-4)
Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind.
Commentary on Philippians 2:5-11
(Read Philippians 2:5-11)
The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, John 5:23. Here we see such motives to self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we thus love and obey the Son of God?