thinking bible.

You asked

what social values in 1st century philippi made this teaching particularly challenging or resonant for them?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Philippians 2:1-4

If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind; doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter from prison to the believers in Philippi, a Roman colony known for its pride in Roman citizenship and its hierarchical social structures. He encourages them towards unity, humility, and service to one another, reflecting the example of Christ.

What does a community look like when individuals prioritize the well-being and interests of others above their own?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Romans 12:10

    Encourages mutual affection and honouring one another above yourselves.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Paul pleads for unity and for believers to be of the same mind and purpose.

  • Galatians 5:13

    Advises using freedom to serve one another through love, not for selfish purposes.

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