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understanding, the will, and the affections. The way the apostle beseeches Eurodias and
Syntyche to be of the "same mind" shows that something more than a mental process is
intended. Dr. Macknight renders 2: 2, 5 by, "that ye be alike disposed" and "wherefore
let this disposition be in you". J. N. D. in his translation suggests, "Let this mind be
found amongst you", while Rotherham puts it, "The same thing esteem in yourselves,
which also in Christ Jesus (ye esteem)". Perhaps these varied renderings, together with
the usages of the word throughout the epistle (which we give), may be sufficient to guide
the reader in his approach to this important theme.
Phroneo (to mind) in Philippians.
A | 1: 7. Think. (Huper).
B | 2: 2. Joy, same love, one mind.
C | 2: 5. Thus mind. (Touto).
\ The mark to follow.
3: 15. Thus minded. (Touto) /
C | 3: 15. Otherwise minded.
\ The mark to avoid.
3: 19. Mind earthly things.
/
B | 4: 1, 2. Joy, same mind.
A | 4: 10. Your "care". Ye were "careful". (Huper).
It will be seen that the central members are directly concerned with the mark. The
mind or disposition which the apostle enjoined was to be in line with the disposition of
Christ, who, though He was the image of the invisible God, though He was in the form of
God, "emptied Himself". Let us not lose the preciousness of this word "emptied
Himself" (made Himself of no reputation), for a glory attaches to it paralleled only by
that which is connected with His "fulness". While Ephesians and Colossians speak of the
glory of "His fulness", Philippians, with the prize in view, dwells upon His voluntary
"emptying". As a result of "this mind. . . . that was in Christ Jesus", God hath highly
exalted Him. "Wherefore", continues the argument, "work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling".
That salvation which is "not of works lest any man should boast" is nevertheless a
salvation that may be "worked out", but not worked for. What this working out may
mean, II Cor. 4: 17, 18 will explain:--
"For our light affliction which is but for moment WORKETH OUT for us a far more
exceeding aionian weight of glory, while we look (or mark) not the things which we see."
Eph. 6: 13, supplies an atmosphere of conflict:--
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having WORKED OUT all, to stand."
The mark according to which the apostle pursued toward the prize, was "the mind that
was in Christ Jesus", given in chapter 2: in all the wonder of that humiliation and
exaltation, and in chapter 3: in the apostle's endeavour to follow His Lord. He, too, in
his degree had emptied himself, all that once he held as gain he counted loss for Christ,
and forgetting the things that were behind, he presses, according to a mark, for the prize.
"This mind" is very beautifully exhibited in chapter 1: 12-15, and is brought into direct