In Philippians 1:26 Paul had told them that he wanted to come to see them – but then he launched into his central concern for them, which is that whether he can come see them or not, “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27) or that you would hold “fast to the word of life” (2:16). And all of this because you are to have the same mind – which is the mind of Christ.
And the mind of Christ is an attitude, or disposition, of humility and sacrificial service.
As we are starting our officer training class on Sunday evenings, I cannot imagine a better passage to consider! Because if the church of Jesus Christ is to have this one mind, then there is no better way to get there, but by having servant leaders who share this same mind!
And indeed, this is Paul's point in verses 19-30. Paul starts with an exhortation to the church – be of one mind (1:27-2:4) because that who Christ is (and you have been united to him) (2:5-11) then he returns to his exhortation (2:12-18) before concluding this section with two examples (2:19-30)
Or to say in another way, the center of Paul's exhortation is Christ's own humiliation and sacrificial service; and this mind is yours in Christ Jesus (because of your union with Christ) and so therefore you are to look like Jesus (as you imitate Christ)
And if you want to know what this looks like: look at Timothy and Epaphroditus!
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