---
title: "Philippians 2 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible"
description: "Read Philippians 2 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy,"
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/philippians/2"
---

[ Read](/kjv/philippians/2)[ Commentary](/study/philippians/2)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/philippians/2) Audio

 1 If *there be* therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, *being* of one accord, of one mind.

 3 *Let* nothing *be done* through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of *things* in heaven, and *things* in earth, and *things* under the earth;

 11 And *that* every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ *is* Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of *his* good pleasure.

 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
 
[Philippians 1](/study/philippians/1) [Philippians 3](/study/philippians/3)

## Commentary

 To verse 1
 
**If there be therefore any consolation in Christ -**This, with what is said in the remainder of the verse, is designed as a motive for what he exhorts them to in [Philippians 2:2](/kjv/philippians/2/2) - that they would be of the same mind, and would thus fulfill his joy. To urge them to this, he appeals to the tender considerations which religion furnished - and begins by a reference to the consolation which there was in Christ. The meaning here may be this: “I am now persecuted and afflicted. In my trials it will give me the highest joy to learn that you act as becomes Christians. You also are persecuted and afflicted [Philippians 1:28-30](/kjv/philippians/1/28-30); and, in these circumstances, I entreat that the highest consolation may be sought; and by all that is tender and sacred in the Christian religion, I conjure you, so to live as not to dishonor the gospel. So live as to bring down the highest consolation which can be obtained - the consolation which Christ alone can impart We are not to suppose that Paul doubted whether there was any consolation in Christ but the form of expression here is one that is designed to urge upon them the duty of seeking the highest possible. The consolation in Christ is that which Christ furnishes or imparts. Paul regarded him as the source of all comfort, and earnestly prays that they might so live that he and they might avail themselves in the fullest sense of that unspeakable enjoyment. The idea is, that Christians ought at all times, and especially in affliction, so to act as to secure the highest possible happiness which their Saviour can impart to them. Such an object is worth their highest effort; and if God sees it needful, in order to that, that they should endure much affliction, still it is gain. Religious consolation is always worth all which it costs to secure it. 

**If any comfort of love -**If there be any comfort in the exercise of tender affection. That there is, no one can doubt. Our happiness is almost all centered in love. It is when we love a parent, a wife, a child, a sister, a neighbor, that we have the highest earthly enjoyment. It is in the love of God, of Christ, of Christians, of the souls of people, that the redeemed find their highest happiness. Hatred is a passion full of misery; love an emotion full of joy. By this consideration, Paul appeals to them, and the motive here is drawn from all the joy which mutual love and sympathy are fitted to produce in the soul Paul would have that love exercised in the highest degree, and would have them enjoy all the happiness which its mutual exercise could furnish. 

**If any fellowship of the Spirit -**The word “fellowship - κοινωνία koinōnia - means that which is common to two or more; that of which they partake together; [Ephesians 3:9](/kjv/ephesians/3/9) note; [Philippians 1:5](/kjv/philippians/1/5) note. The idea here is, that among Christians there was a participation in the influences of the Holy Spirit; that they shared in some degree the feelings, views, and joys of the Sacred Spirit Himself; and that this was a privilege of the highest order. By this fact, Paul now exhorts them to unity, love, and zeal - so to live that they might partake in the highest degree of the consolations of this Spirit. 

**If any bowels and mercies -**If there is any affectionate bond by which you are united to me, and any regard for my sorrows, and any desire to fill up my joys, so live as to impart to me, your spiritual father and friend, the consolation which I seek.

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