If there is anything that serves for the preservation of a country, a nation, or a church, it is unity and love among the people. Where unity and love is lacking, we cannot expect anything else but ruin and desolation. Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself, shall not stand." The old saying is, "United we stand, divided we fall." A group with little power can still be strong when they are united, but conversely, a group with great power will be weak when they live in discord.

It is the same in the kingdom of God: The church can neither grow when its members cannot live together in unity and love. It is absolutely crucial for the extension of the church that there be unity within its walls. If not, it will be conquered and swallowed up by enemies. Wherever God's servants, sent out by King Jesus, go, they must ensure that the basic principle is the setting up and maintaining of unity. If that essential ingredient is missing, the work of the church will disintegrate, and the building will collapse. Don't forget, we are not dealing with the honor of man, but with the honor of God, and the affairs of Christ.

After Paul, under God's blessing, had planted the congregation of Philippi, it began to grow and flourish. To ensure that it would continue to be well with them, he wrote this letter, strongly recommending unity and love.

"That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."  Philippians 1:27

"Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Philippians 3:16

"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Philippians 3:17

"I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord." Philippians 4:2

Paul tries, especially in chapter 2, to make the Philippians more receptive for his admonitions, and he therefore first gives them a number of reasons for unity: "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy." Then follow his commandments, "That ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Be ye like-minded⤒🔗

Satan attempted to sow the seed of the tares in the field of the Lord. False prophets had risen who sought to introduce a spirit of confusion in the congregation. They wanted to have more influence, they did most of the talking, and tried to lord over the consciences of the people. In short, they wanted to conjoin Moses and Christ.

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil work­ers, beware of the concision (division). For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Philippians 3:2-3

These false teachers forced Jewish servitude and bondage upon the people. They were quarrelers, and set the people on each other and on Paul. The apostle beseeches them, "Be like-minded, don't let them divide your thoughts, don't give the impression that one part of you is of this opinion, and another part thinks differently again."

The word "like-minded" is often used in the Bible:

"Be of the same mind one toward an­other." Rom. 12:16

"That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God." Rom. 15:6

"Now the God of patience and conso­lation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Jesus Christ." Rom. 15:5

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

This word "like-minded" has a broad meaning: It includes "duty," and also the faculties of the soul, such as understanding, will, judgment and affections. It means harmony and unity among each other, a focusing on one subject. Paul wants them to have a feeling of unison in the love, pursuit, and belief of the same things.

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul." Acts 4:32

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Being united means to have only one thing in mind, to judge the same way, and to will, desire and seek the same. Paul pleads with them to work together, so that they together might prove all things, and learn to understand the mysteries of the gospel, with the result that they together, might embrace, believe and love them. They should be of the same opinion and understanding. He urges them to exercise unity in all the faculties of the soul, according to what they have learned of him. That is completely opposite to the unity that Satan works, or what the false prophets teach. No, this is a unity concerning the business of the Lord and His Word.

Unity means that there must be harmony and agreement in their midst, among themselves. They should not think that one is more important than another, or assume powers that they did not receive from the Lord. There should not be any lording among them, nor any attempt to be more than another. They may not force their opinion upon other people, or be dictators in the congregation. They ought to live and work together as brothers, and deal with each other as brothers. They should not have proud or contrary thoughts about their neighbors, but humble and like-minded thoughts about their fellow men.

Be one, all of you. Be one in your purposes, in the spending of your strength and your worthiness.

Have the same love←⤒🔗

Paul adds to the previous statement, "having the same love," because love is the fountainhead of unity. It is impossible to be of one mind when there is no love at the same time.

"Forbearing one another in love." Eph. 4:2

"And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfect­ness." Col. 3:14

What is the cause that the one feels himself superior above the other, and aims at lording in the church? It is self-love, egotism and selfishness! Not hav­ing the same love. If only the leaders in the church of the Lord would be more inclined to serve, rather than to rule and reign, there would be more unity. There must be love in the church.

"The same love" assumes two things:

To love the same object. You can see that in a family where many children love the same parents. That love is undivided, and not directed to different objects. It must be the same in the congregation. One half should not love Moses, and the other half Christ. It may not be as it was in Corinth, where the one was of Paul, the other of Cephas, and another again of Apollos. All the love in the congregation must meet in one object, one Christ, one gospel, one truth, one faith, and one hope. This is to have the same love.

Love each other with a mutual love. To love other people as one would like to be loved himself. To serve and minister unto others by the love of Christ. We should always be there when others need us, and to help each other with word and deed.

Be of one accord←⤒🔗

This means that they must act together as if they have one heart. Being of one accord belongs to love. It is the fruit of love. Where love is, all hearts melt together, and all seek the welfare of the other. Also included in this expression is to be united in sincere intentions, to aim at the same goal. Jesus prayed, "That they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:22).

Some commentators explain this command as unity in the doctrines of faith, to have the same belief in Christ and His teachings. To accept what they had heard of Paul and believe in the same doctrine. To love, as brothers, the same doctrine and also each other. To have one goal before their eyes, and to work together towards that goal. To glorify God and Christ, and to walk in the same way and use the same means.

There must be unity in doctrine, belief and confession. When everyone goes his own way, has his own goal, and uses his own means, there is no unity, and "the same love" is lacking. How happy is that church where these things are found! We must strive for that and prayerfully seek it.

"If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father, which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:19

The Lord speaks of two or three, but how much better would it be if the whole congregation would be in such a state, when they are together in unity to be taught of the Lord. There the Lord would command His blessing, even life forevermore.

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."  Ephesians 4:3-6

How far do we live away from that necessary love and unity! Should we not weep and be ashamed before the Lord? Did we not leave our first love? What are the traces and the footmarks that the church has left behind? How much discord, wrangling, quarrels, and contentions there are in the church! The spirit of autocratic domineering over others has torn the church apart, has extinguished its light, and broken the back of its power.

Where can we find that unity, that same love and that one accord? There is division and dissension on all sides, sometimes about minor things. Oh, were the fiery spirit of lording and dominating extinguished! Everyone wants to be the ruler, and places his opinion above that of others; one fol­lows this minister and another that minister. But in the meantime they forget the love of Christ and the love for Christ. Where is the returning of love? We do want to be loved of others, but we do not love others, and each walks in his own way. When things continue to go like this, the church will be ru­ined and go to pieces. Let us all bow under that one Word of God, before that one Savior, and worship Him alone. Be not many masters, but by love serve one another. Let no one corrupt your minds from the simplicity of the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:1-5

How pleasant, sweet, and loving is the language that Paul uses! It is as if he wants to draw them with cords of love, and to touch them where they are the most sensitive. He does not say, "I am your master, and I give you the order to be united, and if you don't do it, God's curse will strike you. I am de­claring unto you God's judgment!" Oh no, he is using humble words of supplication. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God" (Rom. 12:1).

This stirring up, this exhortation in love is powerful, and causes them to bow and to accept. Paul is an example for ministers and shepherds to lead gently and to draw with pleasant words, not to speak as dictators and to rule with a rod of iron, but to continue with one accord in prayer and supplication as fathers in Christ. Those words, however, must also be forceful and firm.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ←⤒🔗

The word "consolation" has two meanings: Comfort and exhortation. In 1 Timothy 4:13 and in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 it is translated by "exhortation," whereas in Romans 15:4 the word is rendered "comfort."

1.  Exhortation←↰⤒🔗

Paul says: "If there be…" It is not an assumption, as if he is in doubt; no, it is a confirmation: You Philippians have received and experienced that consolation, exhortation and comfort, and therefore do I expect you to be united. There is consolation in Christ in you, there is fellowship of the Spirit, and there are bowels and mercies. That is the moving power behind Paul's words, he appeals to them to appreciate what they have received. He is actually saying: "Look, these matters are there, and therefore be like-minded, have the same love, be of one accord, and be of one mind."

Another aspect of this expression is that there are mutual exhortations among the brethren. It is an essential and crucial thing in the church that brothers warn each other, and that ministers not only teach and exhort their fellow servants, but that they themselves desire to be admonished too. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of our­selves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much more, as ye see the day ap­proaching" (Heb. 10:24-25).

It is an exhortation, a consolation in Christ, in His Name and for His sake, and of all the things that are related to Christ. They admonish each other as members of one body, as partners and fellow workers of Christ, and they are together united with Christ, and in Him, united with each other. They are brothers of Him and of each other.

2.  Consolation←↰⤒🔗

It is as if Paul is saying: "You are no stranger of the consolation in Christ in your heart. There is also among you the mutual comfort of each other in difficulties and cares, and that is the consolation in Christ. He is the Foun­tain of all good, and he who is in Christ, is comforted, but he who misses Christ, has no consolation and cannot com­fort others either."

"If…" Paul knew what was going on in Philippi. He uses the word "if" to stir them up, so that they might search and examine their hearts, and draw their attention to unity and brotherly like-mindedness. Paul is careful. He says: "If there is division, discord, strife and the exercising of lordship among you, it would very well be possible, that you miss the consolation, and the exhortation of Christ because those things belong and go together. Where the one is, there the other must be also. If the one is missed, the other will be lacking too."

"If any exhortation and consolation in the Name of Christ has power in your heart, you must be one, and not have the pre-eminence over others. Strife and lording among you breaks the brotherhood and fellowship, and then the necessary admonitions come to an end."

"How is it possible that you exhort each other, when at the same time you are so far apart in your judgments, feelings and affections? How can you let the one rule and the other obey? How can there be exhortation and consolation among you, when there is also human lordship over others that is not in Christ? How can you comfort others in Christ, when you are tearing Christ's body apart? Setting yourself up as a ruler is against the will of Christ, because He is the only ruler in His Church."

"If the exhortations in Christ are neglected, quarrels and division will arise. If you want to be comforted, make an end to the dissensions and the lording, and instead, serve others, and follow the footsteps of the Great Master, who has said that He would be in the midst of them, as one who ministers."

If any comfort of love←⤒🔗

God's Word distinguishes between the love of God, the love of Christ, and the love of God's children to God and Christ. But there is also the brotherly love wherewith God's children love each other in Christ, and Paul knows that such a love exists. "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment, that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:9-10).

Paul uses this word to stir them up to brotherly unity, and says: "If you want to feel the comfort of love, you must be united, because when there are quarrels and strife and discord among you, the love of many shall wax cold, and all consolation will cease. Instead of the pleasant, sweet fruits of love, there will be the bitter fruits of envy, division and enmity. Do you want to keep the fires of love burning? Be united!"

If any fellowship of the Spirit←⤒🔗

If there be any spiritual fellowship in the gifts of grace, given by the Spirit, which works in all the members of Christ's mystical body, they all take part in those gifts through their Head. They are all members of the same body by the same Spirit, they all have the same Spirit, and that fellowship of the Spirit obliges them to unity. "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3).

Do you have God's Spirit, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of peace, the Spirit of meekness? Show it then in unity among each other!

If everyone wants to dictate what is to be believed, what is to be done, or what is to be left alone, the bitter fruits of dissension and division will be manifested, because the Spirit of God is not divided. Well, what do we see? People backbite and slander their fellow men instead of comforting them, and one tries to cast suspicion on another, so that he can maintain and build himself up on the downfall of another. That is certainly evidence enough that they do not have the fellowship of the Spirit. "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men?" (1 Cor. 3:3). "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" (1 Cor. 3:6-8).

As long as we are not united, we give evidence that we do not possess the fellowship of the Spirit. It is only when we all bear a common burden, that that burden is light. How agreeable is it when brothers bear a burden together, wrestle together for the same matter, and pray together for the coming of the kingdom. That Spirit leads, comforts and teaches in the same manner, and by the same power in the one person, as well as in the other.

If any bowels and mercies←⤒🔗

This is a word of great emphasis, for it means the innermost and tender­est movements of the soul. It is a daily and continual being moved with com­passion, it is being filled with pity and care for others. Not in a superficial way, but with heart and soul. Paul speaks in chapter 1 about the bowels of Jesus Christ, indicating the deepest and tenderest love to His children. If you love each other thus with all your heart, and when you seek nothing but the well-being of the church and each other, you cannot but be united.

Fulfill my joy←⤒🔗

Paul had said in Philippians 1:25, "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."

In these words he demands and expects an equal recompense from them, so that they, by their conduct would increase his joy. Paul is joyful, but he would love to see that joy increased even more. He was glad about the furtherance of the gospel and the extension of the kingdom of Christ, he was glad that his labors had not been in vain in the Lord, but he was still far from perfect joy, for he still saw a cause for sorrow in the congregation. What could be done to make his joy perfect? By delivering him from prison? By providing him with more means for the nourishment of his body? No, by having unity in the congregation – then his sorrow would be taken away and his joy fulfilled.

The well-being and the unity in the church is the joy of its ministers too, for their joy cannot be perfect when that unity is lacking. It is the duty of the congregation and the office-bearers to promote that unity, for the church's welfare must weigh heavily on the hearts of all in the congregation.

There is work to do to fulfil that joy: show that you have a tender heart, and that you are not willing to quarrel. Out of love for the church, have compassion on your neighbor, instead of fighting him. Doesn't your heart go out to the bride of Christ? Make an end then to all that discord and strife, for else she will die, for the church goes to ruin by its internal dissension and quarrels.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory." Philippians 2:3a

Two great evils are mentioned here: strife and vainglory.

1.  Strife←↰⤒🔗

In order to make the congregation more capable to do what Paul is recommending them to do, he warns against strife and their own glory. He urges them to be humble and to deny themselves. They should not give in to those carnal passions.

• It is contrary to the well-being of the church: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16).
• It is the corruption of Christian society: "Let us walk … not in strife and envying" (Rom. 13:13). "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (Jam. 3:16).
• It is the destroying of the faith: "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44).

The literal meaning of strife is: "quarrel-sick," to be keen and intent to fight and quarrel. Some delight in fighting, they want to cause trouble, it is their sole purpose in life to differ from other people. It is impossible to please them, and it is with them as it was with Esau: "His hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him." They strive for strife's sake, they always must have something special, something different from the general feelings. They want to walk only in their own way, and then they force that way upon other people too. They even dare to shove the truth to the side, and slander and defame the name of others in order to maintain their own name.

How is it possible that there will be unity when there are contentions and striving for human glory? Such is impossible, of course: In that place will be only confusion, for everyone speaks his own language. Strife is the mother of discord. In place of wrangling and bitterness, everyone wants to be in the right, and be more than another. It is better to search together than to strive together.

2.  Vainglory←↰⤒🔗

It means a desire, an at­tempt to gain vain honor, "Let us not be desirous of vainglory" (Gal. 5:26).

Vainglory is nothing else than to be seen, and to be honored and praised of men. It is the seeking of other people's favor, and to have an important place and name among them. Paul speaks of vainglory, which has no value before God and for ourselves. It is nothing but a disgrace and a dishonor before the Lord. Vainglorious people are people who do good with an out­ward appearance, only to be seen of men. It goes straight against God's honor and brotherly love. "Charity suf­fereth long, and is kind: charity envieth not: charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up" (1 Cor. 13:4).

Vainglory is not becoming in ministers or other office-bearers. They must only be honored for the work that they do, and those that labor in Word and doctrine are worthy of double honor. Oh, might this lesson be learned in the Church of Christ! Do you remember how Jesus' disciples disputed to­gether, who among them should be the greatest? How much damage these things do to the church! Are we mourn­ing for the sad condition of the church? Let us show that we have learned differently, and let us stay away from strife and vainglory. There is no better counsel to be given than to walk ac­cording to the Word of God. We are not of this world, and therefore should seek the honor of God and He will honor us.

Evil must be left alone, but that is only half of the matter, for the good must be done also.

"In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."  Philippians 2:3b

Love true lowliness and meekness by esteeming each other.

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Eph. 4:1-2). "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another" (Rom. 12:10).

We should be very careful in the treatment of others. In other words, we must be ready to help and support others, as if they are superior to us. Jesus said: "Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister." Meekness is not taught in any other school but in the school of Jesus Christ. The literal meaning of the word is: to have low feelings of oneself, to think little of oneself, to be close to the ground.

We must not talk lowly, but be lowly. We must esteem ourselves as being nothing, and the Lord everything, and we must need Him in all we do and trust His Word alone. God's people have learned to know themselves and they have experienced how condemnable they are in themselves. They know all too well that everything that they possess has been received of the Lord. This frame and this feeling is especially fitting for the bishops in the church.

Esteeming another person better than ourselves is the acceptance that that person is more excellent, greater, and better than we are. We must be small in our own eyes, but the neighbor must be great. You see, that is the fruit of lowliness of mind. Those who think little of themselves have great thoughts of the Lord and of others. The fruit of this lowliness and meekness is unity and it binds together.

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:4

The original meaning of this expression is: to view everything with an observing and watchful eye, just as a marksman keeps his eye on the target. Let nobody view and keep an eye on what is most advantageous for himself, but always be on the lookout for what is the most advantageous for another. "Don't be selfish" is a hard lesson for our flesh; they are unpleasant words for an egotistic person, and these words are easier said than done. Paul not only condemns something: "Look not every man on his own things," but he also recommends something: "Every man look on the things of others."

"Look." It means to watch something intently, with great interest, to keep the eye trained on something. That is not the way we must look at ourselves. We may be thankful for the gifts and talents that the Lord has given to us, but we may not exalt ourselves, or be prevented from looking at others. Another aspect of this expression is: It certainly does not mean that we should mind someone else's business!

"Every man." Nobody excepted; it is a duty for all Christians. We actually should not be surprised that there is so much strife: let everyone look at himself.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 2:5

Paul says: "Don't think that I am asking you to do something unreasonable, for I do not demand of you more than Jesus has done." Literally: let the same affections and intentions be in you, as were in Christ. Let your conduct be the same as Jesus' conduct. Paul sets Christ before them as the great exam­ple of lowliness and meekness. Promote other people's benefits as Jesus has done; because as Christians, it behooves you to follow the example of Christ. Advance and further the wellbeing and salvation of others in the denying of yourself. Christ has emptied Himself. He took upon Him the form of a servant. Be then followers of Christ!