The Interests of Others

 Meditations on Philippians

May 21, 2021

The Interests of Others

Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)

Read: Philippians 2:1-4

Paul begins Chapter Two with a call for unity within the church. At first glance, his call for unity may seem over the top, way too unrealistic for the diversity of people who come together as the church: “agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). In the next passage, Paul will elaborate on how he believes his call is totally realistic, but in verse one he has laid the foundation for unity within the Body of Christ: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? (Philippians 2:1). This is another way to think of the fruit of the Spirit Paul described in Galatians 5:22-23. The writer of Hebrews captured this same thought when he wrote, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2a NIV). When we stay completely focused on Jesus, everything will fall into its proper place.

One of the issues facing Christianity in 21^st Century America is the notion that the Christian faith is something we can add on to our existing life, fitting it in where we can without too much inconvenience. Paul completely dispels that notion in verse four. Compare these two translations of Philippians 2:4. The first is from the New Living Translation, which I mostly love and often use, and which is consistent with most English translations. The second is from the New Revised Standard Version, which I think is one of the most accurate translations we have available today.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (NLT)

Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. (NRSV)

Can you see the issue? The NLT, and similar translations, encourages the reader to try and fit-in caring for others to their life as best they can. The NRSV is more consistent with Jesus’ teaching in his Sermon on the Mount: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33)

My Takeaway: There is an important dichotomy at work as we seek the life in Christ as our way of life. First, the claim Jesus has on his followers is total. We never want to lose sight of God’s goal for us, because God never, ever does: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NRSV). However, we are acutely aware we don’t measure up to this standard. Now comes the second point in the dichotomy: We press on because “God loves us unconditionally, just as we are; not as we should be. Because no one is as they should be.” (All is Grace by Brennan Manning)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.