The Book of Philippians Pt 12 Consolation in Christ; Fellowship from the Holy Spirit

In this post we begin chapter two of the book of Philippians. This is considered to be the most personal letter written by the apostle Paul to a church in Asia Minor. We should recall that this is a "prison epistle" meaning that Paul was in Roman custody while awaiting his trial. He spoke of being in "bonds" four times, but he also spoke about rejoicing while in bonds, seventeen times. 

Paul was guided by the Spirit of God to use many unique phrases throughout his letter to the church at Philippi and we have been noting these during our study. Paul emphasized our need to be spiritually disciplined and faithful in running the faith race, all the way to the end of our lives.

Consolation, Comfort, Fellowship, Joy & Love

Philippians 2:1-2  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) Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 

Paul begins the next chapter with the words "If there be therefore" which simply tells us that since all these things are true that he wrote about in Philippians one, then these realities  lead us to a particular point of emphasis. 

Paul proceeded to list four principles that connect to the spiritual realities he explained in the previous chapter. Three of the four truths from the Spirit guided pen of Paul are unique, and the fourth phrase is only mentioned three times in the Bible.

Consolation in Christ. 

What does this phrase actually mean? It is important to note that phrase is connected to Paul's previous exhortation to be of one mind and one spirit while striving together to make progress in spreading the gospel and in moving toward spiritual maturity. 

The context of his exhortation included opposition to the gospel, hostility from the world toward believers in Christ, and personal agony from running our faith race for the glory of God. 

The word "consolation" is found twenty nine times in the New Testament and is translated consolation, exhortation, encouragement or comfort, depending upon the context. It literally means to urgently call for someone to come near you, in order to help. 

Webster's 1828 dictionary states that the word consolation brings comfort to us by alleviating any misery or mental distress that we have. It also means to refresh our spirit by comforting us.

However, the unique aspect of the Greek word "paraklesis" is that it is always connected to the Word of God, not to people. It reminds us that all scripture is an exhortation for us to hear and heed what God is saying. Thus, all our hope and consolation is securely founded upon the Words, Works and Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

All of Jesus' teaching was with His words.  He used words to say what he was going to do, and then He performed it. He declared with words who He was, the Holy One of Israel, the Son of God, Jehovah in the flesh. 

Consolation from the scriptures

Romans 15:4-6  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The word "paraklesis" is translated "comfort" and "consolation" in this text. We find that all of scripture is full of great comfort for the believer because it tells us all about our hope and future glory. Paul tells us that in the scriptures we will find patience to endure life's troubles, comfort when we are feeling oppressed and hope for a bright future and eternal glory with Christ. 

Luke 2:25-26  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

Luke recorded a devout believer in God's word who was waiting to see Messiah before he died, for God promised this to him. At that moment Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus into the temple. Christ is called the "consolation" of Israel, in that He will one day rule and reign over all nations and God will fulfill all of His promises to the Jews. All of scripture is an encouragement to believe with repentant faith, on the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Comfort of love

Paul used another special phrase only found once in the Bible, the words "comfort of love." It is fascinating to see that the word translated "comfort" always places the emphasis of our comfort upon what God says in His word. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of the love of God for sinners. He went to the cross to die in our place as God's perfect Lamb. He took away the sins of the world and offers salvation to all who will believe. 

There is great comfort when we truly know that God loved us enough to slay His only begotten Son on the cross, to pay for our sins and to save us. 

There is great comfort for the believer, because that same love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit of God, when we fully trust Christ and are born again. 

Fellowship of the Spirit

This is one more of the unique phrases found in the book of Philippians. The word "fellowship" means sharing a common community, having a joint participation in the same mission, and enjoying intimate fellowship. It speaks about the blessings of Christian relationship and the bonds of friendship formed in Christ together with one another. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

This special and wonderful fellowship is connected to the Word and Person of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is the One who places each believer into the body of Christ. 

The word "baptized" refers to a definite past event that took place at the same moment the Spirit of God regenerated our heart and we were born again. The Spirit took people of different places, races, languages and cultural backgrounds and joined them all together in one body, the body of Christ. 

The words "made to drink" of the Spirit of God also refers to a definite past act that took place at the moment we heard the gospel and were born again. 

Living waters from the Spirit

John 7:37-39  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38)  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 

Jesus spoke about the future coming of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. He told the woman at the well about the living waters of the Holy Spirit. At the great feast Jesus stood up and offered living waters to all who would believe on Him. This was, as John notes, a direct reference to the Holy Ghost.  

1 Corinthians 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

He is the One who joins all individual believers together in one body. Notice the Spirit is called "God" in this text because He is the third member of the Godhead. 

He places all Christians into Christ's body according to His good pleasure. We should remember that fact the next time that we begin to complain about another believer who is not living like we think they should live. God placed that annoying believer into the body. I think remembering this truth would cause us all to get out of the way and allow God to change us. We do not need to be policing other Christians and trying to change them. That function belongs to the Spirit of God. 

He is the source of our fellowship and unity. Therefore, Paul's admonishment against grieving or quenching the Spirit take on added importance. 

Unity in the Spirit

Ephesians 4:3-6  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

The word "endeavoring" means that it will take effort on our part to maintain this unity of the Spirit. We enjoy peace in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ, when "unity" is carefully guarded and maintained. 

Unity is enjoyed only when we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, instruct us, guide us, lead us as we seek to walk with Him. 

"Put on" bowels and mercies

Paul used these words here and in Colossians three. The word "bowels" refers to our tender emotions of kindness, benevolence, and compassion. Mercy is God withholding His wrath and judgment upon us even though we fully deserve to be judged and condemned. 

How can God have mercy toward the believer? Because He poured out His wrath upon Jesus when He hung on the cross. The Father was satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus in our place. Now, when we have faith in Christ and are born again, the Father showers us with mercy that we do not deserve. It is based upon the merits of Christ's redeeming work!

Colossians 3:12-13  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Paul gave us a "put on" in this text and it is an imperative that we are commanded to do. He told believers (elect of God) to put on bowels of mercies and then he told us what it looks like. 

A believer who has such tender compassion from Christ, will be kind, humble, meek, and longsuffering. The believer will be forbearing with others which is the idea of not flying off the handle or exploding in anger when provoked. Rather, the believer will be forgiving toward others because of the full and complete forgiveness we have received from Christ Jesus. 

Consolation in Christ brings joy to us. 

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

We find yet another unique phrase used by Paul. "Fulfill ye my joy" means something that is filled to the brim and overflowing so that there is nothing lacking. 

The word "joy" is gladness received from others. Paul told the Philippians as they put into practice all of the glorious things that we noted in verse one of this chapter, they will fulfill his joy. 

Paul's heart would be warmed with love and compassion for them. He would be filled up and overflowing with gladness in his own spirit, because those beloved believers were making substantial spiritual progress. 

The word "likeminded" means allowing the Spirit of God to take the word of God and do a work in our hearts causing our mind and will to be brought into agreement with the Word and with other members of the body of Christ. 

Having the "same love" connects to the overwhelming love of God being shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Ghost. All believers share in this unique unconditional love because the Spirit of God indwells each one of us. 

The words "being of one accord" means that each believer's soul is knit together or bonded together in Christ. It refers to each one of us being part of a community of spiritual life and love. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We should expect that the universal or worldwide body of Christ will act with a unity of purpose and practice. What is clear in the church today is that this is not happening and we need a return to the fundamental, foundational truths and principles of our historical faith. 

Paul has described for us what the Spirit of God is endeavoring to do in our lives, individually and in the entire body of Christ. As individual born again believers, we should readily yield to Him and we must pray for Him to work these things into us individually, and throughout the body of Christ. 

I follow data from the Barna Research Group to see trends of the church in America. My observations below are based upon their findings and are clearly show believers are not fully embracing the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The church is missing out on spiritual blessings like all of the consolation that we have in Christ. We are missing out on the full comfort of God's love and the fullness of fellowship in the Spirit. 

Many believer's have not been drinking deeply from the well of living waters (the scriptures) and have not been immersed in the teaching ministry the Spirit of God has for us. Thus, the Spirit of God has not been able to glorify Christ and elevate Himself in our lives and in His church. 

Many do not really know what they believe and this thwarts spiritual growth and strong commitment to the mission that Christ left us here to do.  

Many believers have only superficial and shallow relationships with other believers. They are missing out on deep, abiding Christian friendships, between believers who are united in the same body of Christ by the Spirit of God. 

We are missing out on having one mind, being likeminded, and walking together in one accord as we seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

May the Spirit of the Living God come upon all individual believers and bring us into the blessed unity and fellowship that He wants for us.

Bob