Philippians – Selfish preachers versus dogs, unity versus conformity
04/12/22 09:45
Paul is not so much concerned about those believers in Rome who preach the gospel out of selfish ambition, in regard to his imprisonment. If they feel more free – this is my guess of the situation – to say what they want to say, without being corrected or criticized by a heavy weight apostle, so what. Such an attitude is not what Paul commends to the Philippians though, but rather the humility of Christ. What Paul is more concerned about are the ‘dogs’ who go about in Azia and may come to Philippi also to influence the community of believers with their pseudo-gospel. Maybe they will not deny Christ’s death and resurrection, but they will deny the consequences and implications this has for living a righteous life by faith and with the help of the Holy Spirit and replace it by Jewish law.
To counter the threat of these enemies of the cross Paul urges the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. Knowing the Lord Jesus is, in spite of the suffering that comes with it inevitably, worth so much more than this seemingly attractive law based worship of God. Paul does this by way of giving his testimony. Rejoicing in the Lord will not only protect them against outward threats, it will also help the Philippians to stand and work together, united in one mind, in spite of some disagreements. The enforcement of Jewish law will certainly result in a certain kind of unity, but not in the unity of the Spirit. Love will not be the driving force in the Church, but an insisting on conformity. This is why Paul starts his letter with saying that he prays for them that their love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. Euodia and Syntyche are both entreated ‘to agree in the Lord’ (4:2, italics mine).
There will always be some kind of conformism in groups of believers, maybe in the way they speak or dress. That is normal and we cannot help it. We can have our own subcultures, as long as we are aware of them and can put them into perspective. To insist on conformism is not only sectarian, but it pushes aside Christ’s all sufficient work of redemption and grace as well. Disagreement, ‘if anything you think otherwise’ (3:15) is not a threat to true spiritual unity when there is love and humility, the disposition of putting others first.
To counter the threat of these enemies of the cross Paul urges the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. Knowing the Lord Jesus is, in spite of the suffering that comes with it inevitably, worth so much more than this seemingly attractive law based worship of God. Paul does this by way of giving his testimony. Rejoicing in the Lord will not only protect them against outward threats, it will also help the Philippians to stand and work together, united in one mind, in spite of some disagreements. The enforcement of Jewish law will certainly result in a certain kind of unity, but not in the unity of the Spirit. Love will not be the driving force in the Church, but an insisting on conformity. This is why Paul starts his letter with saying that he prays for them that their love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. Euodia and Syntyche are both entreated ‘to agree in the Lord’ (4:2, italics mine).
There will always be some kind of conformism in groups of believers, maybe in the way they speak or dress. That is normal and we cannot help it. We can have our own subcultures, as long as we are aware of them and can put them into perspective. To insist on conformism is not only sectarian, but it pushes aside Christ’s all sufficient work of redemption and grace as well. Disagreement, ‘if anything you think otherwise’ (3:15) is not a threat to true spiritual unity when there is love and humility, the disposition of putting others first.
