Paragraph 2:1–4
Since Christ has shown the Philippians how much he loves them, they should love one other, agree with one another and be humble.
2:1–4 is one long sentence in the Greek. In your translation you may need to divide this into several shorter sentences.
2:1
There is no verb in 2:1 in the Greek text. Berean Standard Bible has supplied “have” in the first phrase, but you may need to supply a verb for each of the four parts of the verse. Paul used these four conditional or “if” clauses (or phrases) to make his appeal to the Philippians very strong. What he was asking them to do is in 2:2a: “make my joy complete.”
Paul used the Greek word ei in each of the four parts of 2:1. It literally means “if.” But in this context Paul was not expressing any doubt that these things were true. He was assuming that they were true. If your word for “if” is only used in a conditional sense, you will need to use another connecting word here, for example, “since.” See the first Meaning Line in the Display for 2:1a, 2:1b, 2:1c, and 2:1d.
These four phrases have a strong emotional effect, and Paul’s basic aim in writing them was to motivate the readers to follow his instructions in 2:2–4. Look for a way in your language to express the emotional appeal and the strong feeling that Paul showed here. Try not to lose the emotional force by making long sentences in an attempt to explain the exact meaning. One possibility is to use rhetorical questions. For example, in 2:1a:
Does being united to Christ encourage you? ⌊Of course it does!⌋
If you use rhetorical questions, you will need to use them in each part of this verse. See the second Meaning Line in the Display for 2:1a, 2:1b, 2:1c, and 2:1d.
Another way to translate 2:1 is to use short statements. For example:
1 You are united to Christ and this encourages you. Christ loves you and this gives you comfort. You have fellowship with the Spirit. And there is tenderness and compassion.
If you do this, you will need to begin 2:2 with a phrase to connect it with all these statements in 2:1. For example:
2 Since all these things are true, make my joy complete….
2:1a
Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Therefore indicates that what follows is the result of what preceded. Some English versions do not use a connector here. Use the expression that is most natural in your language.
if you have any encouragement in Christ: A literal translation of the Greek here is “If any encouragement in Christ…” But in many languages, a verb will be needed (as it is in English). The context implies you have (as the Berean Standard Bible uses) or “you receive” here.
encouragement: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as encouragement comes from a verb that means “to comfort, encourage, cheer up.” It is not possible to translate encouragement as a noun in every language. If you need to translate it with a verb, you could say:
if you are encouraged/comforted because you are united with Christ
-or-
if being united with Christ encourages/comforts you
-or-
if Christ has encouraged you by uniting you with himself
in Christ: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek phrase literally as in Christ. People who are joined with Christ because they trust him are in Christ. They belong to him, they let him have control of their lives.
2:1b
comfort from His love: In Greek, the noun love has no possessive pronoun (His). This means that commentators disagree about what love Paul was talking about here. There are four main possibilities:
(1) Christ’s love for the Philippians.
(2) Paul’s love for the Philippians.
(3) The Philippians’ love for Paul.
(4) The Philippians’ love for one another.
Many English versions do not make it clear what love is being referred to (for example, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible), but those which do make it clear, follow the first option—Christ’s love for the Philippians (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version). Since the exact meaning of the Greek is not clear, it may be preferable to leave it more general in your translation, if you can do so. However, if in your language you must provide a subject and an object for love, it is recommended that you also follow option (1). Believers do not have to worry even in difficult times because they know that Christ loves them.
2:1c
fellowship with the Spirit: The Greek is literally “fellowship of the spirit.” This may refer to
(1) the fellowship that believers have with the Spirit. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation)
(2) the fellowship that the Spirit helps believers to have with each other. (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
fellowship: The Greek word here is koinōnia, which means “sharing,” “participating,” “having a part in ⌊something⌋.” This Greek word has several related meanings. For example, it can refer to people sharing with one another or doing something with one another, or people joining together with others in some way. The sense in this verse has to do with participation in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells within and ministers to all believers.
the Spirit: Most commentators and versions agree that this refers to the Spirit of God. You may need to translate the phrase the Spirit as “the Holy Spirit” or “the Spirit of God” or “God’s Spirit” in order to make it clear to whom it is referring.
2:1d
affection and compassion: These two words can refer to two different feelings or to a way of expressing a single emotion. Most commentaries interpret the two words as two distinct but related ideas. The phrase affection and compassion has been understood as describing
(1) how Christ felt toward the Philippians (SSA, O’Brien);
(2) how the Philippians felt toward one another or toward Paul. (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)
If you need to translate affection and compassion as verbs, you will probably need to give a subject. Interpretation (1) is the most likely to be what Paul meant, and it is recommended that you follow it. Christ loved the Philippians and pitied them. He demonstrated this when he died on the cross to save them.
affection: This is the same word as was used in 1:8. The Greek word literally refers to the “insides of the body.” It means the “affections,” “the feelings of the heart,” “the center of a person’s emotions.” In this verse it means to be tender toward someone, to be kind and gentle to them.
compassion: The Greek word here means “pity, mercy, sympathy.”
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