Paul begins the chapter with a series of four conditional clauses which are true to fact. That is, while it is true that in Greek each clause begins with a term corresponding to “if” in English, these “if” clauses are equivalent in force with an affirmative statement. By rendering these clauses literally with “if,” one might get the impression that Paul makes this fourfold appeal with an element of doubt; that is contrary to what he means to say. A number of translations attempt to bring out the intended emphasis in the Greek clause structure. Thus Moffatt begins these clauses with “by all … by every”; Goodspeed “by whatever”; New American Bible “in the sense of.” Good News Translation renders these clauses by a series of positive statements, and these are then taken as the sure basis of his appeal in the following verses (cf. Rom. 2.17 ff.).
A literal translation of these conditional sentences almost inevitably destroys the personal character which is so much a feature of this letter. It may also make the meaning of the verse extremely obscure. It is therefore desirable to identify all the participants and specify their relationships. A comparison of various translations shows that this task is by no means easy. New English Bible and Jerusalem Bible identify “we” (Paul and his readers) as the principal participants (New English Bible “if then our common life in Christ…”; Jerusalem Bible “if our life in Christ…”; cf. Goodspeed “in our relation to Christ”). Phillips makes “you” (the Philippians) the principle participants and clearly identifies “Christ” as the source of “encouragement and love” (“now if you have known anything of Christ’s encouragement and of his reassuring love…”). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy goes a step further in consistently making “Christ” the primary agent and participant and “you” (the Philippians) the secondary participants (“if Christ … if his love … if his Spirit…”). The pattern in Good News Translation, in the order of primary and secondary participants, is: you-Christ, Christ-you, you-Spirit, and you-you (one another).
The first clause is literally “if there be therefore any encouragement in Christ” (cf. King James Version). The formula “in Christ” is rendered in various ways such as “our life in Christ” (Jerusalem Bible), “our common life in Christ” (New English Bible), “your faith in Christ” (Bible en français courant), and your life in Christ. The noun rendered “encouragement” by most translators can also mean “consolation” (King James Version), “comfort” (American Standard Version), or “exhortation” (the sense suggested by many commentators). But the context seems to favor the meaning of “helping,” “encouraging,” or “strengthening.” Good News Translation changes this noun into a verb, makes you strong (cf. New English Bible “stir the heart”).
In many languages it is difficult to translate literally your life in Christ. In the first place, a noun such as life must often be rendered as a verb meaning “to live.” But it may make no sense to speak of “living in Christ.” The concept of a supernatural being living within a human being (for example, “Christ living in us”) is not too difficult to understand, since this can be done by means of Christ’s Spirit; but for a person to “live in Christ” may seem utterly meaningless. The closest equivalent in some languages is “your living completely on behalf of Christ,” or “your living completely controlled by Christ.” It may be equally difficult to relate “your life in Christ” to the concept of “making you strong.” In some languages the closest equivalent may be “the fact that Christ commands all that you do in your living makes you strong,” “… causes you to be strong,” or “your living in such a way as to be controlled completely by Christ causes you to be strong.” One must avoid, however, a term such as “strong” which applies only to physical strength. In this type of context, one would wish to use such an expression as “causes you to be courageous,” or “causes you to stand firm.”
His love comforts you translates the second “if” clause in Greek, which means literally “if any comfort of love” (King James Version). It is not likely that “love” here refers to the apostle’s love for his friends at Philippi as has sometimes been suggested; rather it is Christ’s love. The work meaning “comfort” occurs only here in the New Testament. It can also mean “persuasion” (Jerusalem Bible), “consolation” (American Standard Version), and “incentive” (Revised Standard Version).
His love comforts you poses problems of translation in some receptor languages because “love” in them may occur only as a verb; therefore his love must be translated as “the fact that he loves you.” Sometimes one can say “the fact that Christ loves you comforts you.” In other languages one may use a passive expression, for example, “you are comforted because Christ loves you.” In some languages comforts is expressed negatively as “takes away your anxieties,” or “causes you not to worry any longer.”
Fellowship with the Spirit is literally “if any fellowship of the Spirit” (King James Version). Since the Spirit is without the article in Greek, it is sometimes taken to mean the spiritual gift of love, joy, peace, etc. (New American Bible “fellowship in spirit”; Bruce “spiritual fellowship”). But most modern translators and commentators take it to be a reference to the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor 13.13). The genitive construction “fellowship of the Spirit” should not be interpreted in the subjective sense of “fellowship made possible by the Spirit” (cf. Barclay), but in the objective sense of “participation in the Spirit” (Moffatt Revised Standard Version) or fellowship with the Spirit. Both Phillips and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy render specifically “his Spirit,” meaning Christ’s Spirit (cf. Rom 8.9b).
In some instances one may translate you have fellowship with the Spirit as “you share with Christ’s Spirit,” or “you have something in common with Christ’s Spirit.” In certain languages fellowship is expressed quite idiomatically, for example, “you and Christ’s Spirit talk together,” “you and Christ’s Spirit go hand in hand,” or “there is a oneness between you and Christ’s Spirit.”
The meaning of the last “if” clause in Greek is obscure (literally, “if any bowels and mercies” King James Version). The noun rendered “bowels” occurs also in 1.8, where it is translated heart by Good News Translation. It is regarded collectively as the seat of deep feelings, affections, and passions, and is translated “affection” (Goodspeed Revised Standard Version New English Bible), “tenderness” (Jerusalem Bible), “compassion” (New American Bible), “kindness” (Phillips). Good News Translation renders it in a verbal form, have kindness.
The noun rendered “mercies” in King James Version signifies the outward expression of deep feelings in compassionate yearnings and actions. It is usually rendered “sympathy” (Goodspeed Revised Standard Version Jerusalem Bible) or compassion (Good News Translation New English Bible). On the analogy of Col 3.12, where the two nouns appear together, it is sometimes suggested that they have to be taken together here, with the resultant meaning “affectionate sympathy” or “affectionate tenderness” (so Moffatt). Good News Translation makes clear that the feelings of kindness and compassion are for one another, that is, among the members of the Philippian church.
You have kindness … for one another is better expressed in some languages as “you are kind to one another,” or “you are good to one another.”
You have … compassion for one another may be expressed simply in some languages as “you feel for one another,” or “you share the same feeling with one another.” In some instances this expression of sympathy or compassion must be indicated more explicitly, for example, “you feel sorry for one another when anyone suffers.”
Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .