IF, IF, IF, IF . . . THEN . . . - Paul gathers up within his conditional if’s many of the key themes that he has already covered early in his epistle-joy, fellowship, love, partnership, affection, unity, and attitude. The idea behind this gambit is an assumed answer: if there is any encouragement in Christ (and there is). This construct sets up the admonition that forms our lesson.

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR - In Paul’s thought and writing, life is a partnership. As Craddock says it, Paul regarded as inappropriate to the body of Christ the selfish eye, the pompous mind, the ear hungry for compliments and the mouth that spoke none, the heart that had little room for others, and the hand that served only the self. [1]

MARIUS VICTORINUS [FL 355] - Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others . . . We are truly acting for ourselves if we also have a concern for others and strive to be of benefit to them. For since we are all one body, we look out for ourselves when we look out for others. [2]

If you were to look for what some literary critics call "brokenness in the text" what would be the brokenness be in this lesson?

How is that brokenness also part of our own world?

How does this passage challenge society’s definition of success?

Who can you recall who truly puts the interests of others ahead of their own interests?

Please refer to several homilies based on this lesson in the DPS archives.

Entering this passage through the door of Advent you might begin with an example, an article you’ve read recently, or a popular song or movie that reflects the trouble of the text-the lack of humility. I would probably recall the recent movie "Bruce Almighty," or if among a literary group you might recall Uriah ("I’m so ‘Umble") Heep in Charles Dicken’s David Copperfield.

Note how Paul seeks to move his listeners toward a compassionate, more expansive vision of Christian life via humilty.

Recall examples of people who have walked into your life with humility that has honored God.

Move to Jesus Christ as God’s Exemplar for humility and as a way we can fully enter into the season of Christmas.

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[1] Fred Craddock, Interpretation Series: Philippians (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985), page 38.
[2] Ancient Commentary on Christian Scriptures VIII (InterVarsity, 1999), page 235.