Philippians 2:12-16

The responsibility of the believer 2:12-16

"The detailed attention just given to the Christ-hymn must not obscure the fact that Philippians 2:12-18 are part of a larger parenetic section-1:27-2:18. Exhortation is resumed again through the frequent use of the imperative mood, or through the use of participles with the force of the imperative." [Note: Hawthorne, p. 97.]

"God’s ’therefore’ (Philippians 2:9) is matched by the Christian’s therefore (Philippians 2:12), [footnote 1: The Greek words are different (Philippians 2:9, dio, ’therefore, wherefore’; Philippians 2:12, hoste, ’so then’), but the effect is the same.] and that, in a nutshell, is what this passage is about. Just as God assessed and then reacted to the worth of his Son’s life of obedience (Philippians 2:9-11), so the Christian must ponder the example of Christ and determine upon a worthy response (Philippians 2:12-18)." [Note: Motyer, p. 125.]