| Phil. 2:1b |
|
Lesson # Phil. 2:1b Study Material - Phil. 2:1b You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Phil. 2:1b 1 If there be therefore [oun] any [ei tis] consolation [paraklesis] in [en] Christ [Christos], if any [ei tis] comfort [paramuthion] of love [agape], if any [ei tis] fellowship [koinonia] of the Spirit [pneuma], if any [ei tis] bowels [splagchnon] and [kai] mercies [oiktirmos], KJV-Interlinear 1 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, NASB If there is any consolation, 'paramuthion', neuter form of encouragement, to be consoled with reference to its object, love, 'agape', affections of concern and tolerance, benevolence, charity. This is an attitude which is not generated from within the source of the individual, but as a result of learning Bible doctrine. Note that Doctrine always comes first. Not ones attitude. Bible doctrine is not a result of morality, but proper morality is a result of Bible doctrine learned. The world is full of good and moral people who have rejected or simply ignore God. But inevitably their morals fall into some form of compromise. Their morals change with the politics of the time, or with the trends of the time. Morals without a foundation in doctrine can change on a whim and cannot be depended on in times of crisis, or even in times of prosperity. If you are to be ostracized, then people will justify their actions against you without a thought as to whether it is right or wrong. All they care about is that you are in the minority and they seem to be running the show for the moment. But in doctrine, there is security, hope, confidence. In doctrine the morals do not change either by necessity or convenience. Love is the attitude we take toward other people and situations in life. This is an impersonal love, not a personal love as in spouse to spouse, or even parent to child. Impersonal comes from the neuter reference in the word 'consolation'. Feelings and emotions are not involved. It means live and let live. Other people have their attitudes and their personalities. Sometimes they are obnoxious, sometimes they are simply weird. But you tolerate them all the same. People have a right to think the things they think, even if they are wrong. And of course as long as they are not violating the law, or violating your rights, you just let them float along in their little world. God presents doctrine to them along the way, and they will either respond to it or ignore it. But we need to learn Bible doctrine first, then from that learning, develop our stability of soul and tolerance of others. In this way we are not bothered by all the nonsense that exists out there in the world. Without doctrine in our souls, we would be getting upset all the time. Little things would constantly bother us, and our lives would be miserable. Therefore there is consolation in love, impersonal love. The mental stability we receive from our spiritual growth, that allows us to have a relaxed mental attitude in life. That allows us the resources to avoid getting upset at the slightest of problems, and even the big problems when they come along. Love in this way is the key to a calm and controlled life. But it does not come from our own resources, it comes from Bible doctrine only. So far we see the oneness that Paul is beginning to explain in these first few verses. One doctrine, which comes from one savior, one Son of God. God did not authorize many sources of His wisdom. His did not authorize may paths to heaven. Only one path and one source is authorized. Man who tries to engineer and invent alternatives to heaven, ends up in disaster. Whether it is the concept of prayer, or morality, or simply doing good deeds, there is only one method authorized by God, and that comes through Bible doctrine. Because doctrine is stable, and never changes throughout history, and will never change, it is the only source of encouragement, and consolation in life. Bible doctrine is not subject to the whims or policies of people. People cannot be depended on, but God is dependable.
End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. 
|
