Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Like-minded




Philippians 2:2 “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

I read a little commentary on this Bible verse that broke-down and explain its Greek origin, meaning and context for application today. It stated that this emphatic command, along with the parallel terms, helps us understand the concept of “thinking” the same thing.

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

Such thinking also includes “having the same love.” There are two aspects of this love. First, the term itself (agape) would demand that all of Christ’s disciples “love one another.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

This is often repeated to born-again believers so that our love for each other is so obvious.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Godly love then produces “being of one accord.” This phrase is the translation of Greek word “sumpsuchos”, which is a compound of the preposition most often translated “with” and the word for “soul.” Thus, the agape love that we are to share results in a connection “with-soul” that binds the “like-mindedness” in agreement with the mind and spirit of the Creator God.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

The commentary points out that we are finally commanded to be of “one mind”—slightly different from the “likeminded” opening charge. The initial words are auto phroneô — “his thinking.” The last use is en phroneô—one (way of) thinking. The entire context of the opening verses of Philippians 2 is to think like Jesus Christ thinks. “Set your affection [phroneô] on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). This kind of “thinking” must have God’s love and soul embedded in the very core of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Blessed in Christ

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