Re:Verse passage – Philippians 2:1-4 (day three)
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Paul’s training in the eternal kind of life came not from just any man, but from Jesus himself. That’s what Paul told the church in Galatia. Paul’s point was not bragging rights. As a Pharisee, he knew firsthand how people attempt to augment sacred revelation. It’s what happened with the law of Moses. Paul was not going to be an interpreter of Jesus’s teaching, but a conduit. He wasn’t going to expand, but remind. That determination is the purity present in Paul’s thought. To the Philippians, therefore, he echoes precisely the words of our Lord’s Golden Rule: Understand the unique needs of others, and do that for them. His words are a tell that he had been taught by Christ.
During our small group on Monday night, Dave was struck by the word “merely” in this passage. It indicates that we are supposed to look out for our own personal interests…but not MERELY our own. He was reminded of DeToqueville’s statement about “enlightened self-interest.” And I thought about Jesus’ commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” We have to realize how much God loves us before we’re any good at loving or looking after others!
Exactly!! The word merely touched my heart as well.
Another spot on blog, BR. You have such a gift with words and clarity of thought. It’s so appreciated.