CHAPTER 1
[still being translated]
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CHAPTER 2
1. If there is therefore any encouragement in the Messiah, if any consolation [that comes] from commitment [to one another], if any joint spiritual participation, if any heartfelt compassion,
Heartfelt: actually from a word for the “gut” or intestines, considered the seat of the tenderest affections, such as that of a mother for her child.
2. then make my gladness complete so that you are likeminded, having the same commitment to one another, united in your goals, being of one opinion.
3. [Do] nothing out of selfish partisanship or purposeless [desire for] preeminence, but with a modest attitude, considering one another better than oneself.
4. Each must look not to his own [interest]s, but also to each other’s.
5. Let this attitude be among you which [was] also in Messiah Yahshua,
6. who beginning in the image of Elohim, did not consider equality with Elohim something to be seized,
Beginning: coming forth or being on hand. Image: from a term meaning to have a share or portion in, but this uses the very same themes as in Genesis, when Adam, who was made in the image of Elohim, but lost it because he did grasp for (steal) or try to seize the offer of being "like Elohim". (Gen. 3:5) Yahshua, by contrast, rejected that temptation and instead humbled himself, and his reward was to be exalted (v. 9), because "pride goes before a fall" but "he who humbles himself will be exalted". The King James version says He “thought it not robbery to be equal with [Elohim]”, but emptied Himself and became a servant. Yet this term for “robbery” is really the equivalent of this Hebrew term for inheritance—prized booty, something to be grasped, seized, and held onto. Why did Paul even suggest that such a temptation would appeal to Yahshua? Because it was the sin of our most ancient forefathers. The serpent claimed that Adam and Chavvah, who were created in YHWH’s image, could become “like Elohim”. It was trying to seize this forbidden inheritance that put us all in exile from Eden. This was the same sin of setting one’s heart on the throne of Elohim that had gotten haSatan cast out of heaven, as seen in the typology of the Prince of Tzur (Y’hezq’el28:2-9) In Philippians 2, Yahshua is also described as being in the image of Elohim, and indeed he was the first instance since prior to Adam’s fall in which a man bore Elohim’s image unmarred. Yet are we to then say that Yahshua, who was sent to restore what Adam lost and undo his error (1 Cor. 15:45; Rom. 5:15-19), was guilty of the same crime that Adam and haSatan had committed—and praise him for it? This is the ultimate contradiction, yet it is the foundation for a cherished Church doctrine that says Yahshua was equal with the Father—though he himself said the Father was his superior! (Yochanan 14:28; compare 13:16; 15:20) If he was not genuinely tempted as we are (Heb. 4:15), then his successful overcoming would be a cruel joke that we could never attain to, though he tells us we must if we are to receive the fullest inheritance that is within our rights. (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:12, 21) He is the firstborn among many brothers (Rom. 8:29), the Son of Elohim who came to allow us to become sons of Elohim (Hoshea 1:10; 1 Yochanan 3:1-2). As the firstborn, He receives double the inheritance that His fellows receive (Gen. 48:22; Psalm 45:7; Heb. 1:9), but note that we are indeed to be his fellows when his task of restoring us to his Father and ours (Yochanan 20:17) is complete. Indeed, it was specifically because He accomplished this thathHe was given a higher position and more authority, as verse 9 says. (Compare also Yeshayahu 49:6; .Mat. 28:18) As such we are to do him the utmost homage, but not at the expense of the Father’s supremacy.
7. but he emptied himself,
taking the lot of a slave,
becoming comparable to men.
Emptied: or abased. Lot: form, role, portion.
8. And being found in schematic as human being,
he humbled himself
becoming obedient to the point of death—even the death of a crucifixion post.
Human being: the Greek equivalent of Adam, strengthening the evidence that this is an exact contrast with Adam and Chawwah’s response to the same temptation of the serpent that they could be “like Elohim”.
9. Therefore, Elohim also has highly exalted him and has given to him the name
above every [other] name,
10. in order that in the name of Yahshua every knee—[whether] of those celestial, terrestrial, or subterranean--should bend
11. and every tongue should acknowledge that Yahshua, the Anointed, is master, [resulting] in the pre-eminence of YHWH, the Father."
This exalted human Master or King is clearly distinguished from the Elohim on Whose behalf he serves. He is GIVEN "the name (authority) above every name" not for his own glory, but for the glory of the One he worships and serves. Yahshua constantly tried to direct our focus not toward himself, but toward the Father whose image he was endeavoring to portray to us.
CHAPTER 3
[still being translated]
CHAPTER 4
[still being translated]
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