Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

$5.00

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

Jehovah’s Witnesses misunderstand Philippians 2:2, as they believe it supports the Governing Body (GB) of Jehovah’s Witnesses, telling them what to believe about the Bible. If they do not believe it, they will be ostracized, disfellowshipped (expelled), and no family member can talk to them. We will consider this as we carry out A phrase-by-phrase exegetical Commentary on Philippians 2:2.

Philippians 2:2 in the English Standard Version (ESV) reads: “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Let’s break down this verse phrase by phrase:

“Complete my joy”

This phrase begins the verse with Paul’s personal emotional investment in the unity of the Philippians. Paul is expressing a deep emotional desire that the Philippians would live in unity, as this would bring him great joy. It is important to note here that this appeal to unity is not a command but rather a heartfelt desire from Paul.
“By being of the same mind”

The phrase “being of the same mind” refers to the Philippians having a similar mindset or way of thinking. In context, Paul is urging the members of the church at Philippi to unity and harmony, promoting a communal perspective rather than divisive, individualistic mindsets.
“Having the same love”

This is an appeal for the Philippians to show the same love to one another as Christ has shown to them. This love is sacrificial, selfless, and compassionate. It is a love that seeks the best interest of others before one’s own.
“Being in full accord”

This term originally comes from a musical background, signifying different notes coming together to create harmony. In a community context, it denotes mutual understanding, agreement, and a shared purpose.
“And of one mind”

This phrase is similar to “being of the same mind,” emphasizing unity of purpose and perspective among the Philippians. It implies that the community should strive for a shared understanding, ideally based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In interpreting and applying this verse, it’s essential to consider the cultural and historical context, as well as the wider themes and messages of the epistle. Philippians 2:2 is an appeal to unity and love within the Christian community, but it is not a mandate for absolute uniformity of thought or unquestioned obedience to religious leaders. It certainly does not justify ostracism or punishment for those who have differing interpretations of scripture.

In terms of how this verse could be used by the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or any religious organization, the primary focus should be on fostering a community of love, unity, and mutual respect, not enforcing uniformity of belief. Any interpretation that leads to alienation or expulsion goes against the spirit of love and unity that Paul is encouraging in this passage.

Jehovah’s Witness Will Ask

How can the “body of Christ,” the collective group of believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, be “of one mind,” be “of the same mind” as to the teachings of Jesus Christ and not have uniformity of belief?

Christian Apologetic Response

The call for Christians to be “of one mind” or “the same mind” is not a call for absolute uniformity of belief in every aspect of doctrine and interpretation. It is, instead, a call for unity in the essential core beliefs that define Christianity.

In the New Testament, there are several key doctrines identified as the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith, which followers of Christ should be unified in believing. These include acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God (John 20:31), recognizing His death and resurrection as the means of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), and understanding that salvation is attained through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Being “of one mind” implies agreement on these foundational truths, but it does not necessitate unanimous agreement on all issues of interpretation, practice, or tradition. The New Testament itself demonstrates a degree of diversity within the early Christian community.

For example, in Romans 14, Paul discusses disagreements among believers about matters of conscience, such as dietary laws and observance of special days. His instruction is not that they should all conform to one view but rather that they should live in harmony despite these differences, respecting each other’s convictions and not causing another to stumble.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks about the diversity within the body of Christ, where different members have different roles and gifts, yet all are integral to the functioning of the whole. This indicates that diversity among Christians is not only expected but is also a part of God’s design for His church.

While there are certainly core beliefs that define the Christian faith, there is also room for diversity in understanding and practicing that faith. Unity in the body of Christ doesn’t mean uniformity in all aspects of belief and practice, but rather a shared commitment to the foundational truths of Christianity, a shared love for God and each other, and a shared mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To sum up, the call to be “of the same mind” in Philippians 2:2 is more about unity of purpose and love for one another than it is about uniformity of belief. This unity is grounded in the core truths of the gospel and is nurtured through mutual respect, understanding, and love. This unity does not erase the diversity within the body of Christ but instead makes that diversity a strength.

Jehovah’s Witness Will Ask

So, who is the determiner of what is to be included in the essential core beliefs that define Christianity in order to be of the same mind?

Christian Apologetic Response

In Christianity, the essential core beliefs are primarily derived from the teachings of the Bible. The New Testament, in particular, contains teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles that form the foundation of Christian doctrine.

Here are some of the widely accepted core beliefs in Christianity:

Belief in One God: Christians believe in one God who exists in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus Christ is the Son of God: Jesus is believed to be the Son of God who became incarnate, lived on earth, was crucified, died, and was resurrected (John 1:14, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Salvation through Jesus Christ: Christians believe that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and His work of atonement on the cross (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Resurrection of Christ and the Promise of Eternal Life: Christians believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life for believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22; John 11:25-26).
Authority of the Scriptures: Christians regard the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and it serves as the primary source of doctrine and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Second Coming: Christians believe that Jesus Christ will return at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead (Acts 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:1).

While these are the broadly accepted core beliefs, the interpretation and emphasis on these and other aspects of doctrine may vary among different Christian traditions and denominations. The determination of these core beliefs is based on a combination of biblical interpretation, theological tradition, and communal discernment within the body of believers.

It’s important to note that while there’s unity in these essential beliefs, there’s also room for diversity in other aspects of understanding, practicing, and living out the Christian faith. This diversity does not negate the unity of the body of Christ but rather reflects the richness and complexity of human understanding and experience of the divine truth.

Jehovah’s Witness Will Ask

Can you list all the essential core beliefs that define Christianity and explain them?

Christian Apologetic Response

The essential core beliefs of Christianity are typically summarized in historic creeds such as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. These creeds, based on teachings from the Bible, encompass the following core beliefs:

Monotheism: Christians affirm monotheism, the belief in one God. This is established in the Old Testament and reaffirmed in the New Testament. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4, ESV).
Trinity: Christianity uniquely teaches that the one God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This belief comes from various New Testament passages that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in ways that indicate their deity and personhood (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus Christ, Fully God and Fully Man: Christians believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. The Gospel of John opens with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14).
The Virgin Birth: Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and recounted in Matthew 1:18-25.
The Atoning Death of Jesus Christ: Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: The resurrection is central to Christian belief. Paul states, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Christians believe that Jesus was raised bodily from the dead.
Salvation by Grace through Faith: Christians believe that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Second Coming of Jesus: Christians anticipate the return of Jesus Christ, as He promised in the Gospels (John 14:3) and as is prophesied in Revelation.
The Authority of Scripture: Christians believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, serving as the ultimate authority for faith and life. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Final Judgment and Eternal Life: Christians affirm the reality of the final judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10) and the promise of eternal life for believers. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Remember, interpretations of these doctrines may vary among different Christian traditions and denominations, yet these are the core beliefs that largely define Christianity.

Jehovah’s Witness Will Ask

But is it not also true that in first-century Christianity, Paul did not determine for himself what was correct? Even though he was an inspired apostle, he went to the older men in Jerusalem (John, James, and Peter) to get an answer on circumcision. Is it not also true that the Christians in the first century had apostles to defend against false teachings? Is it not also true when the apostle John died in 100 CE that within 100 years, there were 20 varieties of Christianity; within 200 years, there were 80 varieties of Christianity, and today there are over 41,000 varieties of Christianity, all claiming to be true Christianity but all believing differently, even on the essential core beliefs? Is it not also true that the Baptist church, one denomination, has broken up into 66 varieties of Christianity? So, how is this evidence of being “of the same mind” or being “of one mind”? You even defeated your own argument by saying that being of the same mind is only applicable to the essential core beliefs, and then you backpedal by saying, “It’s important to note that while there’s unity in these essential beliefs, there’s also room for diversity in other aspects of understanding.”

Christian Apologetic Response

You raise several valid points about the complexities and challenges of maintaining unity within the Christian faith, especially as it has expanded and diversified over the centuries.

It is indeed true that in the early years of Christianity, apostles such as Paul sought counsel from other apostles and church leaders on matters of doctrine and practice, such as the issue of circumcision for Gentile believers (Galatians 2:1-10). The book of Acts also recounts a council held in Jerusalem (Acts 15) to decide on this very issue, further demonstrating the collaborative nature of doctrinal decision-making within the early church.

It’s also true that the apostles served as guardians of the faith, countering false teachings and ensuring the preservation of the gospel message as it was handed down to them. After the apostolic era, however, Christianity indeed experienced a proliferation of interpretations and doctrines, resulting in a broad range of denominations and movements.

However, the fact that there is diversity within Christianity does not necessarily contradict the call to be “of the same mind” or “of one mind.” These phrases, as used by Paul in his letters, do not imply an absolute uniformity of belief in every detail. Rather, they emphasize unity in purpose, in love for one another, and in commitment to the core truths of the Christian faith.

The existence of a variety of denominations within Christianity, each with their own emphasis or understanding of certain aspects of faith, does not negate the shared commitment to the core truths of the Christian faith – the lordship and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation through faith, the authority of the Scriptures, and the anticipation of Christ’s return.

Moreover, the “room for diversity” in understanding that I mentioned earlier pertains to areas of doctrine and practice that are not explicitly prescribed in Scripture or that allow for different interpretations. For example, different modes of baptism or styles of worship. This does not mean compromising on the foundational truths of the faith.

The unity that Paul speaks of in Philippians 2:2 is not a uniformity that erases all differences but a unity of purpose and love that transcends differences. It’s about having the “same mind” of humility, selflessness, and sacrificial love that was demonstrated by Christ (Philippians 2:5-8).

In conclusion, while there is indeed a wide variety of interpretations and practices within Christianity, the call to be “of the same mind” or “of one mind” is still relevant and attainable in the shared commitment to the love of Christ and the core truths of the Christian faith.

Jehovah’s Witness Will Ask

You would agree that unity of core beliefs and allowing some diversity does not include accepting false teachings, which Jesus and New Testament authors warned us of and told us to avoid and never accept.

Christian Apologetic Response

Absolutely, false teachings are warned against throughout the New Testament and are not to be accepted within the body of believers. Unity and diversity within the Christian faith do not extend to heretical teachings or false doctrines that contradict the core truths of Christianity as established in Scripture.

Jesus warned His disciples, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15, ESV). False teachings were a serious concern in the early church and continue to be an issue today.

The apostle Paul also spoke out strongly against false teachings. In his letter to the Galatians, he wrote, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8, ESV). This underscores the severity of distorting the gospel message or teaching something that contradicts it.

Similarly, the apostle John urged believers to “test the spirits” to discern truth from falsehood: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, ESV).

Finally, in his pastoral letters, Paul advised Timothy to guard against false doctrine. He wrote, “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3-4, ESV).

In summary, while there is room for diversity of understanding in areas of the Christian faith that are not essential for salvation, acceptance of false teachings or heretical doctrines is expressly warned against in Scripture. Believers are called to guard the truth of the gospel, discern falsehood, and uphold the core truths of the Christian faith.