If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Phil 2:1)

There are two observations we can make about these for “if” clauses in Philippians 2:1. First, this verse is artificially divided from the last verses of chapter 1 by the chapter and verse divisions themselves. The chapter and verse divisions are not inspired. They are not part of the original text. Here they should be ignored.  The second observation is the use of rhetorical arguments. These “ifs” even as literally translated clearly are not expressing doubt. They are being used to make a rhetorical statement. Greek students and scholars will recognize these as first class conditional statements which means for the rest of us, the statements are assumed to be true.

The New Living Translation handles this very nicely:

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?

Here we see the text rendered as four obviously rhetorical questions each of which has the answer of yes. 

Now let’s consider Philippians 2:1 in its context, let’s connect it to the thought at the end of chapter 1, and ignore the artificial chapter and verse divisions.  What is the thought of verses 27-30 of chapter 1? Paul is exhorting the Philippians to live “worthy of the gospel” which is defined in the context as living without fear of the opposition. The lesson here for us is to accept that suffering, adversity and opposition are marks of God’s favor not his wrath; nor, a sign of a lack of faith.

This is a disturbing truth. Why should we follow God if he is leading us into such difficult circumstances? Philippians 2:1 follows the stark truth of 1:27-30 with the comfort of the fellowship of believers. Not only should we recognize adversities in our own life as a blessing, we should not be condemning our brothers and sisters who suffer many afflictions. We should not say that a person is not healed due to “lack of faith”; or that a person remains in adverse circumstances because “they deserve it”. This is contrary to our role in fellowship with one another. The trials that each of us face as individuals should bring the larger Christian community around us in support.

It is important; at this point to go back further in Chapter 1, go back to the place where Paul writes about in verses 15-18: the preaching of Christ for ulterior motives. It may seem shocking but the people responsible for putting Paul in chains was not unbelievers, but believers who opposed him. Still more shocking was the response of some who were talking advantage of the situation to preach from a spirit of rivalry, trying to take advantage of Paul’s misfortune for their own gain “…supposing they can stir up trouble  for me…”

We should not be like the believers who were Paul’s enemies. They were making the most out of the suffering of other believers by condemning them for lack of faith. Paul was calling the Philippians to unity in adversity. As much as our part is, we, as believers, should not let brothers or sisters stand alone in their trials.