Paul desired that the assembly be of one mind and one accord. If love were perfected among themselves it would lead to his and their happiness.
Christ, in His humbling Himself upon His coming down among men, is an example for the saints. He went down to the lowest place. He humbled Himself as man, having emptied Himself as God. Being obedient unto death, God has exalted Him to the highest place; He has a Name above every other name. All in heaven, earth, and the infernal regions must bow before Him and confess Him as Lord before God and the Father.
The apostle speaks of the humiliation of Christ as a pattern for the saints at Philippi, also the obedience of Christ in contrast to Adam.
Paul says, "My beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Here we have heavenly light amid moral darkness—"among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
They were to do all things without murmuring and disputing. The pilgrim pathway here is fraught with danger, so every kind of exhortation was in order.
The saints' walk would give proof that the apostle had not run in vain. He would pour out his life as a sacrifice (he was beheaded by Nero) upon the sacrifice and service of the Philippians. They would rejoice together that God used them for the furtherance of the gospel.
Timothy, companion in labor with the apostle, was one who truly cared how the saints got along. He had served as a son with a father, traveling with the Apostle Paul in his journeys. Now Paul hoped to send him to Philippi in order that Paul might know the state of the assembly. Paul hoped to be set free and visit them shortly.
Epaphroditus had been the means of carrying funds to the apostle from Philippi, but in doing so, he became gravely ill. He recovered and was sorry that they had heard that he had been sick; such was his love for them. Brotherly love which acts before men is the fruit among men of divine love and displays itself in grace.
The apostle and the saints at Philippi were much cheered by the recovery of Epaphroditus. In the letter to the Philippians, God reveals His compassions rather than His counsels of love, as in Ephesians. The affections of all, Paul, Epaphroditus, Timothy, and all of the saints, form one chain of love in this letter. This is Christian experience and life.