The Meaning of Philippians 2:2 Explained

Philippians 2:2

KJV: Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

YLT: fulfil ye my joy, that ye may mind the same thing -- having the same love -- of one soul -- minding the one thing,

Darby: fulfil my joy, that ye may think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing;

ASV: make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Fulfil ye  my  joy,  that  ye be likeminded,  having  the same  love,  [being] of one accord,  of one  mind. 

What does Philippians 2:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul stated his exhortation to submissiveness in the first part of this verse and then elaborated on it. The apostle wanted his readers to be one in their attitude and purpose so they could fulfill God"s purpose for them individually and as a church. To accomplish this they would need to be humble and submissive in these areas of their lives. The result would be that Paul"s joy because of this congregation, which was already great, would become complete.
Four participial phrases elaborate on this exhortation. The first is that the readers should maintain love for one another. The second is that they should maintain unity in spirit and purpose.

Context Summary

Philippians 2:1-11 - Following His Example Of Self-Surrender
In all Scripture-indeed, in all literature-there is no passage which combines such extraordinary extremes as this. The Apostle opens the golden compasses of his faith, placing one jeweled point on the throne of divine glory and the other at the edge of the pit, where the Cross stood; and then he asks us to measure the vast descent of the Son of God as He came down to help us. Mark the seven steps: He was in the form of God, that is, as much God as He was afterward a servant; being in the form of God"¦ took the form of a servant. He was certainly the latter and equally so the former. He did not grasp at equality with God, for it was already His. He emptied Himself, that is, refused to avail Himself of the use of His divine attributes, that He might teach the meaning of absolute dependence on the Father. He obeyed as a servant the laws which had their source in Himself. He became man-a humble man, a dying man, a crucified man. He lay in the grave. But the meaning of His descent was that of His ascent, and to all His illustrious names is now added that of Jesus-Savior. This must be our model. This mind must be in us. In proportion as we become humbled and crucified, we, in our small measure, shall attain the power of blessing and saving men. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 2

1  Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12  to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16  and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God
19  He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also

Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:2

Fulfil [πληρωσατε]
Better here, “fill full.” Paul‘s cup of joy will be full if the Philippians will only keep on having unity of thought and feeling (το αυτο προνητε — to auto phronēte present active subjunctive, keep on thinking the same thing). [source]
Being of one accord [συνπσυχοι]
Late word here for the first time, from συν — sun and πσυχη — psuchē harmonious in soul, souls that beat together, in tune with Christ and with each other. Of one mind (το εν προνουντες — to hen phronountes). “Thinking the one thing.” Like clocks that strike at the same moment. Perfect intellectual telepathy. Identity of ideas and harmony of feelings. [source]
Of one mind [το εν προνουντες]
“Thinking the one thing.” Like clocks that strike at the same moment. Perfect intellectual telepathy. Identity of ideas and harmony of feelings. [source]
Fulfill [πληρώσατε]
Or complete. Compare John 3:29. [source]
Be like-minded [τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε]
Lit., think the same thing. The expression is a general one for concord, and is defined in the two following clauses: unity of affection, the same love; unity of sentiment, of one accord. The general expression is then repeated in a stronger form, thinking the one thing. A.V. and Rev., of one mind. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 2:2 mean?

fulfill my - joy so that the same you may be minded the same love having united in soul same thing minding
πληρώσατέ μου τὴν χαρὰν ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε τὴν αὐτὴν ἀγάπην ἔχοντες σύμψυχοι ἓν φρονοῦντες

πληρώσατέ  fulfill 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.
μου  my 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
χαρὰν  joy 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
αὐτὸ  same 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
φρονῆτε  you  may  be  minded 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: φρονέω  
Sense: to have understanding, be wise.
αὐτὴν  same 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἀγάπην  love 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
σύμψυχοι  united  in  soul 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: σύμψυχος  
Sense: of one mind, of one accord.
ἓν  same  thing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
φρονοῦντες  minding 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: φρονέω  
Sense: to have understanding, be wise.