There is a heresy arising from verse 5 because of a specific interpretation of this verse by Arius (256-336, from Alexandria in Egypt).

The context is that of Paul taking the "bishops" (leadership) to task.

• They are doing things they should not be doing.
• They are not doing things they should be doing.

Specifically, the following is happening.

• Personal "good opinion" or "empty opinion" is being used.
• Invalid or contentious "eristic logic" is being used.
• [political opinion example]

To insure that this is clear, Paul will return to these ideas again and again in parts of the rest of the letter.

At least, Paul says, Jesus Christ is preached - whether in truth or pretend.

The previous verse is as follows.
In reading the verses that follow (the poem) ask yourself how what is said might help having the "prudent" mind of Jesus Christ in yourself instead of trying to make some big theological points for others.

Arianism denied that Jesus was actually equal to God but rather, was born at a given point in time and therefore, was subordinate to God the Father.

The above verse does not say this, but Arius (256-336) interpreted it that way. Aristotle named this type of logical fallacy "begging the question" which means "assuming the conclusion" as in using "circular reasoning".

This heresy is still prevalent today, though many do not realize that it has a name and originated shortly after the time of Jesus.

More: Trinitarianism and Modalism

There are two primary heresies in almost any group that deviates from the Bible.

• 1. Deny the deity of Christ as God.
• 2. Establish a salvation by works doctrine.

Discuss: What is the effect of accepting either or both of these heresies?

Note: Adding traditions to the Bible that do not contradict the Bible has the effect of creating more rules to follow, but may blur the true goal of the Christian believer.

More: A difference of opinion of a heretical group heresy

Arius (256-336) was an early church leader whose ideas were decided to be a heresy. Since his writings were destroyed and what he believed reported by his enemies it is unclear what else he might have taught.

Aryan or Aria or Arya is a term used by a group of people in ancient times in the middle east and that are believed to have brought Hindu religious thought to India. The original word is related to "Iranian".

French racial theorist Arthur Gobineau (1816-1882) promoted the idea that the ancient Aryans, as a racial group, were superior to other groups. These ideas went through some German writers and were adopted by Adolf Hitler for his National Socialist, or Nazi, party.

Greek and most languages has more than one word for the English word "is". The Greek word used here has the idea of "existence".

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The English word "is" has a number of meanings. It depends on what the definition of "is" is. Bill Clinton's grand jury impeachment testimony, 1998.

More: Word and parsing ambiguity

In Greek philosophy, the idea of "being" had several competing meanings argued by various philosophers, theologians, etc.

• The "coming into being".
• The state of "being".

These Greek and Latin terms include "ousia", "substance", "hypostasis", etc.

Details are left as a future topic.

Here, a different word just meaning "existence" is used.

For some reason, Paul uses the words with or related to the Greek word for "form" often in Philippians. This ignores "metamorphosis".

The ancient Greek word "ἴσος" ≈ "like, similar, as" and is the source of the English prefix "iso".

• isomorphism
• isotope

The word "equal" here means that of "as" or "similar" or "equal".

An actual definition of "equal" or "equality", even in mathematics, is not particularly easy, and was a debated idea in Greek philosophy.

The ancient Greek word "σχῆμα" ≈ "form, shape, appearance" and is the source of the English word "schema" as in a "schematic" diagram.

The modern Greek word "σχήμα" (SKHEE-ma) ≈ "figure, shape".

Paul will use the Greek word for "humble" four times in four chapters in Philippians. This might indicate that some were not being "humble". Note how the KJV (King James Version) uses different words for the same Greek word.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. C.S. Lewis

More: C.S. Lewis

The English phrase "humble pie" comes from medieval "umble pie" as a meat pie of inferior food for lower-class people.
The word "umble" and "humble" are not related other than having a close spelling and sound.

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You cannot be "sinless" but you should "sin" less.

Where the "bishops" being humble as Jesus?

God created Adam to be a gardener but he wanted to be a king.

More: Paradise as a garden

In the garden after the resurrection, Mary mistook the King, Jesus, for a gardener.

More: A touchy situation in the garden

Saying: A man's home is his castle. Sir Edward Coke (1604).

Original: "the house of every one is to him as his Castle and Fortress as well for defense against injury and violence, as for his repose".

The Greek word "obedient" means, literally, "listen to" with the Greek implication of "hearing with understanding" with an implication of "doing" or putting that understanding into action.



Were the "bishops" being "obedient"?

This brings to mind the song "Trust and obey".

Jesus is our Lord (King) and Savior (Christ) but showed by example how to be a servant.
Discuss: How might these verses relate to the "bishop" issue?