Many Christians are familiar with the phrase “being of one mind” or “being like-minded.” In many cases, this phrase is used to shut down difference, dissent, or disagreement, especially in defending an organisational position on doctrine. But often our understanding of Scripture evolves as we continue to learn, as God works with our minds, and as we study His Word. So, what does it mean for Christians to “be of one mind”?
Let’s examine a section of scripture on this subject in Philippians 2, and consider carefully what it is saying to us. For this blog, we’ll focus on the first five verses:
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:1-5, NKJV)
The first thing we need to look at is the very first word: “Therefore”! The word typically means ‘for this reason’ or ‘consequently,’ which means we’ll need to look at what Paul says before Philippians 2 to get better context. So, let’s go to Philippians 1:27. Here, Paul tells the Philippians, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”. This scripture is key because it brings out two important admonitions: having conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ and striving together.
Of course, dissent and disagreement on doctrine can be the result of a divisive attitude, which is certainly not conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ. Conduct worthy of the gospel includes types of conduct exemplified by Christ—a topic that could take up several blogs. (For some examples of that, read through the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 to save some space in this blog.) Note though: those character traits are extremely important to being of one mind! We’ll see more about this when we examine the context after Philippians 2:2.
Each of us has a responsibility to be peaceable in discussions with others no matter if we agree with them on a given topic or not.
In looking at the second idea in v.27, “striving together”, the Greek word for “striving” (synathleō) is only in Scripture one other place: Philippians 4:3. In that section, Paul says Euodia and Syntyche “labored” (synathleō) with him in the gospel. This word implies work! The implication is that to become of “one mind”. requires work for all of us! For, as we know, we are supposed to grow into Christ—in grace and knowledge. We must put on Christ (Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27).
This leads us into the context after verse two in chapter two. Paul is specific when he tells us who we’re supposed to mirror in our one mind: it’s Christ! “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ”! We follow Christ’s example: the things He taught and His actions! In order to fully understand Christ’s teachings, we must continually learn and be willing to learn. We don’t follow some man’s opinion on doctrine; one person doesn’t decide for the rest of us what we believe. Instead, all of us follow Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God in us.
Because there are still those who do create contention and division, we must be careful. Each of us has a responsibility to be peaceable in discussions with others no matter if we agree with them on a given topic or not. It is safe to say that none of us fully understands the living Word of God. We will only fully understand it when we become spirit.
As Paul says, we must strive together for the faith of the gospel. That is, we work together and in doing so we develop more of the mind of Christ! His is the only mind that truly matters to us in this world. In the Spirit of Christ, let us strive to keep the unity of the faith, as we all continue to grow in the mind that is in Christ Jesus!
By Stephen Russo
