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Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi while imprisoned. Though facing hardship, he wrote with joy, gratitude, and encouragement because the Philippian church had faithfully partnered with him in the work of the Gospel.

Yet Paul knew that unity could be threatened by pride, personal preferences, self-interest, disagreements, and offense. He reminded the church that their relationship with one another should be built on what they already shared in Christ: His comfort, God’s love, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the mercy they had received.

Paul’s call to be “likeminded,” to have “the same love,” and to be “of one accord” was not a demand for everyone to be identical. It was a call for believers to be united in humility, love, purpose, and devotion to Christ. These verses also lead into Philippians 2:5–11, where Jesus is presented as the supreme example of selfless humility and obedient love.