Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Philippians

Chapter 2 begins with a long, complicated sentence that uses the word “if” four times. In English, the word often expresses uncertainty. Read that way, it can sound like Paul lacks confidence in the Philippians and their ability to maintain their unity. But given what we know of his relationship to them, it’s probably better to read it as “since,” as in, “Since these things are true, do this.”