In all these examples, people are called to give up their privileges for the sake of the gospel and the unity of the church. The willingness to sacrifice for the good of another is the essence of love in the New Testament. Paul uses Christ’s lowering and sacrifice as an example of the love the Philippians should strive to have among themselves (Phil. 2:2, 5–11). Giving up one’s legitimate rights to prevent another believer from stumbling is a way in which love “builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1–13).
