Philippians 2:1-11
1: Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2: make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
3: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5: Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6: who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7: but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9: For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10: so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11: and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul urged the Philippians to find encouragement, consolation of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection, and compassion with one another in Christ. This would bring great joy to him to see them united that way–-of the same mind and purpose. The key to this seemed to be unselfishness--to humbly regard each other as more important than themselves. More important.
Paul said not for each one to just look out for himself, but to look out for each other as well. In fact, he gives Christ as the example in this. Jesus existed in the “form of God.” Being called equal with God was not “robbery.” It was not taking something that was not rightfully His. He was, and is, God (John 5:18). Yet, He didn’t choose to stay in that place or position, He came to earth and emptied Himself of all the glory.
Jesus came as a man—a bond-servant. He went from the form of God to the form of a servant. He remained God, yet with none of the glory. He made Himself subject to the Law, subject to His parents, working as a lowly carpenter. He humbled Himself in His life on earth, and in death. He humbled Himself to the point of death, a humiliating death—death on a cross.
For this reason, because of Jesus’ humility and obedience to empty Himself and use the power bestowed on Him as God to come as a man for our benefit. Because of this, God the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name. Paul quoted from Isaiah 45:23 which says, “To Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Paul said every knee will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Everyone will at one point bow to Him and acknowledge His lordship. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. This begins with the church, for when the church fully sees Him for who He is, bows at His name and confesses His lordship, being changed into His image, His return is near (1 John 3:2).
2: make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
3: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5: Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6: who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7: but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9: For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10: so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11: and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
***
Paul urged the Philippians to find encouragement, consolation of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection, and compassion with one another in Christ. This would bring great joy to him to see them united that way–-of the same mind and purpose. The key to this seemed to be unselfishness--to humbly regard each other as more important than themselves. More important.
Paul said not for each one to just look out for himself, but to look out for each other as well. In fact, he gives Christ as the example in this. Jesus existed in the “form of God.” Being called equal with God was not “robbery.” It was not taking something that was not rightfully His. He was, and is, God (John 5:18). Yet, He didn’t choose to stay in that place or position, He came to earth and emptied Himself of all the glory.
Jesus came as a man—a bond-servant. He went from the form of God to the form of a servant. He remained God, yet with none of the glory. He made Himself subject to the Law, subject to His parents, working as a lowly carpenter. He humbled Himself in His life on earth, and in death. He humbled Himself to the point of death, a humiliating death—death on a cross.
For this reason, because of Jesus’ humility and obedience to empty Himself and use the power bestowed on Him as God to come as a man for our benefit. Because of this, God the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name. Paul quoted from Isaiah 45:23 which says, “To Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Paul said every knee will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Everyone will at one point bow to Him and acknowledge His lordship. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. This begins with the church, for when the church fully sees Him for who He is, bows at His name and confesses His lordship, being changed into His image, His return is near (1 John 3:2).
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