Philippians 2:5-11·~1 min

The Mind of Christ

Paul says that the Philippians are to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, who, though truly existing in the form of God, did not grasp at his equality but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant and being born in human likeness. Found in human form, he humbled himself all the way to obedient death on a cross.

L⁵et this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, existing in the form of God, ⁷but emptied Himself, ⁸And being found in appearance as a man,

Because of this, God highly exalted Christ and gave him the name above every name, so that every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth should bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All of this is to the glory of God the Father.

⁹Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

Section summaryPaul tells the church to have the mind of Christ Jesus, who did not cling to equality with God but emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Role in the chapterThis central section gives the theological heart of the chapter. It presents Christ's descent and exaltation as both the church's model and the revelation of God's way.