Read Philippians 2:1-11.

Note: The phrase, “the name of Jesus,” as it occurs in verse ten is a reference to the name Jesus now possesses, rather than the name in view being the name “Jesus” itself. See the article on the "Name of Jesus" in Philippians 2:10.

Introduction⤒🔗

He was a successful Southern farmer, cultivating acres and acres of peanuts, yet he was not above spending time with the common folk down at the local café. He lived in a luxurious white house, with every conceivable comfort and convenience, yet he often took up a hammer to help build houses for the poor. He gained international headlines and T.V. coverage when he served as mediator between the warring nations of the Middle East, yet he was more than happy to serve as a Sunday School teacher at a little Baptist church in an obscure southern hamlet.

His name was Jimmy Carter. He held the office of President of the United States. In retirement, he continued to hold the distinguished honor reserved for former presidents; but more than that, he truly exhibits the mind of Christ. Jimmy Carter is a Christian who takes seriously the exhortation of Scripture: “Have within yourself the mind of Christ.”

As Christians, let us also take seriously this command of Scripture. Rather than entertaining and exhibiting the mind of the world, we must possess the mind of Christ. Because we by faith have entered into the life of Christ, we must exhibit the mind of Christ.

Have the Mind of Christ, which is the Attitude of Humility←⤒🔗

In verse five, we are exhorted to have in us the mind, (or, attitude), which was found in Christ Jesus. In the next three verses, we are presented with three great statements that explain for us and define for us exactly what is the mind of Christ: Christ refused to exploit His rights for personal benefit (vs. 6); Christ willingly assumed the role of a servant (vs. 7); and Christ denied Himself for the sake of His brethren (vs. 8).

In verse six, we learn that our Lord Jesus Christ refused to exploit His rights for personal benefit at the expense of His brethren. We are informed that He was “existing in the form of God.” The Greek word translated, “form” (µορφTl), was a philosophical term, not referring to the external appearance of a thing, (as we would be inclined to use the term), but to the essence, or better, the specific character, of the thing or person. The New Testament commentator, Jac. J. Muller, writes, “by form of God is meant...His divine nature, which is inseparable from His person and in which the Divine Being realizes Himself [i.e. knows and expresses Himself] in His...inherent, divine glory and godly attributes.”¹ The New Testament scholar, John Murray, concurs, “the form of God would refer to the sum of those characterizing qualities that mark God off as specifically God.”²

By way of illustration: used in this Greek philosophical sense of the term, the “form” of an apple is not merely the shape of the apple, it includes all those qualities that make an apple an apple and distinguish it from every other fruit and every other thing in all of creation. Thus, “the form of God” includes all those attributes and qualities and characteristics that make God what He is, and that distinguish Him from everyone and everything else. When the apostle informs us that our Lord Jesus Christ was “existing in the form of God,” he is telling us in the strongest possible terms that the Lord Jesus Christ possesses all the attributes and the very identity of God: all that defines God defines Christ Jesus. As the Lord Jesus Himself declared, “whoever has seen me, has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9).

The Lord Jesus is further defined as “being on an equality with God.” Whereas the previous term, (“the form of God”), refers to the reality and the fullness of His deity, this present term, (“being on an equality with God”), refers to the divine dignity and honor Jesus Christ possesses because of His absolute deity.³

We are forbidden to worship false gods and angelic beings; the Apostle John was prevented from bowing before the angelic being who was communicating to him the revelation of the things to come: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 'But he said to me, Do not do so! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God” (Rev. 22:8-9). But Jesus Christ, who is none other than God incarnate, is worthy of the same worship as God the Father: “Thomas responded by saying to him, My Lord and my God. ²⁹Jesus replied, Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, but [still] have believed” (Jn. 20:28-29). Without question or rebuke, Jesus receives from Thomas the divine worship that is His due. Note, too, Matthew 28:16-17, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷And when they saw him, they worshiped [him].”

Next, we are told that the Lord Jesus did not consider His being on an equality with God “a thing to be exploited,” or, as something to be used for His own benefit. The particular Greek phrase (αρrtαYμοs ηYεομαι) employed by Paul was used to describe a situation in which a person held a valuable privilege or possession, which he could exploit for his own personal gain or benefit.⁴ Our Lord Jesus, bearing the very identity of God and the equality with God, did not insist on exploiting His position and privilege and rights for His own personal benefit.

Whenever we demand our rights or privileges for our benefit, regardless of our brethren, we are not exhibiting the mind of Christ our Savior. Christ refused to exploit His rights for His own personal benefit at the expense of His brethren: He could have refused to endure the incarnation and the cross, but He willing accepted them. We are called to possess the mind of Christ and to exhibit His mind in our relationship with our brethren and neighbors.

In verse seven, we learn that our Lord Jesus Christ willingly assumed the role of a servant. Our Lord Jesus Christ “emptied himself.” The Greek term (κεVοω) translated, “emptied himself,” has the meaning of someone divesting, or depriving, himself of his privileges.⁵ Thus, in “emptying himself,” our Lord did not lay aside His absolute deity, which is His eternal identity. Throughout His earthly ministry our Lord continued to exhibit and exercise that divinity and authority. He taught with the authority of God. Jesus declared of His teaching, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35). We may compare these words of Jesus with what the Psalmist says about the word of the LORD: “Forever, O LORD, your word stands firm in the heavens” (Psl. 119:89). Even during His earthly ministry, Jesus claimed the title of God. On one occasion, He declared to the Jews, “I tell you the truth, Before Abraham was born, I AM” (Jn. 8:58). We may compare these words of Jesus with the LORD’s personal revelation of Himself made to Moses at the burning bush: “And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM; and he said, This is what you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you” (Ex. 3:14). Our Lord Jesus declared His unity and identity with God the Father when He informed His disciples, “he who has seen me, has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9).

The way in which our Lord Jesus emptied Himself was “by taking the form of a servant.” Just as “the form of God” includes all the attributes and qualities that define God precisely as God, so “the form of a servant” includes all the attributes and qualities that define a servant. Specifically what it meant for our Lord to take the form of a servant, (and so become the servant of the LORD), is explained by the following phrase of verse seven: “being made in the likeness of men,” (by means of His incarnation, He really and totally identified Himself with men). He became weary: “Jesus, being wearied by his journey, sat down by the well” (Jn. 4:6). He mourned: when He came to the tomb of His friend, Lazarus, we read, “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35). He died under the judgment of God: upon the cross, “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (which, being interpreted, means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?)” (Mk. 15:34)

Thus, the way in which our Lord “emptied Himself” was by depriving Himself of His divine privileges, the privileges that belong to Him by virtue of His identity as God, the eternal Son who is equal with the Father. We see an example of this at the time of our Lord’s arrest. When His disciples draw a sword in an attempt to defend Him, He declares, “Put your sword in its place... ⁵³...do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels? (Matt. 26:52-53)

In verse 7b, we learn that our Lord Jesus Christ, in His incarnate state, was found “as a man in appearance.” The Greek word (σχημα) translated, “appearance,” refers to the outward appearance of a person or object. On the basis of His outward appearance, men judged the Lord of glory to be merely a man. Note the comments of His neighbors as recorded in John 6:42, “And they said, Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, I have come down out of heaven?” Note, too, the Apostle Paul’s evaluation of Christ before Christ’s divine glory was revealed to him: “though we once regarded Christ [from a worldly point of view], we do so no longer” (2 Cor. 5:16).

In verse eight, Paul goes on to write, our Lord humbled Himself “by becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross.” Humility is defined here as accepting His Father’s will over against His own will. As He faced the prospect of the cross of Calvary, we hear our Lord pray to His heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). Our Lord so humbled Himself, accepting the Father’s will, for the sake of His brethren, despite the cost to Himself personally.

Let us have the mind of Christ, which is defined for us as the attitude of humility: the refusal to exploit our rights for our own personal benefit at the expense of our brethren; the willingness to assume the mind and the role of a servant; and the willingness to deny ourselves out of devotion to our God and Father for the sake of our brethren.

Have the Mind of Christ, and You Will Be Honored by God←⤒🔗

The exaltation and honor of the Lord Jesus is described as the reward bestowed upon Him by God the Father for His willingness to humble Himself and take the form of a servant: “Being found as a man in appearance, ⁸he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross. ⁹Wherefore, God exalted him to the highest position and bestowed upon him the name that is above every name” (vs. 7b-9)

We must contrast the final outcome of our Lord’s self-humiliation in obedience to His heavenly Father’s will with the final fate of the devil, executed against him because of his effort to exalt himself in defiance of God.

God “exalted [Christ] to the highest position.” The Greek word (υπερυψroω) means, “to super exalt,” “to lift up to the ultimate height of exaltation.” Note Psalm 110:1, where this very promise is made to the Messiah in His incarnate state and as the reward for carrying out His appointed role as the Servant of the LORD: “The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Again, according to Isaiah 52:13-15, supreme exaltation is the fulfillment of God’s promise to His servant:

See, my servant will be successful; he will become high and lifted up, he will be greatly exalted. ¹⁴Just as many were appalled at you, he was so disfigured that his appearance was unlike any other man, his form was unlike the sons of men, ¹⁵so shall he cause many nations to be shocked. Kings shall cover their mouths at [the sight of] him; for what was not reported to them, they themselves will see, and what was not explained to them they will understand.

In contrast to the exaltation bestowed upon Christ, the LORD God pronounces the most awful curse upon the devil, in consequence of the devil seeking to exalt himself to the position of supreme exaltation:

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who once laid low the nations! ¹³You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit enthroned upon the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain! ¹⁴I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High!' ¹⁵But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. Isa. 14:12-15

Let us carefully consider the words of our Lord Jesus: “what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Lk. 16:15b).

If we exhibit the mind of Christ, we shall be honored by God: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another; because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 'Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the appointed time” (1 Pet. 5:5-6).

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How does the Apostle Paul describe our Lord’s eternal existence prior to His incarnation? See Phil. 2:6a Note Jn. 14:9b. Why was it imperative that our Savior be fully divine? Who but God alone could endure the full measure of His divine and righteous wrath? Note Isa. 33:14b,

...Christ Jesus: 'existing in the form of God, he did not regard his being on an equality with God as a thing to be exploited... Phil. 2:5b-6

The Greek word translated, “form,” was a philosophical term, not referring to the external appearance of a thing, (as we would be inclined to use the term), but to the essence, or better, the specific character, of the thing or person. The N.T. scholar, John Murray, writes, “the form of God would refer to the sum of those characterizing qualities that mark God off as specifically God.”

Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied. ⁹Jesus replied, I have been with you for such a long time, and you still do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me, has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Jn. 14:8-9

Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burning? Isa. 33:14b

2. In His divine identity as God the Son, sharing in the very nature and substance of the Father, what status did our Lord enjoy? See Phil. 2:6b. Note Jn. 17:5. How did our Lord regard this divine status that was rightfully His? See Phil. 2:6c. When necessary, are you willing to relinquish your Christian rights and privileges in imitation of our Lord and for the sake of fellow believers or for the sake of the gospel?

...Christ Jesus: ⁶existing in the form of God, he did not regard his being on an equality with God as a thing to be exploited... Phil. 2:5b-6

As the Lord Jesus faced His departure from the earth, via the cross, He prayed,

And now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory I had with you before the world was [created].Jn. 17:5

3. What did He, the One who shares with God the Father in the divine glory, willingly do? See Phil. 2:7a. How did He “empty Himself,” or, deprive Himself, of His divine privilege? See Phil. 2:7b. Why was it imperative that our Savior be fully human? Note Heb. 10:4-5. Who but a sinless man could be an acceptable substitute for sinful men? Note 1 Tim. 2:5 and 1 Pet. 3:18a,

...Christ Jesus: ⁶existing in the form of God, he did not regard his being on an equality with God as a thing to be exploited; ⁷on the contrary, he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found as a man in appearance, ⁸he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross.Phil. 2:6-8

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. ⁵Therefore, when he came into the world, he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me.' Heb. 10:4-5

...(there is) on God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus... 1 Tim. 2:5

Christ indeed died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. 1 Pet. 3:18a

4. In His incarnate state, what position did our Lord willingly accept? See Phil. 2:7a; note Matt. 20:28. Can you begin to comprehend the wonder of the eternal Son of God willingly relinquishing His divine privilege in order to become the servant of the LORD, knowing that in that capacity He would be required to endure the cross? What does our Lord require of us as His redeemed people? See Gal. 5:13-14. How could we possibly refuse His command?

...he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found as a man in appearance, ⁸he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Phil. 2:7-8

...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matt. 20:28

You were called for freedom, brothers, only do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the sinful nature [to express itself]; but through love serve one another; ¹⁴for the whole law is fulfilled in one commandment, [namely], this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Gal. 5:13-14

5. As a fitting reward for His humble submission to the Father’s will, what honor did the Father bestow upon Jesus (i.e. the Son of God in His incarnate state)? See Phil. 2:9-11. What is the result of the Father bestowing this divine honor upon the Son in His incarnate state? See Phil. 2:11c. As we behold, and experience (cf. 1 Thess. 2:12b), the wonder of the Father’s self-sharing love, should we not give unto Him the glory? Note Psl. 29:2,

Wherefore, God exalted him to the highest position and bestowed upon him the name that is above every name; ¹⁰so that before the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11

...have a walk [i.e. a lifestyle] that is worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thess. 2:12

Give unto the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psl. 29:2