Philippians 2
Philippians Chapter 2, Explained
Philippians 2 calls believers to a life of humble love, doing nothing from selfish ambition but valuing others above ourselves and looking to their interests. Then Paul grounds that call in the most beautiful description of Jesus in the New Testament.
Though Jesus was in very nature God, he did not cling to His status but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, becoming human, and humbling Himself even to death on a cross. Because of this, God has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the name above every name, so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Key verses from Philippians 2
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Philippians 2:5
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
Philippians 2:9
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”
Philippians 2:10
The main point
Philippians 2 is about the self humbling love of Christ and the call to let that same mind shape us.
How Philippians 2 points to Jesus
This chapter is a portrait of Jesus' downward journey into humility and His exaltation as Lord of all. The one who emptied Himself and went to the cross is now the name above every name, and He is our pattern.
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Read Philippians 2 with its meaning · The book of Philippians: summary · All chapter guides