The Mind of Christ

Draft, under review

Philippians 2:5–11

5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,

10that at 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.

Berean Standard Bible. Read the full chapter

Reflection

Paul wrote these lines to a church with friction in it. Two of Paul's co-workers, Euodia and Syntyche, could not agree (Phil 4:2–3), and some members were looking out only for themselves (Phil 2:3–4). Paul's answer is not a technique. It is a Person: let the same mindset be in you that was in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5).

Then he tells the story of the Son. He was in the form of God and did not treat equality with God as something to exploit (Phil 2:6). He emptied Himself, not by setting aside His deity (Col 2:9), but by adding a servant's form and a human life (Phil 2:7). He humbled Himself further, all the way to death, and not an ordinary death but a cross (Phil 2:8).

Then the story turns. God lifted Him to supreme honor and granted Him the name that outranks every other (Phil 2:9). Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord (Phil 2:10–11). Paul is quoting words that Isaiah said belonged to the Lord God alone (Isa 45:23). The servant on the cross is the Lord of all.

This changes how we hold our rights. If the One who had every right laid them down for us, we can lay down our need to win, to be noticed, and to have the last word. That isn't weakness. It is the way of the risen King, and the path He walked ends in glory.

Word study: verified (STEPBible)

kenoo (Greek, Strong's G2758): to empty (Phil 2:7). It is paired with tapeinoo (to humble, G5013) in Phil 2:8 and answered by hyperypsoo (to highly exalt, G5251) in Phil 2:9.

Cross-reference trail

  1. Isa 45:23: Every knee will bow to the Lord.
  2. John 13:3: Knowing who He was, Jesus washed feet.
  3. Mark 10:45: He came as a servant and gave His life as a ransom.
  4. 2 Cor 8:9: Rich, yet He became poor for us.
  5. Heb 12:2: He endured the cross for the joy ahead.

Go deeper

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You stooped to serve me; give me Your mind toward the people I find hardest to love. Amen.

Go deeper