Philippians 2:5-11
He Emptied Himself
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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
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Paul calls believers to share the mind of Christ Jesus. The humility he has just commanded is shown supremely in their Lord, who serves at a cost beyond anything they can give.
Christ existed in the form of God. He did not treat equality with God as something to use for His own advantage. He emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant and being made in human likeness. The passage describes His taking humanity and a servant's place, not ceasing to be God.
As a man, He humbled Himself in obedience all the way to death, even death on a cross. His service involved suffering and shame. The Lord whom believers follow gave Himself rather than preserving His own comfort and honor.
Paul describes the honor God gives the obedient Son:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ's humiliation and exaltation belong together in Paul's appeal. The One who took the servant's place is the Lord before whom all will bow. Believers can gladly honor Him now by trusting Him and learning His way of humble service.
How We Know
Isaiah 45:21–23 declares that there is no other God and that every knee will bow before the Lord. Philippians 2:10–11 applies that universal homage to Jesus, ending with glory to God the Father. This close scriptural connection helps explain the greatness of Paul's confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Questions
1 Why does Paul describe Christ's humility here?
AnswerHe calls believers to share Christ's mind. Jesus' willing service gives them the pattern for putting others before themselves.
2 How does the passage describe Christ's emptying Himself?
AnswerHe takes the form of a servant and is made in human likeness. He truly becomes human without ceasing to be God.
3 How far does Christ's obedience take Him?
AnswerHe humbles Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. His service includes real suffering and shame.
4 What will every knee and every tongue do?
AnswerEvery knee will bow at Jesus' name, and every tongue will confess Him as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What This Means for Us
We may protect our importance by avoiding work we consider beneath us. Christ took the servant's place. Remembering Him can change our willingness to do an unnoticed chore, listen patiently or give up an advantage for another person's good.
Our humility is also worship. We serve under the Lord whom God has exalted above all. Bowing to Jesus means allowing His example and command to shape how we treat people today.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You took the servant's place and obeyed even to the cross. We honor You as Lord. Change our pride and teach us to serve with willing hearts. Amen.