Philippians Chapter 2 — The Humility and Exaltation of Christ
Paul encourages the Philippian believers to practice humility and unity by following the example of Christ's sacrificial love and service.
1If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
2make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
4each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
5Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
6who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14Do all things without complaining and arguing,
15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
16holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.
17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18In the same way, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.
20For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
22But you know that he has proved himself. As a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
23Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.
24But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.
25But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
26since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.
27For indeed he was sick nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor,
30because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Philippians 2:5-7
“Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant...”
This passage illustrates the core theological concept of Christ's incarnation and sacrificial humility.
Philippians 2:10-11
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
These verses describe the ultimate exaltation and universal recognition of Jesus Christ's authority.
Philippians 2:13
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
This verse emphasizes God's active role in the spiritual growth and actions of the believer.
Chapter Summary
Philippians Chapter 2 opens with a call for unity through humility, urging believers to look out for the interests of others rather than just their own. Paul introduces the 'Christ Hymn,' describing how Jesus, though existing in the form of God, did not cling to His status but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient even to death on a cross. Because of this humility, God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name. Paul then encourages the church to work out their salvation with reverence, shining as lights in the world by avoiding complaining and arguing. The chapter concludes with Paul’s updates regarding his companions. He expresses hope to send Timothy to them soon, praising Timothy's genuine concern for the church. He also explains the return of Epaphroditus, who had become gravely ill while serving Paul but was mercifully healed by God, and instructs the Philippians to receive him with joy and honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul is encouraging believers to put their faith into practice through continued obedience and reverence. The text clarifies in the next verse that it is God who provides the internal desire and power to act according to His purpose.
Paul uses Jesus as the ultimate example of humility to show that greatness comes from serving others. He explains that even though Jesus shared God's nature, He chose to set aside His status to serve humanity, providing a model for how believers should treat one another.
Epaphroditus was a fellow worker and messenger sent by the Philippian church to help Paul during his imprisonment. He became dangerously ill to the point of death while serving, but Paul notes that God had mercy on him and restored his health.
Paul instructs the believers to live blameless and harmless lives without complaining or arguing. By doing so, they stand out as examples of God's character in the middle of a difficult and crooked generation.
Study Note
The passage spanning verses 6 through 11 is often referred to as the 'Carmen Christi' or 'Hymn to Christ,' representing one of the earliest recorded liturgical expressions of New Testament theology.
Related Chapters
Matthew 20
Jesus teaches that the greatest among His followers must be a servant, echoing the themes of humility in Philippians 2.
John 1
The description of Christ's divinity and incarnation in this chapter complements the theological focus of the Word becoming flesh.
Isaiah 45
The language of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing in Philippians 2:10-11 refers back to prophetic themes in Isaiah.
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