Exegetical Study of Philippians 2:1-11

OUTLINE:

“1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if

any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by

being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish

ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you

should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”1

As a part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to Philippi he encourages the church there, in

the passage of Philippians 2:1-11, to be united together in selfless humility. As a model of

this truth, Paul uses the perfect example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the perfect

example of selfless humility in servanthood. This is Paul’s encouragement to the church as

they live humbly as followers of Christ.

1. (2:1-11)—Living Humbly as followers of Christ

a. (1-4)—Motivation to live humbly in unity Christ

i. (1)—Four Spiritual Benefits

ii. (2-4)—Four Spiritual Directives

b. (5-11)—Christ the Model of Living Humbly

i. (5-8)—Christ’s emptying

ii. (9-11)—Christ’s exalting

1 The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:1-11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

An outline of this passage begins with the beginning section in verses 1-4. In these

verses Paul motivates the believers at Philippi to live in unity and humility for Christ. In

verse 1 Paul lists four spiritual benefits or incentives for unity, “If you have any

encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any

fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion.2”

In verses 2-4 he writes the directives for the four incentives listed in verse 1, “2then

make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and

purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider

others better than yourselves 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but

also to the interests of others.3”

The next section, 5-11, Paul provides a flawless model of living humbly by explaining

the selflessness sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In verse 5, Paul declares that the attitude of every

believer must reflect the attitude of Jesus Christ, “5 Your attitude should be the same as that

of Christ Jesus:4” In verses 6-8, an example of Christ’s selfless humility is described as He

emptied Himself and took on human nature and died on Calvary’s cross, “6Who, being in

very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made

himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And

being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!5”

2The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

3The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:2–4). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

4The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:5). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

5The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:6-8). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

In the final verses of this paragraph, verses 9-11, Paul explains the exaltation of Jesus

through His humility and obedience to the Father, “Therefore God exalted him to the

highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of

Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every

tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.6”

INTRODUCTION:

Many Christians have memorized or at least heard verse five from this passage, “Let

this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus7”. What does it mean to have the mind

or as it is written in many other translations “attitude” of Christ Jesus? Philippians 2:1-11 is

a passage that is dense with valuable information which can be applied to believers and

congregations about who Jesus Christ is, and who each believer should be modeled after.

Throughout the last century or two, fractions of this passage have often been

perverted by popular western cults in an attempt to redefine Jesus Christ. However, when

this passage is studied contextually the information of Christ’s deity is rich.

What does it mean that we are to have the “attitude” of Christ Jesus and what is the

fullness of that meaning? The purpose of this exegetical paper is to understand better the

answers to these questions from this text by studying verse by verse. The aim is to

understanding what it meant to the original audience to whom Paul was writing and then

also what it means to believers today.

6The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:6-8). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

7 The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.)

(Php 2:5). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

CONTEXT:

The book of Philippians is a Prison Epistle (letter written while in prison). Paul

probably wrote it from Rome about 62 A.D. as he anticipated his release from prison. Paul

had a great relationship with the church in Philippi and it is evident from the tone of this

letter. His tone throughout is passionate and encouraging. Ellsworth expounds, “Paul’s

relationship with the church at Philippi was a good one and the tone of his letter to them

expresses the warmth of his love and the depth of their fellowship in the gospel.8”

This church was the first church that Paul planted in Europe. They had faithfully

encouraged Paul and given support to him even during his imprisonment (4:10-18). This

letter was written to show his appreciation and love to the Philippians in a thank-you letter

and also to encourage their growth and warn them of false teachings. It was delivered from

Paul to Philippi by Epaphroditus, a Philippian himself, who had visited Paul.

In Acts 16, Paul traveled to Philippi during his second missionary journey. Philippi

was named after Phillip II of Macedon who conquered the city in the 4th century B.C. At the

time Paul arrived there it was a Roman colony and the population was very proud of their

Roman citizenship. Paul preached the Gospel at Philippi, particularly to a merchant named

Lydia and shortly after a church began. In Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas are beaten and

imprisoned after they cast a demon out of a slave girl who harasses their ministry.

In chapter 1 of Philippians, Paul mentions his current condition of persecution and

that it has “served to advance the gospel” (1:12). Paul then encourages them that no matter

what happens whether persecution should come to, “conduct yourselves in a manner

8 Ellsworth, R. (2004). Opening up Philippians (15). Leominster: Day One Publications.

worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). Finally, Paul tells them to stand together in unity as

“one” against those who oppose them.

Philippians 2:1-11 is tied to the previous chapter as Paul teaches them how to live

their lives patterned after Christ. Following this text he teaches that it is God that is

working through them, to do everything without compliant and to hold closely to the Word

of Life (2:13-16). In chapter 3, Paul encourages them all to “press on toward the goal”

(3:14). The passage that this paper is exegeting is sandwiched between the context of “unity

and standing firm in persecution” and “Christ’s strength and pressing on toward the goal”.

CONTENT:

Motivation to live humbly in unity Christ (1-4)

Four Spiritual Benefits (1)

Paul begins the chapter with “Therefore” although this word is not included in most

modern English translations it is found in the original Greek and used in the KJV, NASB,

NET and the ESV begins with the conjunction “So”. Nevertheless, the purpose is to refer

back to the previous thought in 1:27 and even to expand on the thought, “conduct

yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”.

He continues in the first verse by presenting a list of four spiritual benefits or

incentives. These four benefits are prescribed to the church in Philippi in order that they

might conduct themselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. To deliver these

incentives, Paul utilized four separate uses of the conjunction “if” implying a condition must

follow. Ellsworth comments, “Paul here piles one phrase on top of another, each

beginning with ‘if’. William Hendriksen notes: ‘Paul says “If”, not as if he doubts whether

the condition is really true, but simply to emphasize that when the condition is present, the

conclusion should also be present.9” These benefits are: (1) encouragement from being

united with Christ; (2) comfort from His love; (3) fellowship with the Spirit; (4) tenderness

and compassion.

Encouragement from being united in Christ- the word “encouragement”

here can also be translated as “consolation” or “comfort”. From the Greek it is paraklēsis a

word as MacArthur explains, “The Greek word that means “to come alongside and help,

counsel, exhort.10” The original audience would have understood this to mean just as Paul

said, that they can be encouraged by being united together with Jesus Christ.

Comfort from His love- surly grace is seen in this benefit. Paul encouraged the

audience with the infinite love of Christ who displayed His of love on the cross. Jesus’

teachings stressed love and the significance of the unity of love (John 3:16; Matthew 22: 37-

40). It is comforting when one realizes who it was that died.

Fellowship with the Spirit-the word fellowship can be translated as

“participation”, which the ESV does. The Greek word is koinōnia which means “close

mutual association”. The biblical audience would have understood this mutual association

to be common fellowship of believers through the Holy Spirit.

Tenderness and compassion-these are the unity of the heart. One of the

greatest attitudes we find throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ was His tenderness and

compassion for others and Paul and the other Apostles knew this and also taught it.

9 Ellsworth, R. (2004). Opening up Philippians (35). Leominster: Day One Publications.

10

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005. Pg 1715

These four incentives or benefits bring unity to the church. Paul affirmed these

qualities and the original biblical audience knew and understood that.

Four Spiritual Directives (2-4)

In verses 2-4, Paul begins by writing “make my joy complete”. Paul already shared

his joy in chapter 1 and he is joyful in Christ even in suffering persecution. However, they

are able to further and even complete this joy by fulfilling and obeying the teachings that he

is about to present to them.

Next, Paul presents another list. This time it is a list of four directives that link to the

four benefits in the first verse. These directives are the conclusion to the four “ifs” listed

above. They are: (1) be like-minded; (2) have the same love; (3) be one in spirit and

purpose; and (4) do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Be like-minded-Paul’s condition, “If you have any encouragement from being

united with Christ” comes together here. It is understood as: because we are encouraged by

being united together with Jesus Christ—be like-minded.

Have the same love-Paul’s condition, “if any comfort from his love” comes

together and is understood as: because we have experienced the infinite love of Christ—

have the same love. This Greek word agapē is the same word for love as in verse 1. It

means, “to have esteem’ or ‘high regard.11”

11

Lockyer, Sr., Herbert. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.

Being one in spirit and purpose-Paul’s condition, “if any fellowship with the

Spirit” is understood as: because we have common fellowship of believers through the Holy

Spirit—be one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit-Paul’s condition “if any

tenderness and compassion” also comes together: because there is tenderness and

compassion—do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

The Holman Bible Handbook expounds, “In this very significant section of the

letter, Paul urged the church members to dismiss their pride and to live and serve together

in unity. Anything less falls short of the gospel’s standards. True unity will be realized by

authentic meekness and selflessness, ultimately exemplified in the earthly life of Jesus. The

attitude the church should exhibit was the one Jesus maintained.12”

In verse 3b, Paul calls for humility. We see this humility as a contrast from “selfish

ambition and vain conceit”; things that come naturally to the fallen human spirit. Finally

in verse 4, Paul asks that the believers at Philippi place the interests of others before

themselves.

Christ the Model of Living Humbly (5-11)

Christ’s emptying (5-8)

In verses 5-11, Paul relates the contents of the past four verses to Jesus Christ. “Your

attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”. Other translations use the word

“Mind” for example the NRSV reads, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ

Jesus”. The Greek word, phroneō allows for the translation of mind. It literally means “set

12

Dockery, D. S., Butler, T. C., Church, C. L., Scott, L. L., Ellis Smith, M. A., White, J. E., & Holman Bible

Publishers (Nashville, T. (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (721). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

one’s mind on”. In this case, believers in Philippi are to set their minds to think the same as

Jesus Christ and to apply the four spiritual benefits that Paul put forth in verses 1-4. Henry

explains this thought well, “Observe, Christians must be of Christ’s mind. We must bear a

resemblance to his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. If we have not the Spirit

of Christ, we are none of his, Rom. 8:9.13” Jesus Christ is the example of unity and humility

that Paul has been expounding on. Paul explains this example from general in verse 5 to

specific details in 6-8.

Verse 6-8 makes a switch to the topic of Christ’s divinity. This next section of the

passage is an example of how Jesus Christ preformed this “attitude”. This example is

unsurpassed and incomparable hence Paul’s reason for using the perfection of Jesus Christ

as a pattern.

Paul writes that Jesus was in the “very nature of God” implying that Jesus’ nature is

the same as that of God’s. All of the characteristics, attributes, and qualities of God’s nature

are also possessed by Christ. Some of these include self-existence, omniscience,

omnipotence, omnipresence, and holiness. Verse 6 makes an astonishing statement about

Jesus; He “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”. Wiersbe explains,

“But Philippians 2:6 states an amazing fact: He did not consider His equality with God as

“something selfishly to be held on to.” Jesus did not think of Himself; He thought of others.

His outlook (or attitude) was that of unselfish concern for others14” This is the example

Paul is making about the mind, the “attitude” of Christ. Jesus’ own divine nature He chose

13

Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume

(Php 2:1–11). Peabody: Hendrickson.

14

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Php 2:5). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

it not to be “something to be used for His own advantage” (HCSB). What did Jesus do

about this?

Paul continues in verse 7 that Jesus “made Himself of nothing, taking on the very

nature of a servant”. Jesus took on the nature of humanity. This nature of humanity

contrasts the nature of God; it is limited, created and most of all sinful. This is a stark and

sober difference and, with the exception of sin, it is what Jesus humbled Himself to become.

Jesus came to earth and was limited by the physical limitations of humanity (hunger, tired,

pain, etc). The Greek word kenoō means “cause to lose power” The HCSB and the NASB

use the translation, “He emptied Himself “. Jesus voluntarily chose to lay down the use of

His divine power to become like a slave in obedience to the Father.

Fully God and fully human Jesus became a servant. During His life and ministry on

earth Jesus obeyed the Father and in verse 8, He was “obedient to death even death on the

cross!” taking the wrath of the Father that mankind deserves and bore it Himself. This is a

glimpse of the Gospel as Paul also explains it in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; God gave Himself for

the sinner in humility on the cross. The cross crucifixion was well known by the Philippians

because it was the Roman method of execution. The believers at Philippi understood the

act of servanthood in this passage.

Christ’s exaltation (9-11)

The final three verses, 9-11, Paul switches again and shows Christ’s exaltation. He

begins with the conjunction “therefore” referring back to the attitude of servanthood and

obedience Jesus displayed to the Father. God exalted Him to the highest place. The past

tense of the word “exalted” implies that He is now at that position in glory. This can be

understood as a cause and effect. The cause- because Jesus is God and because He became

human and died for all; the effect-God exalted Him to the highest place or position. Not

that Jesus gained this position but that He was restored to His previous position that He

had before “emptying Himself”. Walvoord observed, “Christ’s exaltation and His receiving

a name that is above every name was the answer to His high-priestly prayer (John

17:5).15” The high-priestly prayer Walvoord mentioned was prayed by Jesus in the Garden

of Gethsemane, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with

you before the world began.”

9b begins with another conjunction “and” another effect: God “gave Him the name

that is above every name”. The word “name” is repeated in this section three times

signifying the importance Jesus’ exalted role/position. In the past four verses, 8-11, there is

another list formed (1) Jesus humbled Himself; (2) became obedient to death; (3) was

exalted to the highest place; and (4) was given the name above all names.

Verse 10 explains that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” This is the act

of worship that is to be given to God; here it is implied that the Philippians worship Jesus

Christ because of who He is. The entire race of humanity is urged to worship Jesus Christ.

All those who are “in heaven and on earth and under the earth” are to bow to Him. Then

in the final verse, 11, “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. The word “confess”

is the Greek word exomologeomai which means “profess allegiance”. It is used as an active

present verb in this verse indicating that it will be a continued confessing in the future.

Christ is the only one deserving of such worship and allegiance.

15

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An

exposition of the scriptures (Php 2:9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

In verses 10-11, Paul referred to Isaiah 45:23, “By myself I have sworn, my mouth

has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will

bow; by me every tongue will swear.16” This passage in Isaiah 45 is of course referring the

act of worship to God therefore; it is another example of the divinity of Jesus Christ. “To the

glory of God the Father”; all that Paul explained to the believers in Philippi, all that Christ

did on Calvary’s cross, and all that today’s believers are to live out as we engage society for

Christ is for the utmost glory of God the Father. The original audience would have

understood these 11 verses to be a guideline and example of how to live and “conduct

yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27).

APPLICATION:

For today’s believer we have little that separates us from this particular situation in

this passage than that of the original intended biblical audience. Christ is still our perfect

model of humility and unity. After almost 2000 years there still is no better example of

humility than that of God humbly becoming a sinless human servant to rescue mankind by

dying a violent death and carrying the weight of our sin in which we deserve.

This is the mind or attitude that we even today must also have. Literally, we must

think exactly like Christ thought by being like-minded, having the same comfort from

Christ’s love, being one in unity with the Spirit and purpose and also avoid doing anything

out of selfishness.

In our churches today it is easy for members to fall into the habit of Churchianity.

Week after week the ritual and rotation becomes normal; and so does complacency. But if

16

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 45:23). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

the attitude of Christ is maintained than “looking to the interests of others” (2:4) will

discourage the complacency that comes with selfishness.

Our society is used to bad news. We see it on the evening news; hear it on the radio,

we even entertain ourselves with movies that express difficult situations. Desensitization

sets into Americans at an early age and when times come that we hear bad news that is

close to us we often don’t feel the compassion that we should. I mean compassion to the

point that we show it to others in love and works. Keeping the conscious attitude of Christ

Jesus sharp we will have “tenderness and compassion” for the hurting by “considering

others better than yourselves”. This is what Christ did out of humility for every sin we’ve

committed. Live humbly as a follower of Christ Jesus.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dockery, D. S., Butler, T. C., Church, C. L., Scott, L. L., Ellis Smith, M. A., White, J. E., & Holman Bible Publishers (Nashville, T. (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (721). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Ellsworth, R. (2004). Opening up Philippians (15; 35). Leominster: Day One Publications.

Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Php 2:1–11). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Lockyer, Sr., Herbert. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005. Pg 1715

The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.) (Php 2:5). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 45:23). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996 (electronic ed.) (Php 2:1-11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Php 2:9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Php 2:5). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor

Books.