Imitating Christ's Humility
Philippians 2:1 - 11
Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion,
Therefore
– building upon what Paul had said in Philippians 1:27-30, where he
told the Philippians how to stand strong for the Lord against
external
conflicts. He now turns the focus to internal conflicts.
If you have any – The introduction to the basis for Paul's
exhortation to unity, humility and love amongst believers. If the
Philippian Christians have received the things he mentioned they have
a responsibility to do to what he's going to describe.
Paul was pouring out his whole heart.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ – This
is, of course, a rhetorical question. There is great encouragement
from being united with Christ. Every Christian should know this
encouragement.
The Spirit encourages, but Christ is the encouragement.
If any comfort from his love – The second rhetorical question in
this passage. This affrms the great comfort of love.
2 Corinthians 1:3 – God is the God of all comfort. There is no way
that He cannot comfort us and no circumstance beyond His comfort.
Comfort – Gr. Paraklesis. It is more than soothing
sympathy. It includes the idea of strengthening, helping and making
strong. The idea behind the word is communicated by the Latin word.
Lat. Fortis. This also means brave. The love of God in our
lives makes us strong and brave.1
There are Christians who don't recognise the rich encouragement we
have in knowing Christ, who take comfort from other sources besides
the love of God and prefer fellowship outside that provided by the
Spirit, but they aren't the kind of Christians that make effective
partners in Gospel ministry.2
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Paul
was asking them to make his joy complete by living in unity, love and
humility. He used the words for joy
and rejoice
in two complementary ways in this letter. We should rejoice in who
the Lord is and in all that He has done for us. We should find our
joy and our boasting in the Lord and the Gospel. In addition, that
joy and our boasting in the Gospel become complete as our partners in
the work for the Gospel live their lives in harmony with the
implications of the Gospel. There is a completed joy to be found when
one's Gospel partners are united in spirit.3
3 Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others.
Make
my joy complete – A personal request. Part of the reason why Paul
wanted the Philippians to take heed of his word was because they
should know that it would make the founding apostle of their church
happy.
By
being like-minded, having the same live, being one in spirt and of
one mind - A deep, abiding, internal unity amongst the Philippians.
This
unity is the goal. What follows are descriptions of how to achieve
and practice this unity.
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition – This is the first step to that
unity. In the flesh, we are often motivated by selfish ambition or
conceit. Much of what is done is not done out of love for others, but
out of desires for 'advancement' or 'promotion'.
Paul
found it important to say selfish
ambition. Not all ambition is selfish.
There is a good
ambition – to glorify God and serve Him with everything we have.
Let nothing be done through … conceit – The second step. Conceit
is thinking too highly of yourself, of having an excessive self
interest and preoccupation with self. It could be more literally
translated as 'empty glory'.
A
dictionary definition of conceit: An
excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance, wit,
-
etc. We are out of God's will whenwe live with the feeling that we
are so important or so able, or so talented. We are working against
the unity that Paul was pleading with the Philippians to have.4
He
is not just asking them to think like each other, but like Christ.
That is, to be encouraging, comforting, sharing, tender and
compassionate, as Christ is. In this way, we would have the same kind
of love as He has, as we would have the same attitude and goals. This
is the one surefire way to be united with each other. Paul's joy
would be complete when the Philippian Christians put this into
practice, as his gospel would be complete.
Vs 3
– Paul is not saying that others are better, only to consider them
better. Christian unity must be built on considering others ahead of
self.
Vs 4
– We may consider our own interests, but we must also look out for
others. Christ didn't put Himself first, but He considered the needs
of others.5
Vs 2
– Paul wasn't doubting their Christian faith. He was reminding them
what the result of their faith should be. His emphasis was that their
spiritual experiences should have the result of unity and humility.
That they were to show Christ's love to others. If there was
disunity, their witness to the world would be weak. Paul was already
happy at their joy. But his joy would have been greater if he were to
hear that they were living at peace with each other.
Vs 3
– Christians should desire to bring honor to God, not to
themselves. Most people at that time thought that humility meant
weakness. Paul knew that the God is our Maker and Saviour, so he knew
that the right attitude for a human is humility towards God.
Christians must know what they aren't good at. Then they will not be
too quick to blame others. They should look for the good qualities in
other Christians and appreciate their gifts.6
Have
the same mindset as Christ Jesus – Before he describes the mindset
of Jesus, he also tells us what to do with the information.
This
is not all that is in the mind of Christ, but Paul selected these
qualities to meet the needs of the Philippians.
Have
the same mindset – It's too easy to read the following description
of Jesus and admire it from a distance. God wants us to be in awe of
it, but also to see it as something we need to imitate.
Ref.
1 Corinthians 2:167
Paul
is continuing to call for unity among the Philippian believers. The
phrase 'In Christ' (or 'in the Lord') is used over 170 times in the
New Testament.
For
Paul, the basic reality of salvation was personal union with Christ.
This includes all the benefits described in verse 1.
There
is a clear connection between unity and union in Christ, with the
unity and union of believers. True unity cannot occur in the church
unless people are genuinely united with Jesus Christ and have a
genuine knowledge of Him.
Paul
called for this unity in four ways. To have the same mind (or the
same thinking. Gr.
Phroneō),
to have the same love, to be joined together in Spirit, and to be in
one mind (Phroneō
used
again).
Paul used this word (and cognates) many times in Philippians. It is
much more than just a mental exercise. It is the outworking of
thought that the conduct of a person is determined by via their
motives.
Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to think the same way, and to
have the same mind. That is to have similar attitudes, concerns and
intentions.
Their
disunity may have been caused by some differences of opinion. Paul
wanted them to have the same mind and be in harmony on some unknown
subject. This doesn't mean that it necessary to always have the same
opinions in church life on various matters. Even Paul had
disagreements with other apostles at times. Often it is good to have
differences of opinion as this can stretch our understanding of God,
His word and His mission. But we must be wary not to let differences
of opinion destroy an individual's faith or the testimony of the
church.8
6 Who, being in very nature[a]9
God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
In very
nature God – Describes Jesus' pre-incarnate existence. He didn't
come into existence in Mary's womb, but is eternal God.
Being –
Gr. Huparchein
Paul was informing his Greek readers that our Lord's possession of
the divine essence remained with Him when He came to Earth to assume
human form. This word is enough to refute any claims that Jesus had
emptied Himself of His Deity when He was Incarnated.
Form
– Gr. Morphe. The
essential form which never alters. This word is very difficult to
translate. When we use the word 'form' we think of the shape of
something. But this word had none of this idea. It moreso refers to
to the idea of a mode
or essence. It
therefore means, the essential nature of God, without the implication
of a physical shape or image. It refers to that outward expression
which someone gives of his inmost nature.10
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b]11 of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Rather,
he made himself nothing – The most well known translation of this
is that 'He emptied Himself'.
We need
to be careful to think about what Jesus emptied Himself of. It is
detailed in the following verses, but we must take care that we don't
think that He emptied himself of His deity in any way.
He
didn't become 'less God' in the incarnation. Deity was not
subtracted, rather, humanity was added to His nature.
By
taking the very nature of a servant – This describes how
Jesus emptied himself. Although He took on the form of a servant, He
did not empty Himself of His deity, or of any of his attributes, or
of His equality with God. He emptied Himself into
the form of a servant, not merely the form of a man.
Being made in human likeness – This is a further description of how
Jesus emptied Himself. Angels are servants, but not in human
likeness.
The
word for likeness may refer to merely the outward form of something.
While Jesus did have the outward form of humanity, His outward form
reflected His true humanity which was added to His deity.12
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death
even death on a cross!
He humhled himself by becoming obedient – Jesus was being obedient
to His Father's Will when He humbled Himself. It was something he
could only experience by coming down from the throne of Heaven and
becoming a man.
One key to His obedience on Earth was the endurance of suffering.
This was something He could only learn by experience after the
incarnation. (ref Hebrews 5:8)
Indeed He humbled himself.
In that He took the form of a man, rather than an angel
In that He was born into an obscure, oppressed place.
In that He was born into poverty among a despised people.
In that He was born as a child instead of appearing as a man.
In submitting to the obedience appropriate for a child in a
household.
In learning and practicing a trade.
In the long wait until He launched out into public ministry.
In the companions and disciples He chose.
In the audience He appealed to and the way He taught.
In the temptations He endured.
In the weakness, hunger, thirst and tiredness He endured.
In His total obedience to His Heavenly Father.
In His submission to the Holy Spirit.
In choosing and submitting to the death of the Cross.
In the agony of His death.
In the shame, mocking, and public humiliation of His death.
In enduring the spiritual agony of His sacrifice on the Cross.
We could imagine that it was possible for the Son of God to become
man and pay for the sins of the world without this great humiliation.
He might have added the humanity of the 33 year old man to His diety
and suffered for the sins of man in a hidden place far from the eyes
of man. Yet He did not. He humbled Himself. He did it for the
surpassing greatness of our salvation and His work for us.
To death, even death on a cross! - This states the extent of Jesus'
humility and obedience.
Crucifixion was such a shameful death, that it wasn't permitted for
Roman citizens. One who was crucified was considered by the Jews to
be particularly cursed by God. (Deut 21:23, Gal 3:13).
Death on a cross – described as 'Jesus coming down to experience
the most despised death of all, a condemned criminal on the accursed
cross.'
It shows that there is no limit to what God will do demonstrate His
love and saving power to men. What must sin have been in the sight of
God, when it required such abasement in Jesus Christ to make an
atonement for it and undo it's influence and malignity!
The lower He stoops the save us, the higher we ought to lift Him in
our adoring reverence.
Even death on a cross! - A great display of Jesus' power. As a result
of Paul's previous experiences with the Philippian Christians, they
were tempted to thing of God's power as being expressed only in
exaltation and deliverance and not in terms of glorifying God through
humble service and endurance.
Paul was reminding them that his Roman imprisonment could still show
the glory and power of God.13
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place – It was God, the
Father, not Jesus Himself who did the exaltation.
And gave him the name that is above every name – Goes beyond giving
Jesus the divine name Yahweh. This implies that God declares that
Jesus a character and person above all.
This
is a clear statement of Jesus' deity. There is no reason to doubt
that He is divine. There is no higher name than Yahweh and Jesus has
that name.14
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow – Jesus has been
exalted by the Father, but the whole world will be brought into
submission by the Son.
This doesn't imply a universal salvation, but it does mean that
every personal being will ultimately confess Christ's lordship,
either with joyful faith, or with resentment and despair.
In heaven and on earth and under the earth – All of Creation will
recognise the Christ as sovererign.
Paul refers to the idea in Isaiah 45:23. In Isaiah it's Yahweh. Here
it is to Jesus. Further confirmation that Jesus is Yahweh.
Under the earth – those who are dead.
Every knee should bow … every tongue acknowledge – This gives
evidence that the idea is a complete submission to Jesus, both in
word and action, that is required of all.
That Jesus Christ is Lord – There is a sense in which Jesus
returned to heaven with more than He had when he left. Not only that
He returned with His humanity still added to His deity, He also
returned with the recognition among men of who He was and the worship
He deserved – which was unknown until He was incarnated and fully
revealed who He was.
It
was only as a result of the Incarnation that he appeared
to men
to be equal with the Father.
He might have used the miraculous powers inherent in His divine
nature in such a way as to compel men to worship Him as God. Instead,
He was wiling to attain this high dignity by the path of humiliation,
suffering and death.
Jesus
Christ is Lord – Gr. Kurios,
used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew YHWH. Paul is
delibrately saying that Jesus is equal with the Father.
Paul
didn't doubt who was really Lord. It wasn't the Ceasar whom he was to
stand trial before. Ceasar
may have been a high name, but it wasn't the name above all names,
which belongs to Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father – Paul wasn't
giving this description of Jesus as a simple theological education
for the Philippian Christians.
He wanted them to be equipped to endure the hardships they were
experiencing.
And to understand the hardships he was undergoing.
And to help them to practice real Christian unity in the midst of
hard times.
The picture of Jesus given here would help them understand Paul's
ministry, which seemed weak at that time.
It also helped them to understand the context of God's revelation of
power – How God delights to show His power through humble actions.
It also has equipped them to act in a way towards each other that
will promote unity in the body of Christ.
Finally,
it has also shown them how to follow Jesus' pattern of patient,
humble obedience.15
Jesus had willingly set his rights as the Son aside, in order to be
humble as a Man. His desire to serve was complete. Humility is the
praiseworthy way.16
Jesus had always been God, since before the beginning of time. (ref.
Colossians 1:17, John 8:58) He did not need to seize the same honour
as God. It was always His by right. Nor did He try to hold onto that
same honour. It was laid aside on behalf of everyone.
In order to become a servant, Jesus laid aside his riches in heaven.
(ref. 2 Corinthians 8:9) He left His home in Heaven and had no home
on Earth. (Luke 9:58). He had given up the glory that He had with His
Father. But he became a person to whom many refused to give honour.
He had become a real man. He was like men in every way, except that
He did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15). He suffered hunger, thirst and
tiredness. (Mark 11:12, John 4: 7, Luke 8:23). He was happy, and also
wept (John 15:11, 11:35). He became a servant, even washing His
disciples' feet (John 13: 5)!
Paul emphasised that Christ was obedient to the Father even unto
death! Death on a cross was a cruel punishment for slaves and
criminals. Jews believed that anyone who died on a cross was beyond
God's grace (Deut 21:23). For this reason it was hard for Jews to
believe that Christ's death on the Cross was on behalf of everyone
(Galatians 3:13).
The mystery of God's great love and Jesus' great sacrifice can only
cause us to worship.
When He comes again, all created beings will worship Him.17
What effects has being united wth Christ had on your life?
What is humility and why is it so essential to living the Christian
life?
In view of His origin, what kinds of humiliation did Jesus face in
His life?
Do you have sources of humiliation in your life?
During His life as a man, what are some ways in which Christ
practiced obedience?
How is Christ's role presently different than it was during His three
year Ministry?18
9NIV
subnote: Or in the form
of
11NIV
subnote: Or in the form
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