Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Philippians

Philippians 2:1-11

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NET Bible Text

2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, 2:2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 2:3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 2:4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 2:5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, 2:6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 2:8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross! 2:9 As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow - in heaven and on earth and under the earth - 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Simple Summary

Paul calls believers to live in humble unity, with one love and one purpose. He warns them to turn from selfish ambition and to care for one another’s interests. He grounds this appeal in Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to death on a cross and was then exalted by God as Lord.

What This Passage Means

Paul is continuing his appeal for the church to stand together. The words “if there is any encouragement in Christ” are not doubts. They point to blessings the believers already share: comfort from love, fellowship in the Spirit, affection, and mercy. Because these things are true, they should complete Paul’s joy by living in real unity.

That unity should show itself in the same mind, the same love, and one purpose. Paul is not calling for shallow sameness. He is calling for deep agreement in love and shared concern. He also warns against selfish ambition and empty glory. The problem is not only open conflict, but proud motives.

Instead, believers must be humble. They should treat others as more important than themselves and look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others. This is more than private kindness. It should shape the whole life of the church.

Paul then points to Christ Jesus. The attitude believers should have toward one another is the attitude seen in Christ. Though he existed in the form of God, he did not use equality with God for self-advantage. He humbled himself by taking the form of a servant, becoming truly human, and obeying even to death on a cross.

Because of that obedience, God exalted him and gave him the name above every name. The result is universal honor: every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Important Truths

• Believers already share encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, fellowship in the Spirit, affection, and mercy.
• Christian unity includes the same love, shared purpose, and practical concern for one another.
• Selfish ambition and empty glory damage church life.
• Humility means counting others above yourself and caring about their interests, not only your own.
• Christ truly existed in the form of God, but he did not use his equality with God for self-advantage.
• Jesus humbled himself in obedient servanthood all the way to death on a cross.
• God exalted Jesus, and one day every creature will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Warnings, Promises, or Commands

• Do not separate verses 6-11 from verses 1-5. Christ’s example supports the call to humility and unity.
• Do not reduce Christ to only an example. The passage also teaches his divine status, incarnation, death, exaltation, and lordship.
• Do not read “emptied himself” as meaning Jesus stopped being divine.
• Do not treat humility as self-hatred, passivity, or the loss of truth and responsibility.
• The passage promises that God will vindicate the obedient Son, even when his path leads through shame.
• The command is clear: reject rivalry, humble yourself, and look to the interests of others.
• The final confession of Jesus as Lord will bring glory to God the Father.

How This Fits in God's Plan

This passage echoes the Bible’s larger story of God exalting the one who humbles himself in obedience. It also uses language from Isaiah to show that the honor given to Jesus belongs within the sphere of divine honor, while still giving glory to God the Father.

Simple Application

Church life should not be built on rivalry, self-promotion, or the desire to be noticed. Christians should use their gifts and place in a way that serves others, follows Christ’s humility, and trusts God’s verdict more than public honor.