Philippians 2:5-11

Have This Attitude (or mind)

Paul is telling the Philippians to have the mind of Christ. So the question is what is the mind of Christ

Existing as God but not considering equality with God

Philippians 2:6 NASB95

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Jesus is God. His divine nature has never changed and will never change. He is God. The word translated for existed or being which is used here is huparchein. It means that a part of a being that cannot change. This is the eternal divinity of Jesus. The Greek word for form is two-fold Morphe and Scema. Both must be used for the word form because their is not a two seperate words in the english language. Morphe means the same as huparchein. The part of a being that will never change. Schema means the outward form changes from time to time and circumstance to circumstance.

So to read this correctly it would say Jesus is God and his divinity never changes but his out ward appearance will. What des this mean practically? Jesu is fully God and fully man. He is not 50% God and 50% man. He is 100% both!

When Jesus came to earth He did not step away from his divinity. He remained God! When He came to earth as a man he became 100% man. It is not an either or but a both and. Jesus is fully God and fully man

Though Jesus is God in a different form as the Father, He did not consider equality with the Father something to be grasped. What this means is that His Godship did not change but His function with in the Godhead did.

Jesus emptied Himself

Philippians 2:7 NASB95

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Jesus chose to step out of his form of God and become man. It is known as the sacrifice of incarnation. Jesus chose to leave the glory of God to become a man. What did He empty Himself of? His heavenly glory. This means He gave up the face to face meetings with the Father. Though He prayed and communicated often He was not physically in His presence. He gave up His independent authority. He chose to become totally submissive to the Father in His incarnation. He gave up his eternal riches. While He was here on earth He was poor. Matt. 8:20

Matthew 8:20 NASB95

Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

He also gave up a favorable relationship with the Father. He took the wrath of the Father on Himself for the atonement of sinners.

Jesus also became a bond-servant to the Father. This means that He was totally obedient to the Father’s command. Luke 22:42

Luke 22:42 NASB95

saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

He did exactly what the Father commanded Him to do. He was 100% obedient.

Jesus also came in the likeness of man. This means He subjected himself to the limitations of man. He got tired, hungry, and thirsty. He went through the growing process. Luke 2:52

Luke 2:52 NASB95

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus perfectly understands us because he became us.

Humbled Himself to obedience to death on a cross

Not only did Jesus subject himself to the sacrifice of incarnation. But was so humble that He was willing to go through the most heinous and humiliating death.

He died as a criminal though He committed no crime. He bore the shame of humanity though He was without sin. He endured illegal trial though he had done nothing wrong. He endured mocking and did not return insult but remained silent.

Jesus suffered tremendously for being perfect. This doesn’t seem fair but it is what the Father desired. Jesus went to the cross to satisfy what the Father wanted. The Father wanted relationship with sinners that He loves. John 3:16

John 3:16 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God Exalted Jesus

Because Jesus willingly did what pleased the Father, God exalted Jesus. How?

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB95

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Bestowed on Him the name which is above every name

Acts 4:12 NASB95

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus is the only name by which man can be saved. There is no other way to God except through the name of Jesus. He is the one who satisfied the requirements of the law and the wrath of God. Jesus is the highest name there is.

Every knee will bow and tongue confess

Revelation 5:13–14 NASB95

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

This means everyone! Everyone ever created whether lost or saved will bow and confess Jesus as King. You can do that today and have everlasting life or you will confess Jesus as King after you die and be eternally separated from Him

Application Questions

Do you have a desire to have the Mind of Christ?

Are you willing to not think highly of yourself?

Are you willing to empty yourself by submitting wholly to Jesus

Are you willing to be obedient to anything He calls you to?

You will be rewarded for all of this.