Illustrating Humility in Our Lives from Philippians 2:5-8
Illustrating Humility from Philippians 2:5-8
Philippians 2:5-8 (BSB) reads: "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used for His own advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a slave, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross" [2].
The passage is part of a larger exhortation to unity and humility within the Philippian church. Paul encourages believers to adopt the mindset of Christ, who exemplified humility in His incarnation and sacrifice [8]. The surrounding verses (Philippians 2:1-4) urge the Philippians to be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, being in full accord and of one mind, doing nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility counting others better than themselves [4].
The historical setting of Philippians is a church founded by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:9-40). The letter is addressed to a community facing persecution and internal conflicts, making Paul's exhortation to humility particularly relevant [6].
The key terms in Philippians 2:5-8 include "form of God" (morphē Theou), "emptied Himself" (ekenōsen), and "form of a slave" (morphē doulou). The phrase "form of God" refers to Christ's divine nature, while "emptied Himself" signifies His willingness to relinquish divine prerogatives for the sake of humanity. "Form of a slave" highlights Christ's assumption of human nature and His servant-like obedience [9].
One major exegetical decision in this passage concerns the interpretation of "emptied Himself." Some understand this as Christ divesting Himself of divine attributes, while others see it as His willingness to take on human limitations without ceasing to be God [9].
The range of interpretations on Philippians 2:5-8 is broad. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, emphasizes Christ's humility as a pattern for believers, noting that the passage encourages saints to lowliness of mind in imitation of Christ [9]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Torrey's Topical Textbook, highlights Christ's humility as exhibited in His taking on human nature, submitting to ordinances, and becoming a servant [1].
This passage has significantly influenced Christian theology and practice. It has been used to illustrate the doctrine of Christ's kenosis, or self-emptying, and to encourage believers to adopt a humble mindset [3]. The example of Christ's humility has shaped Christian ethics, particularly in the areas of servanthood and self-sacrifice.
In tradition, Philippians 2:5-8 has been invoked in discussions of Christology and soteriology. The passage is seen as a crucial text for understanding the nature of Christ's incarnation and the significance of His death on the cross [5].
The emphasis on humility in Philippians 2:5-8 is echoed in other New Testament passages, such as Titus 3:3, which mentions the importance of humility in the context of God's kindness and love towards humanity [7]. The theme of humility is also reflected in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and in Jesus' teaching on servant-leadership (Mark 10:42-45).
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Philippians “Philippians 4:5 (BSB) — Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
- Philippians “doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; -- Philippians 2:3”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Philippians 2:8 cross-references: Deuteronomy 21:23, Psalms 22:16, Psalms 40:6, Proverbs 15:33, Isaiah 50:5, Matthew 17:2, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:42, Mark 9:2, Luke 9:29, John 4:34, John 10:18, John 12:28, John 14:31, John 15:10, Acts 8:33, Romans 5:19, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 3:13, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 5:5, Hebrews 10:7, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humiliation of Christ — (Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:3: 3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 2 This chapter contains several exhortations to unity, love, and concord, to humility, and lowliness of mind, and to a becoming life and conversation; and concludes with commendations of two eminent ministers of Christ, Timothy and Epaphroditus. The arguments engaging to harmony and mutual affection, are taken from the consolation that is in Christ, the comfort there is in love, the fellowship of the Spirit, and the bowels and mercies which become saints, Phi 2:1, as also from the joy this would fill the apostle with; and”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”