Understanding the Mind of Christ in Philippians 2:5-8
Understanding the Mind of Christ in Philippians 2:5-8
Paul's exhortation "let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus" [1] stands at the head of one of the New Testament's most concentrated christological passages. The verse introduces a hymnic section (verses 6–11) that traces Christ's descent from divine glory to crucifixion and subsequent exaltation. Paul's immediate concern is not abstract theology but concrete ethics: he summons the Philippian believers to adopt the same disposition that characterized Jesus.
Literary Context and Purpose
The passage appears within a sustained appeal for unity and humility in the Philippian congregation. Paul has just urged them to do nothing from selfish ambition, to count others more significant than themselves, and to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others (2:3–4). The Christ-hymn functions as the supreme warrant for this ethic. As John Chrysostom observes, "Our Lord Jesus Christ, when exhorting His disciples to great actions, places before them Himself" [7]. The pattern is deliberate: Christ's self-emptying becomes the paradigm for Christian conduct.
The Mind of Christ: Humility and Self-Renunciation
Adam Clarke identifies the core disposition as one in which "Christ labored to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race" [4]. The "mind" (Greek phronēma) Paul commends is not merely intellectual assent but a governing orientation of will and affection. Clarke specifies that Christ "was ever humble, loving, patient, and laborious; his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work" [4].
John Gill emphasizes that Paul "proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility" [5], pointing specifically to Christ's assumption of human nature and his subjection to death, even crucifixion. The apostle's aim is "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" [5]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that Paul does not put himself forward as the example but "Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but 'humbled Himself'" [6], first in the incarnation, then further in his obedient suffering.
The Descent: Form of God to Death on a Cross
Verses 6–8 trace a double movement of humiliation. Though existing "in the form of God," Christ "counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men" [7]. The language of "emptying" (kenōsis) has generated extensive theological reflection, but Paul's ethical point is clear: Christ relinquished prerogatives and embraced vulnerability.
The descent continues: "being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross" [7]. The cross references in verse 8 span the scriptural witness to this obedience: Psalms 40:6 and Isaiah 50:5 on willing submission, John 10:18 and 14:31 on voluntary obedience, Hebrews 5:5 and 10:7 on Christ's priestly self-offering, and Galatians 3:13 on the curse borne [2]. The cumulative effect underscores that Christ's humility was not passive resignation but active, costly obedience.
Implications for the Philippian Community
Paul's appeal to Christ's example addresses a concrete situation. He has already lamented that "all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" [3], a complaint echoed in his concern that the Philippians maintain unity rather than fracture over personal ambition. The mind of Christ stands in stark contrast to self-seeking. Where Christ descended, the Philippians are tempted to grasp for status. Where Christ served, they risk rivalry.
The passage thus functions both as theological foundation and ethical imperative. The same disposition that led Christ to the cross—humble, other-centered, obedient—must characterize those who bear his name. This is not merely moral exhortation but participation in a pattern established by the incarnation itself. The mind of Christ is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality, demonstrated in history and now to be embodied in the community of faith.
Sources
- Philippians “Philippians 2:5 (LITV) — For let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus,”
- 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”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Philippians 2:21 cross-references: 2 Kings 12:6, Isaiah 56:11, Malachi 1:10, Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:57, Luke 14:26, Acts 13:13, Acts 15:38, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Philippians 1:20, Philippians 2:4, 2 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:16”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus - Christ labored to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race. See then that ye have the same disposition that was in Jesus: he was ever humble, loving, patient, and laborious; his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work.”
- 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”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:5: The oldest manuscripts read, "Have this mind in you," &c. He does not put forward himself (see on Phi 2:4, and Phi 1:24) as an example, but Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but "humbled Himself" (Phi 2:8), first in taking on Him our nature, secondly, in humbling Himself further in that nature (Rom 15:3).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily VI. Philippians ii. 5–8 “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Our Lord Jesus Christ, when exhorting His disciples to great actions, places before them Himself, and the Father, and the Prophets, as examples; as when He”