Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, 6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5–11 is a profound Christological hymn that presents the humility, obedience, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. It invites believers to adopt Christ’s mindset—one of self-emptying love that fulfills God’s plan of salvation. Though divine by nature, Christ did not cling to His equality with God but freely emptied Himself (kenōsis) by taking on human form and becoming obedient unto death—even death on a cross (vv. 6–8). In response, God highly exalted Him, bestowing upon Him the name above every name—Jesus is Lord—to whom all creation must bow (vv. 9–11).
The hymn traces the arc of Christ’s pre-existence, kenosis, incarnation, obedient death, and exaltation—all of which are deeply foreshadowed in the Old Testament. These themes reveal how the New Testament presents Jesus not merely as the fulfillment of isolated prophecies, but as the culmination of the entire narrative of Israel: the true Adam, the faithful Servant, the exalted Son of Man, and the divine Lord before whom every knee shall bow.
Christ is portrayed as the New Adam who, unlike the first Adam who grasped at divinity (Gen 3:5–6), humbly emptied Himself (cf. Rom. 5:12–19; 1 Cor. 15:45–47). By taking the form of a servant (Ex. 21:5–6) and suffering obediently, He fulfills the role of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isa. 52:13–53:12). He embraces the curse of death on a tree (Deut. 21:23) and gives voice to the righteous sufferer of Psalm 22. His exaltation fulfills the vision of the Son of Man receiving dominion (Dan. 7:13–14) and the Divine Son inheriting the nations (Ps. 2:7–8). When every knee bends before Him, Isaiah’s prophecy of YHWH’s universal lordship (Isa. 45:23), the worship due to God alone (Ps. 95:6), and Zechariah’s vision of the Lord reigning as one (Zech. 14:9) are fully realized in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:5–11 thus encapsulates Christ’s redemptive suffering, death, and glorification. His obedience reverses the disobedience of man, making salvation possible for all (cf. Rom. 5:19). His exaltation establishes His universal Lordship (cf. Col. 1:15–20), bringing to fulfillment the Father’s plan “to unite all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10).
Lord Jesus Christ, You, though divine, humbled Yourself for our sake—becoming the faithful Servant, the New Adam, and the exalted Son of Man. By Your Cross, You bore our curse and fulfilled the cry of the righteous sufferer. Now exalted above all, to You every knee shall bend and every tongue confess: You are Lord. Grant us hearts like Yours—humble, obedient, and full of love—that we may share in Your glory and fulfill the will of the Father. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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