The Mind of Christ: Philippians 2:1-11

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete.

Four ifs. Not doubts but affirmations. If you have encouragement—and you do. If you have comfort—and you do. If you share in the Spirit—and you do. If there is tenderness—and there is.

Since all these things are true, Paul said, then make my joy complete.

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Unity. Not uniformity of opinion but unity of love. Same love. One spirit. One mind. The community that mirrors the Trinity.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

Nothing out of selfish ambition. Nothing. The word eritheia means rivalry, faction-building, self-promotion. Root it out. Nothing from that source.

In humility value others above yourselves. Humility—tapeinophrosyne—wasn't a virtue in the Greco-Roman world. It meant lowliness, shame. But Paul transformed it. Considering others more significant than yourself—this is Christian humility.

Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Not your own interests. The instinct reversed. The default overridden. Look to the interests of others. See what they need. Serve what they lack.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Here it comes. The example. The model. The mind of Christ. Have this mind among yourselves—think the way Jesus thought.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

The Christ hymn begins. Perhaps Paul quotes an early Christian hymn. Perhaps he composes on the spot. Either way, the words soar.

In very nature God. Morphe theou—the form of God. Not mere appearance but essential nature. Christ was—is—God.

Did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. He was equal with God. But he didn't exploit it. Didn't leverage it for himself. Didn't grasp at the privileges.

Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Rather. The opposite of grasping. Emptying. Kenosis. He made himself nothing.

Taking the very nature of a servant. Morphe doulou—the form of a slave. The One who was God took the form of a slave. The contrast is total.

Being made in human likeness. God became human. Not appeared human—became human. Incarnation. The Word made flesh.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Found in appearance as a man. Seen, recognized, encountered as a human being. And then—further descent.

He humbled himself. Active voice. He did this. No one forced him. Voluntary humiliation.

Obedient to death. Obedience—the counter to Adam's disobedience. Obedient even to the point of death.

Even death on a cross. The lowest point. The most shameful execution. Reserved for slaves and rebels. The Son of God died a slave's death.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

Therefore. Because of the humiliation, the exaltation. The descent earned the ascent. The cross preceded the crown.

God exalted him. The Father raised and honored the Son. To the highest place—the right hand, the throne, the supreme position.

The name above every name. Not a new name but a revealed name. The name that was always his. Lord. Kyrios.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

Every knee. No exceptions. In heaven—angels, seraphim, the heavenly host. On earth—every human being who has ever lived. Under the earth—the dead, the demons, the powers of darkness.

Should bow. Will bow. The command is also prophecy. Every knee will bow. The question is only whether willingly now or unwillingly later.

And every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Every tongue confess. The same comprehensive scope. Every language. Every voice. Jesus Christ is Lord.

To the glory of God the Father. The Son's exaltation glorifies the Father. There is no competition in the Trinity. The Father delights to honor the Son. The Son delights to glorify the Father.

This is the mind of Christ. Descent before ascent. Humiliation before exaltation. Service before glory.

Have this mind among yourselves.

Consider others more significant than yourselves.

The One who was God became a slave.

What excuse do we have for our pride?