Philippians 2:6 meaning
In discussing the profound humility of Jesus, this verse highlights the remarkable nature of Christ’s incarnation. Jesus, existing in the very form of God, did not cling to His divine privileges but willingly set them aside. This self-emptying, known as kenosis, signifies that while He retained His divine nature, He chose not to exercise certain divine rights or powers. Such humility stands in stark contrast to human tendencies toward ambition and self-preservation, showing a paradigm shift in understanding true greatness.
In Philippians 2:6, the Apostle Paul calls believers to adopt the same mindset as Christ. By embracing a posture of humility, one not driven by selfish ambition but by love and service to others, we reflect the nature of Christ. This approach not only fosters unity among believers but also emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing the needs of others, revealing the heart of the Christian faith—a life dedicated to serving beyond oneself. This principle aligns with the notion of selflessness, a crucial theme that echoes throughout Paul's teachings.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Philippians 2:5-11 meaning. The attitude of Christ Jesus was that of radical humility and radical obedience. Even though He was with God and was God, He lowered Himself not only by becoming a man, but by dying on the cross. Because of this, God the Father rewarded Jesus with rulership over the earth.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Philippians 1:2-6 meaning. Paul extends favor and peace to the Philippians. He expresses how thankful he is in his prayers concerning them. They have financially supported Paul throughout his ministry, so he views them as co-laborers, and is confident that Jesus will continue to work through their faithfulness until His return.
- Revelation 6:1-2 meaning. After the Lamb was found worthy to break the seals and open the scroll in Chapter 5, He begins to open it by breaking the first seal, which revealed the horseman with a bow who was given a crown and the authority to conquer.
- Philippians 3:2-7 meaning. Paul warns about teachers who seek to lead the Philippians away from the truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross. These were likely teachers who sought to add to Christ’s gospel, telling Gentiles to rely on religious practice to become righteous. But Paul points out that he is the most Jewish of Jews and yet he does not count on religious practice gaining him benefit in the sight of God; only faith in Christ gains us justification in the sight of God, and only the obedience of faith in Jesus pleases God, and gains us rewards from Him.