Interpreting Philippians Chapter 2 verse 5-11
Introduction
The main ideas in the verses are humility and exaltation. To get a grasp of what Paul has to say in these verses, it is crucial to understand the meanings of the words humility and exaltation. Humility is character or virtue of being humble and it is the ability to lower once self and lack pride in the way one carries him or herself. Exaltation, on the other hand, is the opposite of humility and people who exalt themselves are proud by carrying themselves with glory and are showoffs. In Philippians chapter 2 verses 5-11, Paul writes to a local church teaching them on these virtues and how Christians should carry themselves with respect to Christ. He uses Jesus’ life as a powerful example to promote lowering oneself in order to be exalted by the father above
Body
In verses five and six, Paul introduces Jesus Christ’s nature. Christians believe Jesus to be the son of God the highest. In this respect, Jesus is equal to God for He existed long before the creation of the world and everything in it. Paul emphasizes that Jesus was aware of his Devine nature, yet he chose not to take advantage of his position as an equal to God. In verse five, Paul urges Christians to make their attitude similar to Christ’s character. This means that Christians should emulate Christ and they shouldn’t take advantage of their position in society to have an unfair advantage against other people. Christians should strive to develop humility like Christ himself who chose to live among men as a servant despite being God.
In verse seven, Paul explores Jesus Christ’s humility that paints a clear picture of what Christ had to give up being among men. In this section, we see Jesus lowering himself from a position of great power as an equal of the creator of the universe, to take the form of a human being. To accentuate the extent of Christ’s humility, Jesus not only takes the form of a human being but becomes a slave among men. This is the ultimate show of humility the universe has ever witnessed and Paul urges Christian to strive to be as humble as Christ was. To sum up Jesus show of humility, Paul explains how Jesus remained humble to the point of death. Jesus died at the cross, a death that only criminals deserved. Jesus lowered himself from ultimate power to be a slave among men and as if that’s not enough, he humbly accepted to die as a criminal and stay obedient to his death. The selfless sacrifice is an epitome of humility and Paul uses it to show Christians that humility is indeed achievable if they emulate Christ.
In the verses that follow, Paul explains the consequences of being humble. After explaining the great sacrifice that Jesus made by lowering himself, he shows Christians how God rewards humility. In verse 9, Paul tells us that God exalted Jesus. He honored his name above any other name in the universe and it teaches Christians that God honors humility. Paul teaches the concept of upside down living and shows that the way to be exalted is through being humble and it means that those who exalt themselves will be humbled by the father above.
In verses ten to eleven, Paul continues to explain how God rewards humility. Jesus' name is put above every other name. Everyone shall bow before him including those in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Great honor is bestowed upon Christ as a reward for humility, therefore, Christians are given hope that when they show humility. God shall sure exalt them mightily. The gospel is for the glory of the father above, God of all creation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paul teaches Christians about the concept of humility and exaltation. Using the example of Christ, he shows Christians that to be exalted, they must be willing to humble themselves. From Paul's teachings in Philippians chapter 2 verse 5 to 11, Christians are also able to deduce that if they exalt themselves, they shall lose favor with God and be humbled mightily.
Work Cited
Philippians Chapter 2, Verse 5-11.
(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:5-11).
