He humbled himself
by obediently facing death
—death on the cross.
9
That is why God exalted him
and gave him the name
above all names,
Commentaries
2:1 - 2:18
Christian Love and the Humility of Christ.
Paul begins his call to charity and humility with a strong display of motivation. While both themes are well known, the significance of these verses lies in their connection: humility is both the result and a foundation of genuine and lasting charity. If selfishness opposes love (cf. 1 Cor 10:24), then pride is its greatest enemy. One of the main psychological reasons Paul urges brotherhood is the affection and fellowship that bind him with the Philippians. To give them an example of Christ, Paul compiles and possibly revises a Christian hymn—whether Aramaic or Greek—that communities used to express their worship of Jesus Christ, affirming his divinity, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship.
Commentaries
Christian Love and the Humility of Christ.
Paul begins his call to charity and humility with a strong display of motivation. While both themes are well known, the significance of these verses lies in their connection: humility is both the result and a foundation of genuine and lasting charity. If selfishness opposes love (cf. 1 Cor 10:24), then pride is its greatest enemy. One of the main psychological reasons Paul urges brotherhood is the affection and fellowship that bind him with the Philippians. To give them an example of Christ, Paul compiles and possibly revises a Christian hymn—whether Aramaic or Greek—that communities used to express their worship of Jesus Christ, affirming his divinity, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship.