Philippians 2:7 - Forerunner Commentary

Philippians 2:7

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians 2:7:

Philippians 2:7-8
Excerpted from: Government (Part Six)

We aren't going to go into this in any kind of detail, but "humility" is shown in the Bible as a characteristic that is chosen. A person chooses to be humble. It is a choice that is presented to each individual. We'll touch on this just a little bit later in the sermon.

Let's think about this. His response to GOD's governance—and the needs of man—was to humbly and selflessly submit. What we are seeing here is an example of supreme condescension—in giving up an existence equal to God! He didn't grasp at it. He voluntarily gave it up. Here is the pattern, for you and me, so that we might become submissive to God.

There was no asserting of His "rights", but there was a supreme recognition of the authority of God's Word. (This is in Jesus Christ.) He didn't come and start throwing His weight around, become authoritative and bash heads. Remember that we are talking about GOD in the flesh. Human beings do not want to submit. Human beings who are converted are going to have to fight this all their life. It is a choice that has to be made.

What did Jesus do, then? He, instead, came as an Apostle—one bearing a message. And He taught that message. He came—like He, Himself, said He did (in Matthew 20)—as bond slave. Remember how He pointed out to His disciples, "I am the pattern." You have to become a slave—just like the Son of Man did. He became a slave—both to God and man.

Philippians 2:5-11
Excerpted from: The Paradox of Terror and Rejoicing

This is about the humbled and exalted Christ.

Throughout eternity, Christ is in the form of God. He was God the Son in the bosom of the Father from all eternity. But Paul tells us that He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. This means that He recognized that He had given up something very important to Him—His equality with God.

But He willingly humbled Himself, He divested Himself of those signs of His eternal glory, and He entered this world of sin and shame in the likeness of man, in the form of a man. This is entirely beyond fully understanding; as Paul says, it is the love of Christ which passes knowledge. He deliberately chose not to cling to what He had the right to keep, but instead humbled Himself, took on human nature, and lived as a man in this world.

Philippians 2:5-11
Excerpted from: Faithful Travelers on a Spiritual Journey

So this U-shaped pattern is ironically illustrated in the story of Christ, the Deliverer, because Jesus the Deliverer must dive into the depths of human difficulty to bring human victims to new life in God's Kingdom. He has experienced what we experienced and He knows how to get us through. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul emphasizes that Christ Jesus descended, from being in the form of God and equal with God, to taking on human likeness and servitude, even to the point of suffering the terrible death on the cross, and then He was highly exalted to universal Lordship.

Philippians 2:5-11
Excerpted from: Government (Part Seven)

That is the practical application of Philippians 2:5-11. That is what Paul was leading to (only on a much grander scale), when he said "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself." He did not think it a big thing that He should be equal with God! He did not grasp at it. He let it go. He humbled Himself. "Therefore, (Paul says) He has received the highest of exaltation."

Philippians 2:7-9
Excerpted from: Government (Part Five)

He didn't grasp at it! He voluntarily gave it up.

Because He met the primary qualifications to be a ruler in the Kingdom of God—in that He proved Himself governable. He lived within the limits. He gave up control of His life—completely, and totally, to His Father.

Philippians 2:3-8
Excerpted from: Children of the Light

So you see, these character traits that we are looking at here is the very holy and righteous nature of Jesus Christ. It is what God is creating in us, right? We are being created in His likeness. Mr. Armstrong used to always say that God is building holy and righteous character in us.

Articles
Before Honor Is Humility: The Story of Andrew
Discouraged? Why?
Power Belongs to God (Part Two)
The Eighth Commandment
The First Prophecy (Part One)
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Two): The Burnt Offering
The Spiritual Hard Hat Zone

Bible Questions & Answers
Why Is Jesus Called 'Son of Man' (Mark 2:28)?

Bible Studies
Meekness
Parable of the Good Shepherd (Part One)

Essays
Deep Thinkers
The Perfection of Imperfection (Part Two)

Sermons
Offerings (Part One)
In The Likeness of Men!
In The Likeness of Men!
In The Likeness of Men!
Psalms: Book One (Part Five)
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Offerings (Part Two)
What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?
Matthew (Part Thirty)
Faithful Stephen
The Epistles of II and III John (Part Two)
The Plan of Salvation in Genesis 3:15
What's Your Attitude?
The Spirit of Bondage
I Never Knew You
Seeking God's Will (Part Six): Forethought
Seeking God's Will (Part Four): Sacrifice
The Love of Christ
Forgiving, Giving, and Living
Jesus in the Feasts (Part Four): Atonement
What if You Are Betrayed?
Purpose-Driven Acts of Conciliation
Running God's Marathon With Christ
Unity and Godly Diversity in One Body
Jesus on His Second Coming
God Is Not a Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part One)
Troubling the Household of God
Life Is Service (Part One)
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Three)
After the Resurrection
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part One)
Control and Self-Control
Satan, Division, and Humility
The Third Day (Part Two)
Pentecost - The Beginning - All in All
Without Me, Nothing! (Part Two)
Potential for Good
New Covenant Priesthood (Part 5)
The Consequences of Affluence
Countering Presumptuousness
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 2)
Knowing Christ (Part 2)
Faith (Part Seven)
Are You Living An Illusion?
WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?
The Need to Escape and Be Rescued
'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation
Pioneers: Our Job Is the Journey
A Name's Significance
Those Best Prepared to Suffer with Him
Christ Coming in the Flesh
The Christian Walk (Part Four): Mutual Submission in Godly Fear
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part Three)
The Problem with Pride
Jesus Is God
Wilderness Wandering (Part 5)
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part 6)
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part 1)
What Is 'Son of God'?
The True Savior of the World!
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part 6)
The Eighth Commandment
A Sacrifice Is An Investment
A Son Is Given
Wilderness Wandering (Part 5)
Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 3)
God Gives Grace to the Humble
Testing the Spirits (Part 2)
John (Part 19)
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
God Alone Can See
Be Kindly Affectionate
Authority: Why So Many Resent It

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