Philippians 2:5-11 contains what many scholars consider the most theologically dense and poetically beautiful passage in the New Testament — the Christ Hymn. Paul begins with the command that defines Christian ethics: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). The mindset of Christ is not merely an example to admire but a pattern to embody. And what is that mindset? Humility that descends.
The passage describes Christ's pre-existence in stunning terms: "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6). The Greek word harpagmos ("thing to be grasped") suggests something already possessed that one clutches tightly. Christ possessed full equality with God — all the glory, honor, and prerogatives of deity — yet He did not cling to them. This is the opposite of Lucifer's pride, who grasped at equality with God though he did not possess it.
Instead, Christ "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). The Greek word ekenosen ("emptied") gives us the theological term kenosis. Christ did not empty Himself of His deity — He could not cease to be God — but He emptied Himself of the privileges and prerogatives of deity. He voluntarily set aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes to live as a dependent human being, in full submission to the Father.
The descent continues: "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). Each phrase marks a deeper descent: from heaven to earth, from glory to servanthood, from life to death, and not just any death but crucifixion — the most shameful, painful death the ancient world could devise. The Creator submitted to be killed by His creatures. This is humility beyond comprehension.
But the hymn does not end in the grave. "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). The descent was voluntary; the exaltation was the Father's response. This is the gospel pattern: "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Christ did not exalt Himself — He trusted the Father to do it. And the Father did, giving Him the name at which every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The path to glory runs through the valley of humility, and Christ has walked it before us.