[Note: This is Part 4 of a 6-part series looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians.]

In the previous post, we saw that suffering is not a setback—it can be a platform for the gospel. Paul’s chains advanced the gospel, his perspective on life and death revealed a heart captivated by Christ, and his call to the Philippians was to live worthy of the gospel in the face of opposition. Now, in chapter 2, Paul turns to the very heart of gospel living: the mindset of Christ.

The mind of Christ—self-emptying humility—shapes gospel living.

The Call to Unity Through Humility (2:1-4)

Paul begins this chapter with a passionate appeal: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (2:1-2). The word “if” here is not expressing doubt; it’s better understood as “since.” Paul is building his case on things that are already true: there is encouragement in Christ, there is comfort from love, there is participation in the Spirit.

Given these realities, Paul’s request is clear: “complete my joy by being of the same mind.” Unity is not optional for the church; it is the natural outworking of the gospel. Notice Paul doesn’t say “have the same opinions” or “agree on everything.” He calls them to be “of the same mind,” to have “the same love,” to be “in full accord.” This is a unity of heart and purpose, not uniformity of thought on every detail.

But how is this unity achieved? Paul explains: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (2:3-4). Unity flows from humility. When believers are driven by selfish ambition—the desire to promote themselves, to be seen as important, to have their own way—unity fractures. When they operate in humility—considering others more significant, looking to the interests of others—unity flourishes.

The word “humility” (tapeinophrosynē) was not a virtue in the Greco-Roman world. It was associated with weakness and lowliness. But the gospel transforms this concept. In Christ, humility becomes the pathway to true greatness. And Paul is about to show them the ultimate example of this gospel humility.

Christ’s Example: The Hymn of Philippians 2:5-11

Paul now presents what many scholars believe to be an early Christian hymn, a poetic description of Christ’s incarnation and exaltation. It is one of the most profound passages in all of Scripture:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (2:5-11)

This passage is breathtaking in its scope and depth. Let’s look at it carefully:

The Pre-Incarnate Christ (2:6)

Paul begins by affirming Christ’s deity: He “was in the form of God.” The word “form” (morphē) refers to the essential nature or character of something. Jesus possessed the very nature of God. He was equal with God—not a created being, not a lesser deity, but fully God. Yet Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (or “held onto”). This phrase has been debated, but the sense seems to be that Jesus did not regard His divine privileges as something to be exploited or clung to for His own advantage. Unlike Adam, who grasped at equality with God (Gen. 3:5), Jesus—though truly equal with God—did not use His divine status for selfish gain.

The Incarnation and Humiliation (2:7-8)

Instead, Jesus “emptied himself.” This phrase (ekenōsen) has led to much theological discussion. What did Jesus empty Himself of? Not His deity—He remained fully God. Rather, He emptied Himself of the privileges and prerogatives of deity. He laid aside His divine glory, His heavenly status, His right to be served and worshiped.

How did He empty Himself? “By taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Notice the word “form” (morphē) appears again. Just as Jesus possessed the very nature of God, He took on the very nature of a servant (doulos, slave). This was not playacting or pretense. The eternal Son of God truly became human, taking on human flesh, human limitations, human vulnerability.But Jesus didn’t stop there. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The incarnation itself was an act of humility—God becoming man. But Jesus went further: He humbled Himself to the point of death. And not just any death, but death on a cross—the most shameful, degrading, and cursed form of execution in the Roman world (see Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13).

This is the downward movement of Christ: from the throne of heaven to a manger in Bethlehem, from divine glory to human flesh, from the worship of angels to the mockery of men, from life to death, from honor to shame. This is what Paul means by “self-emptying humility.”

The Exaltation (2:9-11)

“Therefore”—because of Christ’s obedience and humility—”God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” The humiliation leads to exaltation. The one who descended to the lowest place has been raised to the highest place. God has given Jesus “the name that is above every name”—likely a reference to the divine name, Yahweh.

The result: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This is an echo of Isaiah 45:23, where God declares that every knee will bow to Him alone. Paul applies this to Jesus, affirming His deity and universal lordship. Every created being—angels, humans, demons—will one day acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Some will do so joyfully; others will do so in defeat. But all will bow.

Notice the goal: “to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus’ exaltation does not compete with the Father’s glory; it magnifies it. The Son’s glory is the Father’s glory.

The Call: Have This Mind (2:5, 12-18)

Paul didn’t include this hymn merely for theological instruction (though it is theologically rich). He included it to shape how the Philippians live. Notice verse 5: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” The mindset of Christ—self-emptying humility, putting others first, obedience even unto death—is to be the mindset of believers.

Paul continues: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (2:12-13).

This passage is sometimes misunderstood. Paul is not saying we work for our salvation (as if it’s earned). He’s saying we work out what God has worked in. God is at work in us—giving us both the desire and the ability to do His will. Our responsibility is to cooperate with that work, to live out the salvation we have received. The phrase “fear and trembling” conveys a sense of reverence and seriousness—we recognize the magnitude of what God is doing.

How does this work itself out? “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (2:14-16a). Gospel living—shaped by Christ’s humility—looks like this: no complaining, no arguing, shining as lights in the darkness, holding fast to the gospel.

Paul concludes this section with a reference to his own potential martyrdom: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me” (2:17-18). Paul is willing to die as a sacrifice for the sake of the Philippians’ faith. And rather than mourning, there should be rejoicing—because this is what gospel living looks like.

Real-Life Models: Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)

Paul doesn’t leave the Philippians with only the supreme example of Christ. He also points to two men who embody this gospel mindset: Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Timothy: A Man of Genuine Concern (2:19-24)

Paul writes: “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel” (2:19-22).

What sets Timothy apart? He is “genuinely concerned” for the welfare of others. Unlike those who “seek their own interests,” Timothy seeks the interests of Christ and the church. He has “proven worth”—not just good intentions, but a track record of faithful service. He has served alongside Paul “as a son with a father”—a beautiful picture of gospel partnership and discipleship.

Paul hopes to send Timothy soon, and he trusts in the Lord that he himself will come also (2:23-24). Timothy is a living example of the mindset of Christ: self-giving, others-focused, faithful in service.

Epaphroditus: A Man of Sacrificial Service (2:25-30)

Paul then turns to Epaphroditus: “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (2:25-27).

Epaphroditus is described with multiple titles: brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, minister. These terms reveal a man deeply committed to the gospel and to serving others. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift and to assist him in his imprisonment. But Epaphroditus became seriously ill—”near to death”—likely as a result of his service to Paul.

Paul explains Epaphroditus’ distress: he was worried not about his own condition, but about the Philippians hearing of his illness and being concerned. This is the mindset of Christ—more concerned about others than about self.

Paul urges the Philippians: “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (2:29-30). Epaphroditus risked his life for the gospel. He embodies the self-sacrificing humility that Paul has been describing throughout the chapter.

Application: Living with the Mind of Christ

What does this passage teach us about gospel living? Three key lessons emerge:

1. Humility Is Not Weakness—It’s the Path to True Greatness

The world tells us to promote ourselves, to fight for our rights, to look out for number one. The gospel tells us something radically different: humble yourself, put others first, give yourself away. This is not weakness; this is the path that Jesus Himself walked. And it led to His exaltation.

The same pattern holds for us. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). When we humble ourselves, when we take the low place, when we serve others sacrificially, we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. And just as His humiliation led to exaltation, so our faithful, humble service will be honored by God—if not in this life, then in the life to come.

2. The Mind of Christ Must Shape Every Area of Life

Paul doesn’t call the Philippians to admire Christ’s humility; he calls them to “have this mind” (2:5). The mindset of Christ is to become our mindset. This means:

• In our relationships: counting others more significant than ourselves (2:3)
• In our speech: doing all things without grumbling or disputing (2:14)
• In our service: looking to the interests of others, not just our own (2:4)
• In our suffering: rejoicing even when poured out as a drink offering (2:17)

This is not natural. It goes against every instinct of our flesh. But it is the life to which we are called. And it is only possible as God works in us “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (2:13).

3. We Need Living Examples of Gospel Humility

Paul points to Timothy and Epaphroditus because the Philippians need to see what gospel living looks like in real people. These men are not perfect, but they are genuine examples of those who have embraced the mind of Christ.

Who are the Timothys and Epaphroditus in your life? Who are the people genuinely concerned for your welfare, not seeking their own interests? Who are those risking their lives for the work of Christ? We need these examples. We need to see gospel humility embodied in flesh and blood. And just as importantly: Are you that kind of example for others? Are you living in such a way that someone could point to you and say, “There—that’s what the mind of Christ looks like”?

The gospel doesn’t just save us from sin; it transforms how we think, how we relate, and how we live. The mind of Christ—self-emptying humility, sacrificial service, others-focused love—is to become our mind. This is not merely aspirational; it is the very essence of gospel living.

In the next post, we’ll explore Phil. 3, where Paul warns against false gospels and calls believers to press on toward the goal of knowing Christ fully.