The Mind of Christ: Humility From the Highest Hymn in Philippians 2

Philippians 2 contains one of Scripture’s highest Christological hymns — and Paul’s most searching call to humility.

Christ Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).

Deeper meaning of ‘emptied’

Not that the Son ceased to be God, but that He refused to cling to privilege. He took the form of a servant. The path up is the path down.

Therefore God highly exalted Him (2:9–11). The church’s unity (2:1–4) is patterned on this descent. To “have this mind among yourselves” is to let the cross re-train ambition.

Paul is not merely giving ethics; he is giving a Christ-shaped imagination.