The Mindset of Christ: Unity, Humility, and Exaltation in Philippians 2

Posted on by Gael Gohoungo, MDiv.

The Christ hymn in Philippians 2:1–11 offers a vivid theological portrait of Jesus’ humility and exaltation. Written to a persecuted and faithful community in Philippi—a Roman colony with strong nationalist identity—Paul exhorts believers to embrace the mindset of Christ, who exemplified unity, servanthood, and sacrificial obedience. His appeal is intensely practical: imitate Christ’s humility so that the Church may thrive even in hostile conditions.

Literary and Historical Context ️

Paul, writing from prison—likely in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30–31)—addresses the first European church he founded (Acts 16:12–40). Philippi’s allegiance to Caesar clashed with Christian confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior (Phil. 1:29). Paul’s identification as a δοῦλος (“slave”) instead of “apostle” (Phil. 1:1) sets the stage for his exaltation of Christ’s self-humbling servanthood.

His purpose is multifaceted: thanking the Philippians for their support (Phil. 4:15), encouraging resilience in suffering (Phil. 1:28–30), and preparing them for visits from Timothy and Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:19–30).¹ Philippians 2, framed as a poetic hymn, distills the letter’s Christological core: Jesus’ descent from divine glory into human suffering, followed by His exaltation.

Unity and Humility: Paul’s Appeal (Phil. 2:1–4)

Paul begins with four rhetorical “if” statements (Phil. 2:1), urging believers to live in spiritual unity. This includes:

  • Being like-minded (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε)
  • Having the same love
  • Being one in spirit (σύμψυχοι)
  • Having one purpose (τὸ ἓν φρονοῦντες)

Unity, according to Paul, requires rejecting selfish ambition (ἐριθεία) and vain conceit (κενοδοξία).² These qualities fracture fellowship and contradict Christ’s example. Instead, believers must “in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3).

Christ’s Mindset: Humility and Incarnation (Phil. 2:5–8) ️

Verses 5–8 shift from exhortation to Christological illustration. Jesus, though “in very nature God” (ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ), did not grasp equality with God, but emptied Himself (ἐκένωσεν), taking the form of a slave (μορφὴν δούλου).³

The passage echoes John 1:14 and Rom. 8:3, emphasizing Jesus’ real humanity: “in human likeness” and “found in appearance as a man.”⁴ The hymn’s poetic structure unfolds in strophes:

  1. Pre-existent glory
  2. Voluntary self-emptying
  3. Servant obedience unto death
  4. Divine exaltation
  5. Universal worship⁵

Jesus’ obedience led to a criminal’s death on a cross—an act of profound humiliation in Roman society.⁶ Yet, it was through this act that He reconciled humanity to God.

Exaltation and Glory (Phil. 2:9–11)

God responds to Christ’s self-humbling by “highly exalting” Him (ὑπερυψόω) and giving Him “the name above every name.”⁷ This reflects a return to His pre-incarnate glory (Eph. 1:20; Ps. 110:1) and anticipates universal worship (Rev. 5:11–12). Every knee will bow—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (κύριος), to the glory of God the Father.

Word Study: Koinōnia (κοινωνία)

Paul’s use of κοινωνία (“fellowship”) in Philippians draws from sacrificial and covenantal contexts in the Old Testament (Exod. 20:24; Lev. 3:1).⁸ Originally denoting peace offerings and alliance with Yahweh, it later signified spiritual communion in the Spirit and mutual partnership in faith. In Phil. 2:1, Paul invokes κοινωνία to highlight deep unity amid suffering.

Application: Living the Mind of Christ

Philippians 2 invites Christians into a life of humility, sacrifice, and spiritual unity. Jesus’ self-emptying and servanthood challenge modern leadership paradigms and personal ambition. In persecuted contexts, such as Islamic or animist cultures, unity with fellow believers and fellowship with the Holy Spirit strengthen the Church’s witness.

To follow Christ is to serve others selflessly. Leaders must descend from positions of comfort and engage with those in need. Jesus’ humiliation led to glory—our sacrificial obedience will also be honored by God.

References

  1. Walter A. Elwell, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, 3rd ed. (WordSearch, 2019), 295–296.
  2. Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1999).
  3. Grant R. Osborne, Philippians Verse by Verse (Lexham Press, 2017), 88–90.
  4. John MacArthur, Philippians: MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2001), 95.
  5. Osborne, Philippians, 91–92.
  6. Anders, Holman Commentary.
  7. Osborne, Philippians, 95.
  8. W.H. Harris et al., Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012); R. Whitaker et al., Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1906).

Bibliography

Anders, Max. Holman New Testament Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1999.

Elwell, Walter A. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. 3rd ed. WordSearch Bible, 2019.

Harris, W.H., III, et al., eds. Lexham English Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.

MacArthur, John. Philippians: MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2001.

Osborne, Grant R. Philippians Verse by Verse. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.

Whitaker, R., Brown, F., Driver, S.R., and Briggs, C.A. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1906.

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