Philippians 2
The mind of Christ, who humbled himself
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul urges the church to be united and to put others first, and points them to Jesus, who emptied himself, died on a cross, and was lifted up by God. He reminds them that God is at work in them and tells them to shine like lights in the world. Then he shares his plans to send Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Where it is in the Bible: Philippians 2
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Think of Others | 2:1-4 | Put others ahead of yourselves |
| 2. The Mind of Christ | 2:5-11 | Jesus humbled himself, and God lifted him up |
| 3. Shine Like Stars | 2:12-18 | God works in you, so shine in a dark world |
| 4. Timothy and Epaphroditus | 2:19-30 | Paul's plans for two trusted helpers |
Before You Read
Where we are. This is part 2 of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Paul is in chains, waiting for a trial that could end in his death (1:13, 1:20).
What came before. In chapter 1, Paul told them his chains have helped the good news spread. He is torn between living and dying, but he expects to live and see them again. Then he urged them to stand firm together, without fear (1:27-28).
What's at stake. The church faces people who oppose them from outside (1:28). Paul also wants them united on the inside. Later he asks two women in the church to agree (4:2).
How to read it. The middle of this chapter sounds like a song about Jesus. Many Christians count it among the most important passages in the whole Bible.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Think of Others
Paul begins with "Therefore" (2:1). It points back to what he just said. They are in one struggle together, so they need to be one.
Then he gives four "if" lines. If Christ has encouraged them. If his love has comforted them. If they share in the Spirit. If they have any tenderness and kindness. Paul knows the answer is yes to all four.
Then he asks them to make his joy complete. They can do it by being of one mind, having the same love, and being united in spirit and purpose.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (2:3). Humility means not thinking you are better than other people.
Look out for your own needs, Paul says, but also look out for the needs of others.
Section 2 of 4The Mind of Christ
Then Paul shows them what this looks like. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (2:5).
What comes next sounds like a song or a poem. Many scholars think it may be one of the first Christian hymns.
Jesus existed "in the form of God" (2:6). He was equal with God. But he did not hold on to that for himself.
Instead, he "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness" (2:7). He became a human being.
He humbled himself and obeyed God all the way to death, "even death on a cross" (2:8). The cross was the most shameful death the Romans used.
Then the song turns. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names" (2:9). Exalted means lifted up high.
One day, at the name of Jesus, "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (2:10).
And every tongue will confess "that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:11). Confess here means to say out loud that it's true.
Section 3 of 4Shine Like Stars
"Therefore" again (2:12). They have always obeyed, Paul says, when he was with them. Now that he is away, they should obey even more. "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12).
This doesn't mean they earn their salvation. The very next line says why. "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" (2:13). God gives both the wanting and the doing.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, Paul says.
Then they will be blameless and pure, God's children, in a world that has gone crooked. Among those people, "you shine as lights in the world" (2:15).
They hold out the word of life to others. Then, on the day Christ comes, Paul will be able to be proud that his work with them was not wasted.
Paul pictures his own death. He may be "poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith" (2:17). A drink offering was wine poured out on top of a sacrifice, as a gift to God. This is a comparison. Their faith is like the sacrifice. Paul's life is like the wine poured on top of it.
Even so, Paul is glad and rejoices with them. And they should be glad and rejoice with him.
Section 4 of 4Timothy and Epaphroditus
Now Paul shares his plans. He hopes to send Timothy soon, so Timothy can bring back news of them.
Paul has no one else like Timothy, who truly cares about them. Everyone else looks out for himself, Paul says, and not for Jesus.
They know Timothy. He has served with Paul like a son with his father. Paul will send him as soon as he knows what will happen at his trial. And Paul trusts the Lord that he will come soon himself.
But first, Paul is sending back Epaphroditus. The church had sent him to bring Paul their gift and to help him. Paul calls him "my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier" (2:25).
Epaphroditus is homesick for them. He is upset because they heard he was sick. And he really was sick. He nearly died.
"But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow" (2:27).
So Paul is eager to send him home. The church will rejoice to see him, and Paul will be "less anxious" (2:28).
They should welcome Epaphroditus with great joy and honor people like him. He nearly died doing Christ's work. He risked his life to help Paul in the ways the church couldn't from far away.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Let this mind be in you" (2:5) | Think the way Jesus thought. Put others first, the way he did. |
| "Existing in the form of God" (2:6) | Jesus was God before he was born as a human. |
| "Emptied Himself" (2:7) | Jesus set aside his rights and glory as God to become a servant. He stayed God, and he became human. |
| "Every knee should bow" (2:10) | In Isaiah, God says every knee will bow to him (Isaiah 45:23). Paul says it about Jesus. |
| "Work out your salvation" (2:12) | Live out the salvation God has given you. It doesn't mean earn it. The next verse says God is the one at work (2:13). |
| "You shine as lights in the world" (2:15) | This is a comparison. God's people stand out like stars in a dark sky. |
| "Poured out like a drink offering" (2:17) | This is a comparison. Their faith is like a sacrifice. Paul's life is like the wine poured on top of it. |
Back Then
The cross. The Romans used crucifixion for slaves and the worst criminals. It was a slow and shameful death. (Easton's Bible Dictionary, "Crucifixion")
Drink offerings. A drink offering was wine poured out along with a sacrifice (Numbers 15:5-10).
Messengers. Churches kept in touch by sending trusted people with letters, gifts, and news. Epaphroditus carried the church's gift to Paul (4:18), and Timothy would carry news back to Paul (2:19).
Literal Reader Alert
Do I have to earn my salvation? No. "Work out your salvation" (2:12) means live out what God has already given you. The next verse says, "It is God who works in you" (2:13).
Did Jesus stop being God when he "emptied Himself"? No. Christians confess that Jesus is fully God and fully human. He set aside the glory and rights he had as God, and lived as a servant. Christians have used different words to explain this, and it is a mystery.
Does "consider others more important than yourselves" mean my needs don't matter? No. The next line says to look to your own interests and also to the interests of others (2:4). Putting others first never means letting someone hurt you.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Glad | Even if his life is poured out, "I am glad and rejoice" (2:17) |
| Epaphroditus | Upset | The church heard he was sick (2:26) |
| Paul | Anxious | He'll be "less anxious" once Epaphroditus is home (2:28) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Where are you with other people today? Tap one.
I always have to win
Jesus had every right to hold on to his place, and he let it go for you (2:6-7). You can stop competing. You are already loved.
I feel like nobody really cares
Paul says Timothy "will genuinely care" (2:20). God gives people like that. God himself cares most of all.
I'm worn out from serving
Epaphroditus nearly died serving (2:30). Paul sent him home to rest and be welcomed with joy. Rest is not failure.
I'm trying to earn God's love
You can't, and you don't have to. "It is God who works in you" (2:13).
It's really bad right now
Please tell someone you trust today. In the U.S., call or text 988. If you are in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Outside the U.S., findahelpline.com lists free helplines.
You Might Have Heard
"'Work out your salvation' means it's up to you to stay saved."
What's true: Paul does want them to live out their faith, and to take it seriously (2:12).
What the passage is mainly about: The very next line says "it is God who works in you to will and to act" (2:13). Salvation is God's work, from start to finish (1:6).
Where Jesus is: Jesus did the work of saving us. He humbled himself all the way to the cross (2:8).
Good News
Jesus had more to hold on to than anyone. He was equal with God. And he let it go. He became a servant, and went all the way down to death on a cross, for you (2:6-8).
Then God lifted him up, and gave him the name above every name (2:9).
The same God is at work in you now. "It is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" (2:13). He gives the wanting and the doing.
Jesus went all the way down for you, and God is at work in you.
Big Idea
Jesus humbled himself all the way to the cross, God lifted him up, and God is now at work in us.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In The Freedom of a Christian (1520), Luther used Philippians 2 to explain the Christian life. Christ was free and equal with God, yet he emptied himself and served us. So a Christian, made free by faith, gladly serves the neighbor. Luther wrote, "I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered himself to me."
In Church
Many churches follow a reading plan called the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Philippians 2:5-11 on Palm Sunday every year. It reads Philippians 2:1-13 on a Sunday in the fall of Year A.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus
How did that feel?