Christ's Humility and Exaltation
Philippians 2:1-11
Phil.2.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ουν: CONJ
- παρακλησις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- παραμυθιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αγαπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- κοινωνια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- σπλαγχνα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- οικτιρμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (verbal): Uses the same lexical field of consolation/encouragement (παρακλήσεως/παραμυθίας): God is 'Father of mercies and God of all comfort' who comforts us, paralleling Paul's appeal to consolation in Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (verbal): Commands believers to 'encourage one another and build each other up' (παρακαλεῖτε), echoing the call to mutual paraklesis/encouragement in Philippians 2:1.
- Ephesians 4:3-4 (thematic): Calls for 'keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace'—thematises fellowship/unity rooted in the Spirit, corresponding to Philippians' 'κοινωνία πνεύματος' (fellowship of the Spirit).
- John 14:16-17 (allusion): Jesus promises the Paraclete (παράκλητον), the Spirit as Helper/Comforter — an implicit link to the themes of encouragement/comfort and the Spirit's role in believers' life in Philippians 2:1.
- Colossians 1:8 (thematic): Paul refers to the Colossians' 'love in the Spirit' (τὴν ἀγάπην ἐν πνεύματι), paralleling Philippians' coupling of love and fellowship of the Spirit (παραμυθιον ἀγάπης; κοινωνία πνεύματος).
Alternative generated candidates
- If there is any encouragement in Christ—any consolation from love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any tender affection and compassion—
- If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,
Phil.2.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πληρωσατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χαραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- φρονητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- συμψυχοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- φρονουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 (verbal): Paul urges believers to 'be perfectly united in mind and thought,' echoing Philippians' call to have the same mind and be of one accord (similar wording about 'same mind' and avoiding divisions).
- Romans 15:5-6 (thematic): Paul prays for unity and concord ('that you may with one mind glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'), reflecting Philippians' emphasis on like-mindedness and unified praise/action.
- Ephesians 4:3-6 (structural): A pastoral appeal to 'preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' and to live as one body/one Spirit/one hope, paralleling Philippians' call to communal unity in love and spirit.
- Colossians 3:14-15 (thematic): Exhorts believers to put on love, which 'binds everything together in perfect unity,' and to let the peace of Christ rule—resonant with Philippians' stress on shared love, one spirit, and unity of mind.
- John 17:21 (allusion): Jesus' prayer 'that they may all be one' anticipates the New Testament theme of spiritual unity that Paul's Philippians 2:2 expresses as like-mindedness, common love, and being of one mind.
Alternative generated candidates
- make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
- make my joy complete: be of the same mind, have the same love, be united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Phil.2.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- κατ᾽εριθειαν: PREP+NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μηδε: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- κενοδοξιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ταπεινοφροσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ηγουμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- υπερεχοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
Parallels
- Romans 12:3 (thematic): Paul's injunction not to think of oneself more highly than one ought parallels the warning against selfish ambition and conceit and promotes sober humility.
- Romans 12:10 (thematic): Calls believers to honor one another and to 'outdo one another in showing honor,' echoing the Philippian demand to regard others as superior to oneself.
- James 3:14-16 (thematic): Condemns bitter jealousy and selfish ambition as sources of disorder and evil deeds, closely related to Paul's prohibition of ἐριθεία and κενοδοξία.
- 1 Peter 5:5 (thematic): Urges believers to clothe themselves with humility, contrasting God's opposition to the proud with his grace to the humble—parallel to the call to humility in Phil 2:3.
- Philippians 2:4 (structural): Immediate context: follows 2:3 by specifying how humility is to be lived—looking to the interests of others rather than only one's own.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility esteem others as more important than yourselves.
- Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phil.2.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- εκαστοι: PRON,nom,sg,m
- σκοπουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ετερων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- εκαστοι: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:24 (verbal): Closely similar wording: urges Christians not to seek their own good but the good of others.
- Galatians 6:2 (thematic): Calls believers to bear one another's burdens—practical mutual care aligned with looking to others' interests.
- Philippians 2:3 (structural): Immediate context: warns against selfish ambition and conceit, preparing the exhortation in v.4 to consider others' interests.
- Mark 12:31 (thematic): “Love your neighbor as yourself” provides the ethical basis for attending to others' needs and interests.
- Matthew 7:12 (thematic): The Golden Rule—treat others as you would want to be treated—implies seeking and promoting others' welfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
- Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phil.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- φρονειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:6-8 (structural): Immediate context: expands what 'mind in Christ Jesus' means by depicting Christ's pre-existence, kenosis (self-emptying), humility, and exaltation — the exemplum for the mind believers are to adopt.
- Romans 15:5 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language about shared mind in Christ (Greek τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ... τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ); a Pauline imperative for unity of mind grounded in Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 2:16 (verbal): Affirms the conviction 'we have the mind of Christ' (ὁ νοῦς τοῦ Χριστοῦ), directly paralleling the idea that Christians are to possess Christ’s mindset.
- Colossians 3:2 (verbal): Commands believers to 'set your minds on things above' (φρονεῖτε ἐπὶ τὰ ἄνω), echoing the Pauline theme of orienting thought/attitude toward Christ and heavenly realities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus:
- Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus,
Phil.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- μορφη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υπαρχων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ουχ: PART,neg
- αρπαγμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ηγησατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ισα: ADJ,acc,pl,neut
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- John 1:1 (verbal): Affirms the preexistence and deity of the Word — parallels Paul’s claim that Christ existed 'in the form of God' (Christ’s divine status).
- Colossians 2:9 (verbal): Declares that 'in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,' echoing the idea of Christ’s possession of divine form/equality with God.
- Hebrews 1:3 (verbal): Describes the Son as the 'radiance of the glory' and 'exact imprint' of God’s nature, paralleling the assertion of Christ’s true divine being.
- Philippians 2:7-8 (structural): Immediate continuation: explains how, though in the form of God, Christ did not cling to equality but 'emptied himself' and became human — a direct development of v.6.
Alternative generated candidates
- who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be exploited,
- who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
Phil.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- εκενωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μορφην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δουλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ομοιωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- γενομενος·και: VERB,aor,mp,ptc,nom,sg,m
- σχηματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ευρεθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Declares the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life—directly parallels taking the form of a servant and self‑emptying service.
- John 1:14 (verbal): “The Word became flesh” parallels the incarnation language of being made in the likeness of men—both describe the Word/Son assuming human nature.
- Romans 8:3 (verbal): Speaks of God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh—echoes the wording and concept of Christ’s taking on human likeness.
- Hebrews 2:14–17 (verbal): Says the Son shared in flesh and blood and was made like his brothers in every respect to redeem them—closely parallels the idea of becoming fully human.
- Isaiah 53:3–7 (thematic): The Suffering Servant motif (despised, afflicted, bearing others’ suffering) provides the OT background for Paul’s depiction of Christ’s humility and servant role.
Alternative generated candidates
- but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Phil.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εταπεινωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υπηκοος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μεχρι: PREP
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- σταυρου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:7-8 (allusion): The Suffering Servant is led like a sheep to slaughter and 'cut off' in death; Paul echoes this motif of humble suffering and vicarious death as fulfillment in Christ.
- Hebrews 5:8-9 (verbal): States that Jesus 'learned obedience' through suffering and, by obedience, was made the source of eternal salvation—directly parallel to 'being obedient to death.'
- John 10:17-18 (thematic): Jesus speaks of laying down his life and taking it up again at the Father's command, highlighting voluntary obedience even unto death, resonating with Philippians' emphasis on obedience in humiliation.
- Romans 5:19 (thematic): Contrasts Adam’s disobedience with Christ’s obedience: through the one man’s obedience many are made righteous—linking Christ’s obedient death to its salvific effect.
Alternative generated candidates
- And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death—even death on a cross.
- And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Phil.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- υπερυψωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εχαρισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- υπερ: PREP
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Eph.1:20-21 (thematic): God raised Christ and seated him at his right hand, far above every rule and authority — echoes divine exaltation and supreme status given to Jesus.
- Acts 2:36 (verbal): Peter proclaims that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, paralleling the idea that God has bestowed on him the highest name/office.
- Heb.2:9 (thematic): Jesus is ‘crowned with glory and honor’ after tasting death for all — another expression of God’s exalting and honoring of the Son.
- Col.1:18 (thematic): Christ is presented as preeminent in all things and head of the church, reflecting the supreme status captured by ‘the name above every name.’
- Matt.28:18 (thematic): Jesus’ claim that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him corresponds to the conferral of ultimate name/authority in Phil.2:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
- Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
Phil.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- γονυ: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- καμψη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- επουρανιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- επιγειων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- καταχθονιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 45:23 (quotation): OT source: God declares 'to me every knee shall bow,' which the NT echoes here to assert universal homage to the Lord.
- Romans 14:11 (quotation): Paul explicitly quotes Isaiah 45:23 ('every knee shall bow...') to make the same point about universal confession—closely parallels Phil 2:10–11.
- Revelation 5:13 (verbal): Depicts every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth (and sea) praising the Lamb—echoes the same cosmic, threefold spatial scope of universal worship.
- Colossians 1:16–20 (thematic): Affirms Christ's lordship over all creation and cosmic reconciliation so that all things are summed up in him—thematic parallel to universal submission expressed in Phil 2:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—
- so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
Phil.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- γλωσσα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εξομολογησηται: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 45:23 (quotation): Philippians 2:10–11 echoes Isaiah’s language about every knee bowing and every tongue confessing; Paul draws on this verse to ascribe universal homage to the Lordship of Christ.
- Romans 14:11 (allusion): Paul uses essentially the same scriptural citation—'every knee shall bow... every tongue confess'—applying it to God's sovereign rule, creating a close verbal and theological parallel to Phil 2:11.
- Romans 10:9-10 (thematic): The confession 'Jesus is Lord' appears as the decisive confessional formula for salvation in Rom 10:9–10, paralleling Phil 2:11’s emphasis on verbal acknowledgement of Christ’s Lordship.
- 1 Corinthians 12:3 (verbal): Paul states that 'no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit,' which directly relates to the verbal confession in Phil 2:11 and underscores its spiritual significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection and compassion,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, united in spirit and purpose.
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.
Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. 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—of those 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.