“The Exploring Philippians” event with N.T. Wright was organized by Admirato.org.
6 Who, though in God’s form, did not regard his equality with God as something he ought to exploit. 7 Instead, he emptied himself, and received the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of humans. And then, having human appearance,8 he humbled himself, and became obedient even to death, yes, even the death of the cross. 9 And so God has greatly exalted him, and to him in his favor has given the name which is over all names: 10 That now at the name of Jesus every knee within heaven shall bow— on earth, too, and under the earth;11 And every tongue shall confess that Jesus, Messiah, is Lord, to the glory of God, the father.
– Philippians 2:6-11
Many scholars think Paul may be quoting an earlier writing that he was quoting.
Some think Paul may be quoting himself from an earlier writing.
It fits so perfectly that it may have been written by Paul for this letter in hopes it would be memorized by his recipients. This would help Christ-followers know what to think AND how to think.
Prose poems were quite common in that time and culture as a way to honor people who should receive high regard.
Poetry is like music and allows one to communicate more than simple prose can do.
The Creator God is remaking his world with beauty which would include music, poetry, and art.
There are 6 stanzas with 3 lines each with 1 line in the middle so that it should be organized like this:
6 Who, though in God’s form, did not regard his equality with God as something he ought to exploit.
7 Instead, he emptied himself, and received the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of humans.
And then, having human appearance,8 he humbled himself, and became obedient even to death,
yes, even the death of the cross.
9 And so God has greatly exalted him, and to him in his favor has given the name which is over all names:
10 That now at the name of Jesus every knee within heaven shall bow— on earth, too, and under the earth;
11 And every tongue shall confess that Jesus, Messiah, is Lord, to the glory of God, the father.
Jesus demonstrates God’s self-giving love by dying on the cross.
We see how Jesus was thinking.
Phil. 2:6-8 – we can have one mind when we think like this. We are in the Messiah and this is his thought pattern.
Phil. 2:5 is literally: “Think this thing in you”
We are to think with humility and hope which is extraordinarily counter cultural.
1 Corinthians 15, Romans 5, and Romans 8 all reference Adam with Jesus being the “new Adam” who inaugurates the new Kingdom and reignites our calling to be co-laborers with God.
Western theology still has wounds from the Deism of the 1800s. As a result, we have tended to emphasize his divinity but downplayed his humanity.
Isaiah 40-55 is a major theme found in this poem. The God who will not share His glory has shared His glory with Jesus. Paul doesn’t explain how this works. Instead He simply affirms this Truth. Philippians 2:10-11 quotes Isaiah 45:23, using a similar structure to declare “That now at the name of Jesus every knee within heaven shall bow— on earth, too, and under the earth; And every tongue shall confess that Jesus, Messiah, is Lord, to the glory of God, the father.”
The Messiah is God’s powerful arm to redeem His people.
The Messiah is God’s unique self-expression.
God created humans to be His royal priesthood so that He can come to be the Priest for all of us. Remember, Abraham and his family were to be the rescuers of all the nations. God did not give up on His plan when Abraham’s family failed. His plan was fulfilled through Jesus.
Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 both refer to a “son of God” which we now know is the Messiah.
Paul is saying: “Now you must learn to think as burning bush people as you interact with the Pharaoh’s of this world.”
We are to be genuinely united and holy for that is what will get the attention of the Pharaoh’s of this world.
Caesar’s propaganda is a fake copy. He was not a “son of God” nor divine nor worthy of worship.
Jesus absolutely is the one true Son of God, divine, and worthy of worship! He alone deserves honor.
Slaves were at the bottom of the social order. Badly behaved slaves faced crucifixion.
Paul is saying that God took on the lowest of the lows because of His love for us. Because he was willing to be dishonored, He deserves all of our honor.
“Differentiated monotheism” = “a term that describes the belief in a single God while also acknowledging multiple divine figures or forms that are seen as emanations or aspects of that one God.” An example would be the way Paul included Jesus in the Shema prayer.
Jesus is Lord so from his throne eternal He might reign over His Kingdom!
God did not send someone else to take the rap for our sin. God came for us!
The higher the Christology the more you realize we need to proclaim He is the One Lord in a world with others vying to be lords.
Paul tells what Jesus thinks by sharing with us what Jesus did not think.
Jesus “did not regard his equality with God as something he ought to exploit.“
Possible interpretations:
Jesus stopped being God to come to rescue us.
Jesus was not equal with God until His death.
Jesus did not consider His equality with God to be exploited or to be used to avoid suffering.
Is my vision of God more like Caesar or more like Jesus?
Jesus did not give up being God. He gave up His status as God to be a slave.
Jesus was thoroughly human and died a human death. His human role was vital. He accomplishes what only a human can have accomplished.
He reverses Adam’s disobedience and steps into the original human vocation as a co-ruler with God, a royal priest.
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” – Romans 5:18
Jesus was the human embodiment of Yahweh, and He died on the cross.
God made us in His own image so that He can come be with us as a human. He took upon Himself the chaos of this broken world. He took responsibility for bringing healing and redemption.
Paul doesn’t include all of our theology in this poem. He doesn’t mention the resurrection, but it is implied as Jesus is now given the authority to rule. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He didn’t say: “All authority in heaven and on earth will be given to me.” He already has the authority now!
When people complain that the world doesn’t look like Jesus is reigning, it is because they are looking in the wrong direction. He is not an ordinary earthly monarch! He reigns over the invisible Kingdom of God! Jesus’ divinity brings the broken world back into balance.
Remember the poem is written to help us to know how to think.
We need to pursue unity and holiness to show the world that a new way of being human has been launched!
When leaders try to do the Caesar thing, you don’t get unity or holiness but division and corruption.
“The name” going around Philippi was Caesar, but he really had not brought peace and security as promised.
“The Name of Jesus” actually does bring eternal peace and security!
Jesus Messiah is Lord!
As followers of Jesus we are committed to live out this reality publicly.
When God inaugurates His Kingdom, He doesn’t send in the tanks! He sends His people to build schools, orphanages, hospitals, and so on.
Jesus doesn’t replace Caesars. He redefines Lordship and what it means to be One who Rules.
As His followers we are to go out bringing His Kingdom to our dark world!
We glorify the Father by confessing allegiance to the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is who we are to be to a watching world!
