This letter of mutual affection and care between Paul and the church in Philippi is one of Paul’s richest letters. In this letter, we find Paul in prison and the themes of opposition and the fear of death, yet Paul has joy. The church in Philippi is also facing conflict and opposition so Paul hopes to bring them together. The New Oxford Annotated Study Bible relays, “in keeping with that purpose, he uses a hymnic passage that celebrates the self-emptying of Christ even to death, for which God bestowed on him the name of ‘Lord,’ the ‘name above all names’.” Christ and Paul himself are offered as examples of courage within self-surrender when facing suffering and death.
Philippians 2:5-11
“5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Prayer
Gracious Lord, Christ Jesus I am grateful for the transformation you have begun in me as your disciple and Savior. May that peace found in this transformation abide with me by the power of the Holy Spirit now and always, Amen.
