Meaning of Philippians 2:6

This verse, Philippians 2:6, speaks to the profound humility and self-emptying nature of Jesus Christ. The phrase "Who, being in very nature God" establishes Jesus' divine identity and equality with God the Father from the outset. However, instead of asserting this inherent right and privilege, the verse emphasizes that he "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage." This signifies a voluntary relinquishment of his divine prerogatives for the sake of humanity. It is not that Jesus was less than God, but rather that he chose not to leverage his divine status for personal gain or to avoid suffering. His "equality with God" was his inherent being, not a position he sought to exploit.

Context and Background

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison, likely in Rome, around AD 60-62. The Philippian church was a community with whom Paul had a particularly strong and affectionate relationship. In this section of the letter (Philippians 2:1-11), Paul urges the believers to live in unity and humility, using the example of Christ's own selfless attitude as the ultimate model. He is encouraging them to overcome internal divisions and self-promotion by looking to the one who, despite his divine nature, stooped to serve. The preceding verses (2:1-5) explicitly call for unity, mutual love, and looking out for the interests of others, setting the stage for the magnificent portrayal of Christ's humility that follows.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are divine equality, voluntary humility, and self-renunciation. Jesus, fully God, did not cling to his divine status as a tool for self-aggrandizement. This was not a loss of divinity but a strategic withholding of its full expression for a greater purpose. The phrase "something to be grasped" or "clung to" (depending on translation) highlights the intentionality of his action. He could have maintained his full divine status and privileges, but he chose not to. This is the essence of his Incarnation and subsequent sacrificial life and death.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in providing the supreme example of Christian conduct. Believers are called to emulate Christ's humility. This means not asserting one's rights or status in a way that harms or disregards others, but rather being willing to humble oneself for the sake of unity, peace, and the well-being of the community and the world. It challenges self-centeredness and pride, urging believers to adopt a servant-hearted attitude, prioritizing the needs of others above their own perceived advantages.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal explanation of the Incarnation and the Christological identity of Jesus. It bridges the Old Testament prophecies of a divine Messiah with the New Testament reality of God becoming flesh. It underpins the entire salvific work of Christ, as his willingness to humble himself was a prerequisite for his atoning sacrifice on the cross. Without this voluntary self-emptying, his suffering and death would not have the redemptive power that the New Testament proclaims. It is a cornerstone of Christian theology, explaining how God could save humanity through the person of Jesus.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a king who, despite his royal prerogative, chooses to live among his subjects in disguise and serve them without revealing his identity, purely for their benefit. He doesn't use his royal authority to demand special treatment or avoid hardship; instead, he embraces the challenges of ordinary life to understand and help his people. Another analogy is a brilliant scientist who possesses the knowledge to solve global problems instantly but chooses to work patiently alongside others, sharing his knowledge incrementally, so they can learn and grow, rather than simply imposing a solution from on high.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is intimately connected with several other key passages:

• John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This establishes Jesus' pre-incarnate divine nature and his subsequent Incarnation.
• Colossians 1:15-17: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This further elaborates on Christ's preeminence and divine role in creation.
• Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This directly echoes the theme of service and self-sacrifice that stems from Christ's humility.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, that you by his poverty might become rich." This verse beautifully parallels the concept of Christ giving up his divine riches and privileges.
• Philippians 2:7-8: These verses immediately follow, describing how he did not use his equality to his advantage: "but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." This clarifies the practical outworking of the principle stated in verse 6.