Holy Week · Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) · Year B
Philippians 2:5-11
Imitating Christ’s Humility
March 21, 2027
Overview & Insights
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)
Call for Mutual Consideration Paul’s concern for unity of mind and mutual consideration among the members of the Philippian church need not imply that there was an atmosphere of dissension there. The fact that two members are singled out by name and urged to agree in 4:2 could suggest (unless 4:2 belongs to an originally separate letter) that theirs was an exceptional case of conflict. We do not know what Epaphroditus had told Paul about the state of the church, but at this time Paul found sufficient evidence of quarrelsomeness and selfish ambition in some sectors of the Roman church to make him anxious that nothing of the sort should manifest itself at Philippi.
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Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Philippians Chapter 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on the Christ-hymn of self-emptying humility and exaltation.
Philippians 2:5 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic verse-by-verse commentaries on the kenosis hymn.
Commentary on Philippians 2:5-11 - Working Preacher Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reads the Christ-hymn as the appointed Passion Sunday epistle.
Philippians 2:5-11 Commentary - Center for Excellence in Preaching Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed (CEP) exegesis of kenosis and one of the church's earliest hymns.
Background & Word Study
Philippians 2:5 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear (morphe, kenoo, harpagmos) for the hymn.
Book of Philippians Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject
Animated overview of the letter's structure and message of joy in Christ.
Philippians - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the letter's Philippian setting (background only).
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the Christ hymn?
Philippians 2:6–11 is an early hymn: Christ, being in very nature God, emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and was obedient to death on a cross, and so God exalted him. Paul holds it up as the pattern for humble, self-giving love.
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