lectionary.com

Holy Week · Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) · Year B

Philippians 2:5-11

Imitating Christ’s Humility

March 21, 2027

The Washing of the Feet, Giotto di Bondone
The Washing of the Feet, Giotto di Bondone, c. 1305Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
The disciples seated in a row under a blue sky, Peter leaning forward with his hand to his head, and Christ down on the floor with the basin.He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Giotto di BondoneGiotto, in the chapel at Padua, where he gave every figure weight and made them look at one another.Scrovegni Chapel, PaduaThe Scrovegni Chapel, Padua.Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMark 14:1-15:47Mk 14:1-15:47Alt. GospelMark 15:1-47Mk 15:1-47Alt. GospelJohn 12:12-19Jn 12:12-19Alt. GospelJohn 12:20-43Jn 12:20-43
EpistlePhil. 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11
Old TestamentZech. 9:9-12Zec 9:9-12
PsalterPs. 118:19-29Ps 118:19-29Alt. PsalmPs. 31:9-16Ps 31:9-16

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.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Philippians 2:5-11

Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Philippians Chapter 2Enduring Word Bible Commentary Phil Chapter 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on the Christ-hymn of self-emptying humility and exaltation.

Philippians 2:5 CommentariesPhil 2:5 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic verse-by-verse commentaries on the kenosis hymn.

Commentary on Philippians 2:5-11 - Working PreacherCommentary on Phil 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 PreachingPhil 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 InterlinearPhil 2:5 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek-English interlinear (morphe, kenoo, harpagmos) for the hymn.

Book of Philippians Summary (Overview Video)Book of Phil Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject

Animated overview of the letter's structure and message of joy in Christ.

The Church Fathers

Philippians 2 - Catena Bible & CommentariesPhil 2 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Church Fathers on the self-emptying and exaltation of Christ.

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.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Mark 14:1-15:47
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.