Holy Week · The Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday)
Philippians 2:5-11
Imitating Christ’s Humility
March 29, 2026
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
Commentary on Philippians 2:5-11 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reads the Christ hymn of self-emptying against the day's mix of palms and passion.
Philippians 2:5-11 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the voluntary humiliation and exaltation of Christ.
Philippians 2 Commentary: Humble Living in Light of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik traces the hymn's descent and exaltation with evangelical application.
Philippians 2:5-7 Commentary Precept Austin
A detailed word study of the mind of Christ and the form of a servant.
Philippians 2:5 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on the call to have the mind that was in Christ Jesus.
Background & Word Study
Philippians - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's overview sets the letter's occasion and the place of the hymn within it.
Philippians Overview BibleProject
An animated summary of the letter's theme of unity through the humility of Christ.
Philippians 2:5 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek interlinear exposes key hymn words like emptied and exalted.
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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