Viewpoint Sample
The Example of Christ Phil. 2:1-11
by Dr. Stewart Custer
The Lord Jesus Christ is much more than merely an example for believers. He is the divine Savior who redeemed His people from their sins by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Yet He is a magnificent Example of love, compassion, humility, and other virtues. The apostle Paul is not teaching doctrine in this passage; he is urging proper ethical conduct upon believers. In this regard the Lord Jesus is the perfect Example for us.
The Consolation in Christ vv. 1-4
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" Phil. 2:1-2. There is no question that believers have received great consolation and infinite love in the Lord Jesus Christ. The bond of loving fellowship in the Spirit unites the hearts of believers the world over. In view of this, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to be like-minded, to think the same way, as the Lord Jesus did. We should have the same love toward believers that He did. There should be unity of thinking in the believers. Nothing should be done through strife or vainglory 2:3. The Lord Jesus did not try to impose His will on others; He did his best to help others. Sometimes in church situations there is much that is done through strife, rather than a sweet spirit of love. Believers should rather act in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than themselves 2:3b. In the believer's ethical relationships God must be first, others second, and himself third. Unfortunately, this is rarely what is found. We must be careful not to be selfish, considering our own well-being alone, but rather taking into consideration the needs of others as well 2:4. A selfish Christian is a contradiction in terms. The Lord Jesus always thought of others; so should we.
The Humiliation of Christ vv. 5-8
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" 2:5. We should learn to think the way the Lord Jesus thought. Instead of thinking of His one comfort, He thought of how He could help sinful mankind. Although He was existing in the form of God, He did not think that being equal with God was something He had to keep grasping 2:6. The word "form" refers to an outward form that reflects an inward reality. The Lord Jesus was the divine Son of God, fully equal to the Father. The glory and majesty that He had with the Father, He did not keep grasping, but laid them aside in the incarnation and "took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" 2:7. Instead of appearing as the great King, He came as a Servant to help his people. He was the fulfillment of the "Servant of Jehovah" prophecies, redeeming his people from their sins, a service no other could perform. His outward appearance, "fashion," was that of a mere man 2:8. Thus Paul has given the steps downward in Christ's humiliation. The Lord Jesus Christ could not become less than God; He only put aside His glory. The incarnation did not make Him into a mere man; it added a human nature to his divine nature. He is truly God and truly man. Now the apostle shows us the steps in His exaltation.
The Exaltation of Christ vv. 9-11
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name" 2:9. The word "name" refers to the character of the person himself. In view of his supreme obedience and faithfulness in suffering for His people, God the Father exalted the Lord Jesus above every other person. No one in the universe deserves the honor that the Lord does. The Father has ordained "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" 2:10. All created beings shall bow before the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul specifically includes all the angelic hosts, all on earth, and all in the underworld. All the angels, whether good or evil, shall bow before Him; all men, whether saved or lost, shall bow before Him; all beings in the world to come, whether in heaven or hell, shall bow before Him. The Father has ordained that "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" 2:11. When men worship the Son, they are worshipping the Father as well. How much better for believers that they voluntarily bow before the Lord Jesus Christ and worship Him from the heart.
The apostle Paul has used this exalted theme to emphasize that believers should think the way that the Lord Jesus did v. 5. We, too, should disregard our personal profit and comfort in order to obey God in reaching out to help others. Having opportunities for humble service is far more valuable to believers than having an exalted reputation. If the believer has experienced the comfort of love in Christ v. 1, he should allow that love to flow through him into the lives of all those about him. There is great joy in being able to help one another in the unity of the faith. The fellowship of the saints is living reality for those who think the way the Lord Jesus Christ thinks.