Philippians 2:5–11 Meaning: The Mind of Christ and His Exaltation

5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5–11, World English Bible Updated (WEBU)

Philippians 2:5–11 is memorable enough to be quoted on its own, yet its full force appears only inside the passage that gives it shape. This guide examines “The Mind of Christ and His Exaltation” without turning the verse into a slogan.

The central subject is the mind of Christ and his exaltation. The explanation below follows the movement from the verse itself to its context, historic Christian readings, responsible present-day use, and related passages.

Philippians 2:5–11 meaning in simple terms

Paul presents Christ’s movement from divine status through servant obedience and death on a cross to exaltation, calling the church to a shared pattern of humble self-giving.

Christ’s self-emptying does not mean he ceased to be divine or surrendered moral agency. The passage describes how divine glory is revealed through non-exploitative love.

Philippians 2:5–11 in its biblical context

The poetic passage supports Paul’s appeal for unity and concern for others. Jesus’ story moves downward in status and upward through God’s exaltation, ending with universal confession that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Father’s glory.

This setting controls the interpretation. Philippians 2:5–11 should be read with the argument around it: the verse answers a concrete pastoral or theological need, and its promise or command takes its boundaries from that larger movement.

Key words and phrases in Philippians 2:5–11

“Existing in the form of God”

The opening identifies a real divine status. The surprise lies in what Christ does with it.

“Emptied himself”

The following participles explain the emptying: taking servant form, becoming human, and obeying. It is addition of humble service, not subtraction of deity.

“Every knee should bow”

The language echoes Isaiah’s worship of the Lord and gives Jesus universal lordship, while the confession glorifies the Father.

How Christian interpreters read Philippians 2:5–11

John Chrysostom: equality is not used for selfish advantage

Chrysostom uses Christ’s voluntary descent against rivalry, emphasizing that genuine greatness can stoop without fear of losing worth. The summary is based on the public commentary record available in John Chrysostom and the collected classic commentaries on Philippians 2:5–11.

The value of this reading is its emphasis on equality is not used for selfish advantage. It helps keep the explanation connected to the passage rather than using the verse as an isolated statement for a different subject.

John Calvin: the two states reveal one obedient Christ

Calvin distinguishes humiliation and exaltation while keeping the same divine Son acting through a true human life and death. The summary is based on the public commentary record available in John Calvin and the collected classic commentaries on Philippians 2:5–11.

The value of this reading is its emphasis on the two states reveal one obedient Christ. It helps keep the explanation connected to the passage rather than using the verse as an isolated statement for a different subject.

Pope Benedict XVI: divine power is revealed as self-giving love

Deus Caritas Est presents the cross as the radical form of God’s love, where divine action is not self-protection but gift, a pattern that reshapes Christian service. Read Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est.

Where these interpretations agree—and where they differ

John Chrysostom foregrounds equality is not used for selfish advantage; John Calvin places greater weight on the two states reveal one obedient Christ. These are complementary emphases rather than competing meanings: both readings remain accountable to the passage’s setting and to the article’s central explanation: Paul presents Christ’s movement from divine status through servant obedience and death on a cross to exaltation, calling the church to a shared pattern of humble self-giving. Pope Benedict XVI extends the comparison toward divine power is revealed as self-giving love. That modern application is useful when it is allowed to build on, rather than replace, the verse’s historical and literary context.

Why Philippians 2:5–11 matters today

The passage challenges leaders to use status and expertise for service rather than self-protection or forced admiration.

Self-emptying is voluntary love shaped by vocation, not a demand that vulnerable people accept exploitation from the powerful.

The universal confession gives hope that domination and shame do not have the final word; the crucified servant is Lord.

Common misunderstandings about Philippians 2:5–11

Jesus stopped being God. The emptying is explained through taking servant form and human likeness, not abandoning divine identity.
Humility means surrendering all authority. Christ’s humble obedience reveals the right use of authority and leads to universal lordship.
The passage is only abstract doctrine. Paul introduces it as the mindset needed for concrete unity and neighbor concern.

Translation differences in Philippians 2:5–11

“Something to be grasped” or “used to his own advantage”

The rare Greek noun harpagmos may describe something seized or something exploited. Modern renderings often stress that Christ did not use equality with God for self-advantage, fitting the passage’s ethical contrast.

Related Bible verses

Philippians 2:3–4: Paul calls the church to reject rivalry and empty glory, practice humility, and attend seriously to the interests of others as well as their own. This passage connects through the theme of christ.
Philippians 3:14: Paul continues toward the goal of complete participation in Christ and the resurrection, responding to Christ’s prior grasp on him rather than claiming spiritual arrival. This passage connects through the theme of christ.
Ephesians 5:25: Christian husbands are commanded to love their wives according to Christ’s self-giving love for the church, a standard that overturns domination and makes power responsible for another’s holy good. This passage connects through the theme of christ.
Colossians 3:15: Paul calls Christ’s peace to act as the deciding influence in believers’ hearts because they were called into one body, and he joins that peace with gratitude. This passage connects through the theme of christ.
Ephesians 4:2–3: The church protects Spirit-given unity through humility, gentleness, patient endurance, and loving forbearance with one another. This passage connects through the theme of humility.

Explore further studies in the Bible Verse Explanations collection.

Sources

Disclaimer

BibleTop100 is an independent educational website. This article explains the biblical text and summarizes selected, sourced Christian interpretations; it does not claim that every Christian tradition understands every phrase in exactly the same way. Readers are encouraged to examine the complete passage and consult trusted clergy, teachers, or resources from their own faith tradition.