Philippians 2:6-8 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:6

Verse 6 6Inasmuch as he was in the form of God. This is not a comparison between things similar, but in the way of greater and less. Christ’s humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: our humility consists in refraining from exalting ourselves by a false estimation. He gave up his right: all that is required of us is, that we do not assume to ourselves more than we ought. Hence he sets out with this — that, inasmuch as he was in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:7

Verse 7 7Emptied himself. This emptying is the same as the abasement, as to which we shall see afterwards. The expression, however, is used, ευμφατικωτέρως, (more emphatically,) to mean, — being brought to nothing. Christ, indeed, could not divest himself of Godhead; but he kept it concealed for a time, that it might not be seen, under the weakness of the flesh. Hence he laid aside his glory in the view of men, not by lessening it, but by concealing it. It is asked, whether he did this as man?... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:8

Verse 8 8He became obedient. Even this was great humility — that from being Lord he became a servant; but he says that he went farther than this, because, while he was not only immortal, but the Lord of life and death, he nevertheless became obedient to his Father, even so far as to endure death. This was extreme abasement, especially when we take into view the kind of death, which he immediately adds, with the view of enhancing it. (110) For by dying in this manner he was not only covered with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-11

Exhortation to unanimity and humility. I. HE APPEALS TO PHILIPPIANS BY FOUR COMMON ELEMENTS IN THEIR COMMON CONFLICT TO FULFIL HIS JOY . 1 . By the comfort there is in Christ. "If there is therefore any comfort in Chris The connecting word has reference to the duty which was enjoined in the twenty-seventh verse of the last chapter, and is again enjoined in the second verse of this chapter. But there is also reference to the circumstances under which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus Christ the supreme Example of humble-mindedness. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ." The exhortation to mutual concord is strengthened by a reference to the example of Christ's humiliation on earth. I. CONSIDER HIS ESSENTIAL PRE - EXISTING GLORY . "Who, subsisting in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God." 1 . This language evidently describes Christ before his incarnation , in his Divine glory ; for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-8

The self-sacrifice of Christ. Paul backs up his appeal for public spirit by the example of Jesus Christ. If the Philippians will only entertain a like mind with Christ, then all needful abnegation for the good of others will be forthcoming, even up to self-sacrifice itself. And here we have to— I. CONSIDER CHRIST 'S EQUALITY WITH GOD . (Verse 6.) The Revised Version puts this verse more accurately than the Authorized Version when it gives it, "Who being in the form of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The example of type Lord Jesus. I. THE IMITATION OF the Lord JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE RULE OF CHRISTIAN PRACTICE . 1 . In the outward life. He pleased not himself; he sought not the high places of the world; he did not choose a life of ease, comfort, pleasure. He lived for others; he went abrupt doing good; He cared for the temporal needs of the sick and poor. He cared for the souls of all. 2 . In the inner life of thought and feeling. The Christian must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The moral history of the Christly spirit. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," etc. "From a practical introduction in the familiar exhortation to follow the example of our Lord, St. Paul passes on to what is perhaps the most complete and formal statement in all his Epistles of the doctrine of his great humility. In this he marks out first the Incarnation, in which, 'being in the form of God, he took on him the form of a servant,' assuming a sinless but finite... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The mind that was in Christ Jesus. The experience of Christ is the supreme example of his doctrine that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." It is here described as an incentive to our duty of unselfish humility. But as the apostle narrates the wonderful facts, and enumerates the details with evident delight on their own account, we may find in them an inexhaustible subject for meditation, and, while not forgetting the object of drawing a practical lesson from them, we may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:6

Who, being in the form of God . The word rendered "being" ( ὑπάρχων ) means, as R.V. in margin, being originally . It looks back to the time before the Incarnation, when the Word, the λόγος ἄσαρκος , was with God (comp. John 8:58 ; John 17:5 , John 17:24 ). What does the word μορφή form, mean here? It occurs twice in this passage— Philippians 2:6 , "form of God;" and Philippians 2:7 , "form of a servant;" it is contrasted with σχῆμα fashion, in Philippians... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:6

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