Humility

When we use this word our mind instinctively goes to Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” It is likely that very few verses of Scripture are more frequently that this one when we come together week by week to remember the Lord, and very rightly our minds are directed to that Blessed On who demonstrated, as none other could, a humble mind. It was His from eternity. But there is a danger of forgetting why Paul was led to write these words. This lovely letter, written by the apostle to a church which he loved reveals that the church had within it strife and contention. In 1:15–16, and in 2:3 he finds it necessary to urge that nothing should be done “through strife and vainglory.” These expressions indicate that some in the church were seeking to exalt themselves at the expense of others. To counteract this manifestation of the old nature, he says, “Let this mind be in you.” It is almost as though Paul would say, “ Let me show you your Lord.” He then speaks of the decent from the throne of the universe to the “death of the cross.” He draws attention to the fact that “He made Himself of no reputation.” He went lower than any other ever did or could. He is in effect saying, “How can you look at the cross and the humility demonstrated there, and then assert yourself above others?” One paraphrase of this verse expresses it as follows, “let Christ Jesus be your example as to what your attitude should be.” The Amplified Version pits it, “Let this same attitude and purpose and humble mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. Let Him be your example of humility.”