The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Emptied” it comes from the Greek Word “kenoo” which means “to empty oneself.”
Paul describes Christ’s own humility as the pattern for how believers should treat one another. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Philippians 2.
Paul appeals to the Philippians, based on whatever comfort, love, fellowship, and mercy they have experienced in Christ, to make his joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. He instructs them to do nothing through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind to esteem others better than themselves, looking not only on their own interests, but also on the interests of others.
Paul then presents Christ Himself as the ultimate example of this humility, describing how though He existed in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to grasp, but “made himself of no reputation,” using the Greek word “kenoo,” meaning to empty oneself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Christ humbled Himself further still, becoming obedient even to death, “even the death of the cross.” Because of this, God has highly exalted Him, giving Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul urges the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, since it is God who works in them both to will and to do His good pleasure, encouraging them to do everything without murmuring or disputing, so they might shine as lights in a crooked and perverse world. Paul expresses hope to send Timothy soon, praising his genuine care for their welfare, and describes Epaphroditus, who nearly died serving him, as a beloved brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, urging the Philippians to receive him back with joy and hold such men in high esteem.
Christ’s willingness to empty Himself of divine privilege, becoming a servant and ultimately dying on a cross, provides the deepest possible model for genuine humility. Paul’s instruction to have this same mind isn’t asking for mere politeness, but for the kind of radical, self-emptying love that puts others’ genuine interests ahead of our own comfort or reputation.
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