Phili 2:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Phil 2:1-11: 2:1-11 In the midst of their persecution, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united and to live a humble life like Christ. Summary for Phil 2:1-2: 2:1-2 Is there ... ? These rhetorical questions expect positive answers. Those who have a real experience of Christ should live together in harmony and love .

Summary for Phil 2:1-11: 2:1-11 ^a In the midst of their persecution, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united and to live a humble life like Christ.
Summary for Phil 2:1-2: 2:1-2 ^b Is there ... ? These rhetorical questions expect positive answers. Those who have a real experience of Christ should live together in harmony and love.
Summary for Phil 2:3-4: 2:3-4 ^c Don’t be selfish: Self-centeredness is antithetical to genuine care for others (cp. 2:20-21 ^d; 1 Cor 10:24 ^e; Gal 5:26 ^f).
Summary for Phil 2:6-11: 2:6-11 ^g This early Christian hymn is about Christ’s preexistence and divine nature, incarnation and death, exaltation and lordship. 2:6 ^h Though he was God: See John 1:1-3 ⁱ; 17:5 ^j; Col 1:15 ^k.
2:7 ^l he gave up his divine privileges (literally he emptied himself): The rest of 2:7-8 ^m explains this ultimate expression of divine self-denial (cp. 2 Cor 8:9 ⁿ).

• the humble position of a slave (or the form of a slave): Paul might have been thinking of Isa 52:13–53:12 ^o.

• and was born as a human: See John 1:14 ^p; 1 Tim 3:16 ^q.
2:8 ^r in obedience to God: It was God’s will that Jesus die for the sins of humanity (see Isa 53:7 ^s; Matt 26:39 ^t; John 3:16 ^u; 10:17-18 ^v; Rom 5:8 ^w, 19 ^x; 8:3 ^y; Heb 5:8 ^z; 1 Jn 4:9-10 ^aa, 14 ^ab).

• a criminal’s death on a cross: In the Roman Empire, crucifixion was a cruel and humiliating punishment for criminals.