Phili 2:5-11 | TNotes

Summary for Phil 2:6-11: 2:6-11 ^a This early Christian hymn is about Christ’s preexistence and divine nature, incarnation and death, exaltation and lordship. 2:6 ^b Though he was God: See John 1:1-3 ^c; 17:5 ^d; Col 1:15 ^e.
2:7 ^f he gave up his divine privileges (literally he emptied himself): The rest of 2:7-8 ^g explains this ultimate expression of divine self-denial (cp. 2 Cor 8:9 ^h).

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

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

• a criminal’s death on a cross: In the Roman Empire, crucifixion was a cruel and humiliating punishment for criminals.
2:9 ^w As a result of Christ’s humble obedience, God elevated him to the place of highest honor; see Acts 1:9-10 ^x; cp. Acts 2:32-33 ^y; 7:55-56 ^z.

• the name above all other names: Jesus has supreme authority and power (Phil 2:10-11 ^aa; cp. Matt 28:18 ^ab; John 17:5 ^ac; Acts 2:33-36 ^ad; Heb 2:9 ^ae; 12:2 ^af).
Summary for Phil 2:10-11: 2:10-11 ^ag The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10 ^ah, 21 ^ai; Col 1:20-25 ^aj; 1 Pet 3:22 ^ak).

• every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23 ^al; Rom 14:11 ^am): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion.

• Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.