Phili 2:6-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Phil 2:6-11: 2:6-11 This early Christian hymn is about Christ’s preexistence and divine nature, incarnation and death, exaltation and lordship. 2:6 Though he was God: See John 1:1-3 ; 17:5 ; Col 1:15 .

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.