Philippians 2:7-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
7 Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;[a]
and found human in appearance,(A)
8 he humbled himself,(B)
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.[b]
9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name[c]
that is above every name,(C)
Footnotes
- 2:7 Taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness: or “…taking the form of a slave. Coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance.” While it is common to take Phil 2:6, 7 as dealing with Christ’s preexistence and Phil 2:8 with his incarnate life, so that lines Phil 2:7b, 7c are parallel, it is also possible to interpret so as to exclude any reference to preexistence (see note on Phil 2:6) and to take Phil 2:6–8 as presenting two parallel stanzas about Jesus’ human state (Phil 2:6–7b; 7cd–8); in the latter alternative, coming in human likeness begins the second stanza and parallels 6a to some extent.
- 2:8 There may be reflected here language about the servant of the Lord, Is 52:13–53:12 especially Is 53:12.
- 2:9 The name: “Lord” (Phil 2:11), revealing the true nature of the one who is named.
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