Philippians 2:5-8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,[a]
6 Who,[b] though he was in the form of God,(A)
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.[c]
7 Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;[d]
and found human in appearance,(B)
8 he humbled himself,(C)
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.[e]
Footnotes
- 2:5 Have…the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus: or, “that also Christ Jesus had.” While it is often held that Christ here functions as a model for moral imitation, it is not the historical Jesus but the entire Christ event that Phil 2:6–11 depict. Therefore, the appeal is to have in relations among yourselves that same relationship you have in Jesus Christ, i.e., serving one another as you serve Christ (Phil 2:4).
- 2:6–11 Perhaps an early Christian hymn quoted here by Paul. The short rhythmic lines fall into two parts, Phil 2:6–8 where the subject of every verb is Christ, and Phil 2:9–11 where the subject is God. The general pattern is thus of Christ’s humiliation and then exaltation. More precise analyses propose a division into six three-line stanzas (Phil 2:6; 7abc, 7d–8, 9, 10, 11) or into three stanzas (Phil 2:6–7ab, 7cd–8, 9–11). Phrases such as even death on a cross (Phil 2:8c) are considered by some to be additions (by Paul) to the hymn, as are Phil 2:10c, 11c.
- 2:6 Either a reference to Christ’s preexistence and those aspects of divinity that he was willing to give up in order to serve in human form, or to what the man Jesus refused to grasp at to attain divinity. Many see an allusion to the Genesis story: unlike Adam, Jesus, though…in the form of God (Gn 1:26–27), did not reach out for equality with God, in contrast with the first Adam in Gn 3:5–6.
- 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.
Philippians 2:5-8
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:5 Or that you have
Philippians 2:5-8
Good News Translation
5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
6 He always had the nature of God,
but he did not think that by force he should try to remain[a] equal with God.
7 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had,
and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a human being
and appeared in human likeness.
8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—
his death on the cross.
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:6 remain; or become.
Philippians 2:5-8
New American Standard Bible
5 (A)Have this attitude [a]in yourselves which was also in (B)Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already (C)existed in the (D)form of God, (E)did not consider equality with God something to be [b]grasped, 7 but [c](F)emptied Himself by taking the form of a (G)bond-servant and [d](H)being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, (I)He humbled Himself by becoming (J)obedient to the point of death: (K)death [e]on a cross.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Philippians 2:5 Or among
- Philippians 2:6 Or seized
- Philippians 2:7 I.e., set aside His divine rights
- Philippians 2:7 Or having come to be
- Philippians 2:8 Lit of
Philippians 2:5-8
New International Version
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:(A)
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,(B)
did not consider equality with God(C) something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing(D)
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,(E)
being made in human likeness.(F)
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death(G)—
even death on a cross!(H)
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
- Philippians 2:7 Or the form
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