Philippians 2:5

Commentary on Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2:5 reads in the New King James Version:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

This terse exhortation stands at the hinge between Paul’s appeal for unity in the Philippian church (2:1–4) and the great Christ hymn that follows (2:6–11). Philippians 2:5 summons believers to participate by the Spirit in the very pattern of thought and action that defined the Son of God, a call rooted in our union with Christ and intended to shape every aspect of Christian living.

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

Philippians 2:5–11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1. Textual and Immediate Context

Philippians 2 [i] unfolds in three movements:

Exhortation to communal humility and unity (2:1–4)
Illustration of humility in the person of Christ (2:5–11)
Exhortation to personal obedience and joy (2:12–18)

Verse 5 transitions from the imperative “do nothing out of selfish ambition” (2:3) to the exemplar: the mind of Christ. Paul’s Greek term phronema, here rendered “mind,” refers not merely to intellectual assent but to one’s settled disposition and outlook.

By anchoring their behaviour in the same mindset that characterised Christ’s incarnation and obedience, the Philippians—and all believers—are to overcome divisions and live out genuine fellowship.

2. Theological Significance

Union with Christ and Participatory Humility

Central to Christian identity is the doctrine of union with Christ: believers are in Him by grace, and He lives in them by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:5 presumes this spiritual reality. To “have this mind” is to live out what is already ours in Christ Jesus. The hymn that follows illustrates how the eternal Son “did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself” (2:6–7), modelling the humility to which we are united and called to conform.

Sanctification and the Renewal of the Mind

Romans 12:2 enjoins believers to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind,” a process that echoes Philippians 2:5’s imperative. Sanctification is the Spirit’s work in us, moulding our affections and purposes to mirror Christ’s. The mind of Christ thus becomes both the content and the goal of spiritual formation, driven by grace but lived out in obedience.

Covenant of Redemption and Christ’s Kenosis

The covenant of redemption—the eternal agreement within the Trinity that the Son would redeem His people—finds vivid expression in the hymn of Philippians 2. Christ’s self-emptying (kenosis) and subsequent exaltation (2:9–11) reflect the Father’s covenantal rewarding of the Son’s perfect obedience. This underscores the Christian emphasis on God’s sovereign planning in salvation history and the certainty of Christ’s intercessory work.

3. Exegesis of “Which Was Also in Christ Jesus”

The Meaning of “Mind”

Phronema encompasses orientation, judgement and affection. It is more than thought; it shapes action. Believers are to put to death self-seeking motives and replace them with the pattern exhibited by Christ.

“Which Was Also in Christ Jesus”

The participle clause points back to Christ’s own identity and mission. Paul does not hold up mere moral example but Christ Himself—true God and true man—whose “humanity was assumed without any loss to His divinity.” Christians, by virtue of union, are called to share in Christ’s humility and obedience just as they share in His life and righteousness.

4. Application to Modern Christian Living

Cultivate Christlike Humility
- Evaluate motivations: seek others’ welfare above personal gain.
- Practice hospitality, forgiveness and gentle speech, reflecting Christ’s servanthood.
Renew the Mind
- Engage Scripture and prayer daily to absorb Christ’s perspectives.
- Memorise and meditate on Philippians 2:5–11 as the formative hymn of Christ’s kenosis and exaltation.
Foster Church Unity
- Embrace accountability and gentle correction within small groups.
- Pursue mutual encouragement, knowing each believer bears the mind of Christ.
Embrace Suffering with Christ’s Posture
- Rejoice in trials as means of Christ’s moulding, following His example of humble endurance.

Teaching from Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2:5 teaches that every Christian’s default orientation must mirror Christ’s own disposition of humility, self-sacrifice and obedience. This is neither mere imitation of behaviour nor striving in the flesh, but the Spirit-empowered outworking of our union with Christ, transforming our wills and affections to be “in Christ Jesus.”

[i] Philippians 2

New King James Version

Unity Through Humility

2 Therefore if there is any [a]consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Light Bearers

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy Commended

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [g]state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Epaphroditus Praised

25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [h]not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Footnotes

Philippians 2:1 Or encouragement

Philippians 2:6 Or something to be held onto to be equal

Philippians 2:7 emptied Himself of His privileges

Philippians 2:14 grumbling

Philippians 2:14 arguing

Philippians 2:15 innocent

Philippians 2:19 condition

Philippians 2:30 risking