Philippians 2:8-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The moral history of the Christly spirit. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," etc. "From a practical introduction in the familiar exhortation to follow the example of our Lord, St. Paul passes on to what is perhaps the most complete and formal statement in all his Epistles of the doctrine of his great humility. In this he marks out first the Incarnation, in which, 'being in the form of God, he took on him the form of a servant,' assuming a sinless but finite... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The mind that was in Christ Jesus. The experience of Christ is the supreme example of his doctrine that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." It is here described as an incentive to our duty of unselfish humility. But as the apostle narrates the wonderful facts, and enumerates the details with evident delight on their own account, we may find in them an inexhaustible subject for meditation, and, while not forgetting the object of drawing a practical lesson from them, we may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:6-8

The humiliation of Christ. I. THE HEIGHT FROM WHICH HE . CAME IS THE MEASURE OF THE DEPTH TO WHICH HE DESCENDED . He was for ever "in the form of God;" i.e. with the essential nature of God (cf. John 13:3 , John 13:4 ). II. HIS HUMILIATION WAS NO LOSS OF GLORY OR ESSENTIAL WORTH . He is for ever in the form of God; this he could not renounce. He laid aside for a time his external equality with God. This he considered not to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man . He humbled himself in the Incarnation; but this was not all. The apostle has hitherto spoken of our Lord's Godhead which he had from the beginning, and of his assumption of our human nature. He now speaks of him as he appeared in the sight of men. The aorist participle, "being found ( εὑρεθείς )," refers to the time of his earthly life when he appeared as a man among men. Fashion ( σχῆμα ), as opposed to form ( μορφή ), implies the outward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:9

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him . The exaltation is the reward of the humiliation: "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Better, as R.V., highly exalted. The aorist ( ὑπερύψωσεν ) refers to the historical facts of the Resurrection and Ascension . And given him a Name which is above every name ; read and translate, as R.V., and gave unto him the Name. The two aorist verbs, "highly exalted" and "freely gave" ( ἐχαρίσατο ), refer to the time of our Lord's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:9

Exaltation through humiliation. I. 1 . Our Lord ' s teaching. He is continually urging, under different forms of expression, the elementary gospel truth, that to humble ourselves is the true way of exaltation. "Except a man be born again;" "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" "He that humbleth himself;" "Except ye be converted,'' etc. 2 . Our Lord ' s example. He is himself the great example of that which he teaches. He bumbled himself as none other can humble himself, and he is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:9-11

Christ's reward. There is a relation between work and reward signified in our Lord's own announcement: "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted" ( Luke 14:11 ). I. CHRIST 'S EXALTATION "Wherefore also God highly exalted him." This exaltation is associated with his resurrection, his ascension, and his sitting at God's right hand. It was the reward of his obedience unto death, as the Surety-Head of his people. It was a part of his exaltation that God "gave unto him the Name... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:9-11

Christ's exaltation. Can the public spirit displayed by Jesus Christ be allowed to terminate in the tomb? Or will it receive a gracious recognition and compensation? It is to this we are next brought by the apostle. The Father set his seal upon the Son's self-sacrifice by highly exalting him and conferring on him a superlative Name. And here we learn— I. THAT EXALTATION IS PROPORTIONAL TO HUMILIATION IS the FINAL ARRANGEMENTS OF GOD . ( Philippians 2:9 .) The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ; translate, in the name , not at (comp. Isaiah 45:23 , quoted in Romans 14:10 , Romans 14:11 ). The words may mean, either that all prayer must be offered to God in the name of Jesus, through his mediation; or that all creation must offer prayer to him. Both alternatives are true, and perhaps both are covered by the words; but the second seems to be principally intended (comp. Psalms 63:4 , "I will lift up my hands in thy Name."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:10-11

The exaltation of the Son of man. I. CONTRAST THE GLORY WHICH THE SON OF GOD RENOUNCED WITH THE GLORY WHICH HAS BEEN BESTOWED UPON HIM BECAUSE OF THAT RENUNCIATION . Contrast also the position of a servant which he voluntarily took, with the position of Lord which he thereby won. Although exalted to be Lord, he still remains in the likeness of men; for it is as Man that he won his kingship, and as Man that he draws all men to himself. II. ... read more

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