Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:5 (ESV)
This is a transitional verse, looking back at what came before it and looking ahead to what follows.
What came before this (Ph. 2:1-4) was an encouragement from Paul to the church at Philippi to be united in heart and mind. To not act out of selfish ambition but humbly consider others as more significant. To put others’ interests ahead of one’s own.
Apart from a couple of women who did not get along (Ph. 4:2), there is no indication of trouble within the Philippian church. In fact, they were one of the churches that Paul seemed to have the least issue with. A church that he remembered with joy (Ph. 1:3-8).
So, Paul’s message to them at the beginning of this chapter is not a corrective as much as an encouragement to continue to grow together as a loving and serving church. To be united in love. And to care deeply for each other.
An Example to Follow
What follows (Ph. 2:6-11) was likely a hymn of the early church. Paul included this hymn, not to make a theological statement about Jesus, but to give them an example of how they should interact with each other.
Jesus, who was in very nature God, humbled himself to become a human and to die on a cross for us. As a result, God has highly honored him, and, in the end, everyone will bow before him.
There is much that could be said about this hymn. But Paul’s intent was to encourage us to have the mind of Christ. To be willing to let go of our “rights” and to be willing to serve others. To follow the example of Jesus in our interactions within the body of Christ.
No sacrifice I can make for others will come near to the sacrifice Jesus made for me. But I should seek to have the mind of Christ. To be willing to follow his example of sacrificial love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
