The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ

In this passage are found four key doctrines:
(1) The incarnation of Christ – i.e. God taking the form of a man so that He could die on the cross for our sins (“and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” – Phil. 2:7b). “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). “God was manifest in the flesh” (I Tim. 3:16).
(2) The condescension of Christ – i.e. He left the glories of heaven and condescended to become a man, in fact –a servant (2:7).
(3) The humiliation of Christ. This refers to His submission to a cruel death on the cross in order to atone for our sins.
(4) The exaltation of Christ. Christ rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. And one day “every knee should bow” to Him. This is His exaltation.

1. WE NEED TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST (2:5).