The Christ-Hymn

The Importance of the Context 1-4

    v. 1 – Four Exhortations to Unity.
    v. 2 – be like-minded – having the same love – of one accord, of one mind.
    v. 3 – A key to understanding verses 5-11
    v. 4 – We naturally look out for our own interests.

The Introduction to the Hymn  v. 5		

    This is a passage only applicable to Christians.  
    You are in Christ – so have the same mind-set that was in Christ.

The Hymn Itself  6-11

I. The Pre-Incarnate Christ 6

Being in THE FORM of God
Taking THE FORM of a bondslave

II. His Humiliation 7-8

A.  He Made Himself of no reputation 
    -- He emptied Himself	
    -- He made himself nothing
    -- Possible allusion to Isaiah 53:12 – “He …poured out his soul unto death”.

B.  Taking the form of a bond-slave; Coming in the likeness of men
      Being found in appearance as a man
    
C.  The Humiliation of Death on the Cross  8b

III. His Exaltation 9-11

A.  He has the Name above every Name.
    
B.  Every knee will bow, every tongue confess -- Isaiah 45:22-25	

C.  Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father