Paul’s letter to the Philippians begins by following standard Hellenistic letter-writing conventions of sender, addressee, salutation, and thanksgiving, but with distinctive glosses (in Christ, grace and peace, God our Father, Lord Jesus Christ). Paul, as is his custom, uses his Greek name Paulos rather than his Hebrew name Sha’ul. 6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God . something to be grasped, a. 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself . and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place (Philippians 2:12-18 Phillips translation) The passage which was read to you this morning from the Phillips translation has to do with very practical concerns of the Christian life. I suppose the most disturbing and widespread concept of Christianity today is that it is a religion of rules which are in conflict with the free spirit of man. Philippians 2:6-11 is universally accepted as taking the form of a hymn. In this way key aspects of early Christian theology would be communicated and remembered. However, as we read the wonderful expressions of the action and nature of the Lord Jesus we should always bear in mind that the Apostle Paul has placed this hymn in the context of two Paul’s letter to the Philippians has some of the “greatest hits” verses of the New Testament: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ.”. ( Philippians 1:6 ) “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”. ( Philippians 1:21 ) “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”. N.T. Wright in his famous article on the issue “Jesus Christ is Lord: Philippians 2.5-11,” pp. 56-98 in The Climax of the Covenant. Christ and the Law in Pauline Theology (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993) refers to J.B. Lightfoot’s rendering of the word ἁρπαγμός by the Latin and by the Greek Fathers (p.63). rmnrpx.

philippians 2 6 11 literary form