The Descent Motif of Philippians 2:5-11

You will certainly find that Philippians 2:5-11 describes Christ's deity, incarnation, death, and exaltation and is extremely important for Christology.  One should not neglect, however, how Paul is using the hymn to encourage the Philippians to proper living as citizens in God's kingdom (Phil 1:27). They are to have the same attitude as Christ (2:5)

Who because he is in the form of God
  Did not think to take advantage of
  The divine equality he possessed
 But rather he emptied himself
  By taking the form of a slave
  By being born as a man
And having been found as a man
  He further humbled himself
  By being obedient as far as death
     Even as far as a wretched death on a cross
Therefore, God did indeed highly exalt him
That is, he gave him the name above all names
  For this two-fold purpose: that in honor of the name of Jesus
    Every knee of heaven and earth and under the earth shall bow
  And every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD
    To the glory of God the Father.

We can see that the hymn begins with the picture of Christ in a high position (equality with God). Then, He emptied himself. He who is in the form of God took the form of a man. Then, He humbled himself. As a man, he did not stop at the incarnation. He became obedient even as far as dying the shameful death on the cross. We can see that Christ stoops to the lowest point that anyone could ever go. At that point, God "super exalts" Christ to the highest position. The focus shifts to the name that Christ receives. He is YHWH, and all things are subjected to him.

Paul intends the Philippians to take Christ as their example. Christians should walk the way of humility. I have been thinking about this passage in Scripture for a while now (I had to write a term paper on it). This lesson has been a difficult one for me to learn especially since I have had the opportunity to learn more about theology, languages, philosophy, etc. than perhaps most Christians have opportunity to learn. As I reflect on this passage, for me to take pride in what I learn is silly for two reasons. One, how can I take pride in something that is a gift of God. Scripture is God-breathed, and God had to give me a new heart before I even would accept it. I have Scripture, believe it, study it, understand it all because of what God did. Two, Christ's act of self-humiliation as Paul presents it in Philippians simply leaves no room for self boasting. Humility is our way of life as Christians.

I am comforted to know that God gives grace to people like me who struggle with this kind of weakness. I am thankful for the strength he gives me to endure the struggles of pride in my life. And I am thankful that I have to strive be as humble as my Savior who is much humbler than I am and exalt my Lord who is always worthy of my praise.