5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:6 is often asked about when one begins to unlearn the lies of the Trinity doctrine, which has been taught to them by the Catholic Church and her rebellious daughters. However, when we consider the verses following verse 6, as well as the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the simplicity of the message being given in Philippians 2 is made plain unto those that understand.
In his writing to the saints at Philippi, Paul the apostle had a simple yet very important message for the saints – that they should not be filled with pride. It is written in the proverbs that only by pride cometh contention (Proverbs 13:10), and, pride goeth before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Lest there should be any contention among the saints, but rather that the saints should have love one for another, it was necessary for the saints to have in mind that they ought to be humble, each esteeming other better than themselves, and looking to the things of their fellow brethren, that they may be blameless and without rebuke, shining as lights in a world filled with gross darkness. And Paul pointed to Jesus Christ as being an example of humility, that as he had in his mind to be a humble and obedient servant, even unto death, so should we who are called by his name.
And Christ indeed is the perfect image of humility; for consider the things that were appointed unto him and the honor bestowed upon him. This is the man who went down to the Jordan River to be baptized of John, who was baptizing the children of Israel for the remission of their sins (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3); and having no sin in him, fulfilled all righteousness; and him God declared from heaven to be his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased (Matthew 3:13-17). And being filled with the Spirit of his Father, from then on, God was in Christ, God was manifest in the flesh. This is how Jesus Christ the Son of God was in the form of God. Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and as he himself said: “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). How? Because God was in Christ. God, who is a spirit and cannot be seen by the eyes of men, could now be seen and heard, as he dwelt in his Son and spoke through him unto his people (John 1:18, Matthew 17:5, Hebrews 1:1-2, John 14:10, Colossians 2:9).
Now, Christ Jesus, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Firstly, what is not being said? Paul did in no wise insinuate that Jesus Christ the Son of God thought he was co-equal with God. There is no one that is co-equal with God the Father, and Jesus Christ affirmed this when he said of his Father:
“…I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”
(John 14:28)
And,
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
(Mark 13:32)
If it is so that God the Father is greater than his Son, and that he only knows when the hour shall be of his coming, why then did Paul the apostle write that Jesus Christ thought it not robbery to be equal with God? Let us consider the things that were appointed unto him and the honor bestowed upon him…
John the Baptist said of the Son of God:
“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
(John 3:35)
Jesus Christ the Son of God is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2); There is nothing in God’s dominion that has been withheld from him (Psalm 2:7-8, Hebrews 2:5-10). He it is whom God has committed all judgment unto (John 5:22), whom God has ordained to be the Judge of quick and dead (Acts 10:42). Jesus, knowing that he was the Son of God with power (being given power on earth to forgive sins, to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead (Matthew 9:6, 10:8, Acts 10:38)), and that God was in him (John 10:38, 14:10-11), and had given him all things (Matthew 11:27), therefore said by the Spirit of God:
“And all mine are thine, and thine are mine…”
(John 17:10)
And,
“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”
(John 5:22-23)
And,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
I and my Father are one.”
(John 10:27-30)
Not that he and the Father are the same person. But that they are one. How are they one? How is it that all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father? Because God was (and is) in Christ; in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9); God was manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, Jesus thought it not robbery to equal with God, for he is the image of God, and all that belongs to God, belongs to him also (for they were given unto him); yea, even his kingdom (Revelation 11:15, Matthew 28:18).
But despite all that was given to him of his Father, despite all the glory and honor that was bestowed upon him, yet he made himself of no reputation, seeking not his own glory (John 7:18), and took upon him the form of a servant (Matthew 20:25-28). He did not exalt himself, but instead humbled himself, being found in fashion as a man: For he even acknowledged that he could do nothing of himself, that all the works he did were not of him, but of his Father that sent him and was in him (John 5:19, 8:28, 14:10). And because he was a humble and faithful servant to his God, being obedient unto death, God highly exalted him to sit down on his right hand (Hebrews 12:2, Acts 2:33-34). Let it be said again, GOD ALMIGHTY HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM TO SIT DOWN AT HIS RIGHT HAND! And as it is written,
“And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.”
(Hebrews 7:7)
So also is the lesser exalted of the better. This alone testifies against the lie of the Trinity doctrine. One who is co-equal with another cannot exalt the other to a higher position of power and authority. However, the Son of God, being the lesser (John 14:28, Hebrews 2:9), was exalted to receive power, majesty, and glory by him who has all power. And, now being exalted, hath immortality, death no longer having dominion over him, is sat down on the throne of God, and is declared to be the KING of KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 4:2, 1 Timothy 6:14-16, Revelation 17:14, 19:16).
We who are the servants of Christ look to our Lord as an example, walking as he walked, having in our minds the mind of Christ. For as he humbled himself and was obedient in all things pertaining to his Father and to his God, so are we to humble ourselves before the Lord our God. There is honor and glory that awaits those who shall make it into the kingdom of God, being faithful servants; and they shall be rewarded for their obedience, even as the Lord Jesus was rewarded for his obedience. However, as it is written:
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
(Proverbs 15:33)
This is the message of Philippians 2, particularly verse 5-11; it is one of humility and servitude, and this the man Christ Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly exemplified.
Amen.
