The Humility of Christ (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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Philippians 2 is an exhortation by St. Paul to the Philippians to relate to one another in a spirit of humility and other-centredness. Some of the Philippians were falling into a spirit of selfish ambition and pride, which he felt necessary to nip in the bud. He does so by reminding them that they are to regard others as more important than themselves.

To accomplish this, he quotes a hymn that was sung by the early Christian church in praise of Christ’s humility. This hymn is introduced with the statement, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (2:5).1 This verse serves as the bridge between the preceding exhortation, and the main body of the hymn. This shows how Paul’s concern here is to encourage harmonious relations among the brethren.

After the prologue comes the affirmation of Christ’s pre-existence and deity. Philippians 2:6 states, “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Another translation renders this as “Being in very nature God” (NIV). This is one of many places where Paul plainly teaches the divinity of Christ (other such passages being Romans 9:5, Colossians 2:9, Titus 2:13, etc.). The reason he highlights this affirmation is to point out that, despite being God, He humbled Himself in taking on human flesh (vv. 7-8). Thus, the Incarnation is the greatest act of humility in human history, which is why Paul cites it as an example to follow. Finally, after the humiliation of Christ is His exaltation.

The hymn declares that Jesus is given the name above every name, and that every knee will bow, and every tongue confess His Lordship. Here, we have a direct quote of Isaiah 45:23: “I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” The use of an Old Testament passage referring to Yahweh to describe Jesus is very strong evidence that the author of the hymn identified Jesus with the God of Israel.

Thus, the eternal Word who made everything also becomes the humblest human being who ever lived, and His life becomes an example to follow. In reading this passage, may we have the same attitude which was in Christ.

J. Luis Dizon