< Philippians 2 >

Paul exhorted the disciples to “be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind”. Each was to think like Jesus and develop a mind like his: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.

“Thought it not robbery to be equal with God” is poor translation and misleading - it would be better translated “did not consider that being equal with God was something to be grasped”. Paul is writing that even though he is the son of God he did not think to exalt himself - but, reading on, made himself a servant. The exhortation here is to do the same, not exalt but abase.

Jesus was very great, being not only the Messiah, but also the Son of God. He was “in the form of God” but he did not make himself equal with God. Equality with God was a false charge levelled against him by the Jews which led them to put him to death John 5:18.John 5:18XWaiting for response This false accusation is maintained by advocates of the trinity who claim the Son is equal with the Father. Jesus, however, repudiated this charge against himself and Paul shows that Christ, far from exalting himself to equality with his Father, “made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a slave... he humbled himself, and became obedient [to his Father] unto death”. Jesus was perfectly obedient “therefore God also hath highly exalted him above all”. We are exhorted to be like this - to be humble.

This is an exhortation to have the mind of Christ who, though the Son of God, did not think he was equal with God (John 14:28).John 14:28XWaiting for response Even though he had the highest status for a man, he took on the lowest status - a servant/slave - and was obedient to his Father even unto death on the cross. This passage has to do with status. Jesus was not literally God, as Trinitarians make out and misuse this passage for support, nor literally a slave, but he humbled himself to take on the lowest status, as he instructed his disciples to do (Luke 22:26)Luke 22:26XWaiting for response and gave himself as the example to follow (John 13:14-15).John 13:14-15XWaiting for response Therefore, he was highly exalted and given a name above every name unto whom all should bow. Likewise he promised great exultation for those who follow his example (Matthew 23:11-12;Matthew 23:11-12XWaiting for response Matthew 18:4).Matthew 18:4XWaiting for response

Jesus is now exalted at the Father’s right hand in heaven but we do not yet see all things put under him Hebrews 2:8.Hebrews 2:8XWaiting for response However, when he returns to the earth, “Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. This is the day for which all things are preparing and therefore Paul exhorted the disciples to “be blameless and harmless, the children of God without rebuke” and to “hold forth the word of life” that he might “rejoice in the day of Christ”.