Philippians 2:5,6 – the deposition of Christ Jesus

For let this disposition be in you, which is in Christ Jesus also, Who being inherently in the form of God, deems it not pillaging to be equal with God…

In the preceding verses (Phil. 2:2–4), Paul urges believers to live in unity, humility, and selflessness. Rather than looking to their own interests, they are to consider those of others. He then points to the supreme example of such an attitude: Christ Jesus. This is the real subject of this well-known passage. Paul’s primary concern is not to teach his readers about the person of Christ, but about His mindset.

It is striking that Paul speaks here of Christ Jesus. This word order is characteristic of his letters. Paul frequently uses the name Jesus Christ, but Christ Jesus reflects the way he came to know his Lord. The other apostles followed Jesus during His earthly ministry and could therefore speak of Jesus Christ. Paul, however, first encountered Him after His resurrection—as the glorified Christ. From that personal perspective he so often writes: Christ Jesus.

Paul then says of this Christ Jesus that He is “in the form of God” and did not regard “being equal with God” as something to be grasped. But of whom is Paul speaking here? The answer to that question proves to be of great importance for understanding the verses that follow.

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