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Phil. 2: 1-21.
A | 1.3. sumpsuchos. One accord (A.V.).
B | 4. Look not on own things.
C | 5-11. Example of Christ. the great self-emptying.
D | 12-16. Work out your own salvation.
C | 17, 18. Example of Paul. The drink offering.
A | 19, 20. Isopsuchos. Like minded (A.V.).
B | 21. All seek their own things.
It will be readily seen that we are not listening to the gospel in its initial sense in these
verses. The whole is addressed to those who are capable of following, at least in some
measure, the great example of Christ. Members C , C deal with the great examples of
self-denying and suffering, and we give the structure here of the first and greatest.
The Example of Christ (Phil. 2: 5-11).
The great kenosis (self-emptying).
A | 5, 6. Equality. Originally (huparchon).
B | 7, 8. The Humiliation (seven-fold).
a | He emptied Himself.
b | A bond-servant.
c | Likeness of men.
d | Fashioned as a man.
a | He humbled Himself.
b | Obedient unto death.
c | The death of a cross.
A | 9-. Wherefore highly exalted. As inherited (Heb. 1: 4).
B | -9-11. The Glory (seven-fold).
a | The name given.
b | Every knee to bow.
c | In heaven; on earth; under earth.
b | Every tongue to confess.
a | Jesus Christ is Lord.
It is not possible in this series to attempt an exposition of such a passage as this, we
can but point out one or two items that bear most closely upon our immediate subject,
remembering, however, that the whole passage in all its details really deals with the
doctrine of the cross, as to its significance, its reward, and its bearing upon the present
and future of the believer. The climax of the great renunciation (the word rendered "no
reputation" is derived from that which means to empty) is found in the death of the cross.
It was the last manifestation of "the mind that was in Christ Jesus", and is the final word
to the believer. The more we study the subject, the more we are convinced that the cross
of Christ is not to be the first presentation of the gospel. The death of Christ, as we have
seen, is the broad basis and reason. The cross is connected with deeper lessons that only
believers can learn. The utter worthlessness of the flesh, the necessity for self-denial, the
perfecting work of suffering with its future glory, the folly and weakness of the wisdom
and power of man, these are some of the lessons learned at the cross of Christ. Further,
the cross is something that may be experimentally entered into, but only as a disciple