4. He Emptied Himself: Humility and Exaltation (Philippians 2:1-11) -- Inductive Bible Study Questions

Disciple Lessons from Philippians, Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi

4. He Emptied Himself: Humility and Exaltation (Philippians 2:1-11)
Inductive Bible Study Questions

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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A study in who Jesus is, and the nature of the incarnation

This week we are studying one of the most important passages about Jesus in the entire Bible. It gives us insight into who Jesus actually is, and Jesus' approach to self- promotion.

Level 1: What Does the Text Say

1.1 This passage consists of an exhortation to righteous living and an example. Which verses contains the exhortation? Which contain the example?

Level 2: What Does the Text Mean?

2.1 Sometimes we can discover what a churches problems were by reading between the lines. What problem did the Philippian church have? What admonishment did Paul give them?

Comment: Vs. 1:6 says of Jesus that he is "in very nature God" (NIV) or "in the form of God" (KJV). The word "nature" or "form" is Greek morphe, "form, outward appearance, shape" (BAG, p. 528) FW Beare says, "Yet morphe does, or at least can, retain in the usage of the NT its proper sense of 'form which corresponds to the underlying reality'" (Philippians, p. 78f)

2.2 Vs. 6: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..." If Jesus is by very nature God, why does vs. 6 talk about grasping at equality with God? (This is difficult, but worth your meditation. KJV's "thought it not robbery to be equal with God" tends to obscure the idea here.)

2.3 Vs. 7: "But made himself nothing (KJV, "emptied himself"), taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." In what sense did Jesus "empty" himself? Why did he need to empty himself in order to become a human?

2.4 Vs. 6 says Jesus was in very nature (Gk. morphe) God. Vs. 7 says he took the very nature (Gk. morphe) of a servant. Which was he in the flesh: God or man?

2.5 Vs. 8 speaks of obedience. Can you think of incidents in Jesus' life where he was obedient, even though it endangered his life?

2.6 Does Jesus' struggle with obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) reveal his weakness or his strength? Defend your answer.

2.7 Vs. 9-11 speaks of exaltation. Did God exalt him because he humbled himself? Or because Jesus was divine?

Level 3: What Does the Text Mean to Me?

3.1 Have you ever been motivated by "selfish ambition" or "vain conceit" (vs. 3). Why can that kind of motivation seem so right?

3.3 Why do we find it so hard to consider others better than ourselves? (vs. 3) In what ways is looking beyond your own interests to the interest of others (vs. 4) opposed to the philosophy of the world.

3.3 How does Christ's example of humility and obedience speak to your life circumstances this week?

Disciple Lessons from Philippians

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