Philippians 2:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus took His downward path to its very bottom, obeying all the way to the cross.
The Context of Philippians 2:8
This continues the ancient hymn of Christ (verses 6 to 11). Verse 7 told how He emptied Himself and became a servant; this verse follows that humility down to its lowest point. Crucifixion was the most shameful death the Roman world knew, reserved for slaves and the worst criminals.
What Does Philippians 2:8 Mean?
The descent keeps going. Found among us as a man, Jesus humbled Himself further still, obeying God to the point of dying. And it was death of the harshest kind: the cross, slow and public and shameful. Each phrase steps lower than the last, until there is nowhere lower to go. This is obedience carried all the way, a willingness to lay down everything rather than turn from the Father's purpose. The Lord of glory let Himself be nailed to a criminal's cross.
This is how far love was willing to go for us. Jesus went beyond becoming human, all the way down into death itself, taking the lowest place so that we could be lifted up. He walked toward the cross with open eyes, in obedience, for our sake. When we look at how low He stooped, we see how completely He gave Himself to save us.
Philippians 2:8 in the Original Language
tapeinoo (ταπεινόω), 'humbled' -- to bring low, to make oneself small, the opposite of self-exaltation.
How to Apply Philippians 2:8 Today
The cross shows us a love with no ceiling and no limit, going lower than we could imagine to reach us. Jesus humbled Himself all the way down so that we might be raised up. There is no place we can fall that His descent has not already gone beneath.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philippians 2:8
What does Philippians 2:8 mean?
Jesus took His downward path to its very bottom, obeying all the way to the cross.
What is the context of Philippians 2:8?
This continues the ancient hymn of Christ (verses 6 to 11). Verse 7 told how He emptied Himself and became a servant; this verse follows that humility down to its lowest point. Crucifixion was the most shameful death the Roman world knew, reserved for slaves and the worst criminals.
How can I apply Philippians 2:8 today?
The cross shows us a love with no ceiling and no limit, going lower than we could imagine to reach us. Jesus humbled Himself all the way down so that we might be raised up. There is no place we can fall that His descent has not already gone beneath.