Why Continue A Series On A Great, Early Hymn?

why continue a series on a great, early hymn? | Philippians ii.8

I have written 7 articles on Philippians 2 so far. To review them go to the Word Study or Theology categories in the Archives.

These articles have been consistently been TRENDING!
Most are brief 3-5 minute reads.

As stated above, this is is the 8th in a series on Philippians 2.5-11 CLICK

In some forms of numerology the number 8 is the number of new beginnings.

As I enter the home stretch (the 3rd book in this series so to speak), I don’t want to miss the opportunity to remind you of “the why.” Why is this Scripture so important and why am I taking the time to work through it at a snail’s pace?

I’ll start with the Scripture selection.

Consider this article a transitional piece into new beginnings.

the series Scripture selection

I have primarily used the King James Version (KJV). I have no problem with the KJV; grew up on it.

In the classic movie Firefox, Clint Eastwood is called out of America Air Force retirement to steal a Russian plane because he matches the profile with his Russian family background. At one point in the briefings he is is told there are mind-reading sensors in the helmet so, “You MUST think in Russian!”*

At times, this is me. I think in KJV, look up Scripture in KJV, and then look for other translations that may match the original language a little better. So at least you know the approach.

literary background

This is a song or hymn of the Early Church (EC), perhaps the oldest such hymn.

Philippians is believed to be written around AD 62-64, a fairly early book in the New Testament (NT). However, this hymn seems to be handed down to Paul. One clue is he includes it in poetry form as if the congregation would already recognize it. It could have been a hymn or a creed chanted before the time of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, handed down from the EC.

Early NT hymns like this are creeds, confessions, doctrines of the EC – a way of doing Theology in reading communities.

This hymn is important historically as well. Throughout Tradition, many great Christian leaders comment on Philippians 2 as a profound Theological passage. Historically, it is a classic Scriptural Text about the Deity and Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it raises some legit questions about how early the Christus Victor model of Atonement is in play.

3 primary themes

The 3 great truths we are exploring are The Incarnation (articles 1-4), The Crucifixion (articles 5-7), and now we turn to The Exaltation.

To review my 7 articles on Philippians 2 so far go to the Word Study or Theology categories in the Archives.

But Paul is not doing Theology just for the sake of teaching great truths. He is practical. This hymn is in a greater passage in which Paul is teaching relational truths, including the virtue of humility. He points to Jesus as the ultimate example with this hymn and says Let this mind be in you . . .

driving it home

We have practically applied these great Theological concepts to our lives, in the articles, and in practical invitations at times. As we consider this passage again, let’s maintain this focus.

How can I apply the story of Christ to my own life?

How can I look to our Lord as more than a Savior? Is this even possible?

This hymn shows us our Jesus desiring to be my Personal Teacher, Guide, Mentor, my Lord.

We are looking at this hymn line by line.

After this 8th article as a segue to new beginnings we will turn to the last 3 verses.