“Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)
Jesus is the example and pattern for the Christian life. Being a “success” as a Christian means being conformed to Jesus.
St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians was written to Christians in the small but important city of Philippi. It was founded by proud Roman army veterans among local people that they looked down on and prided itself on favor from the emperors and government. Even though most of the population and doubtless most of the Christian community was slaves, humble artisans, and the poor, they lived in an environment where self-importance was a constant temptation.
In his letter, St. Paul greatly emphasizes the importance of humility, showing with the help of a beautiful hymn (Philippians 2:5-11) how Jesus was humble. Through this, he is teaching the Philippians that what is important in the Christian life is exactly opposite of what the world regards as important. Life in Philippi was all about honor, glory, distinction, and favoritism, while Jesus showed the way of dishonor, humility, community, and detachment.
The hymn describes at length the attitude and actions of Jesus but begins by addressing the hearers: “Have in yourselves the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” The words translated as “have the same attitude” can also be rendered as “be of the same mind.” This is something that St. Paul returns to many times in his letters: the importance of the mind being transformed by encountering Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. The mind gives the person the ability to make sense of information and make judgements about what is real and true, which in turn determines how the person acts. Having the same mind as Jesus means seeing yourself, others, and all of reality the way that Jesus does, and therefore able to act the way Jesus did. Jesus did this by “not seeing equal honor with God something to cling to,” even though it was his by right. He showed this beyond doubt by “being made in human likeness… and obedient unto death on a cross.”
The hymn ends with a paradox: Jesus is glorified above all because of his humility and obedience. The world sees honor and glory as things to be grasped at, claimed and exploited; Jesus received honor and glory precisely because he rejected them. Jesus was lifted up because he lifted others up, and this is the pattern of Christian life: by the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can become “of the same mind” and see the world as he does, seeking to lift up others rather than to be lifted up by them.
-Fr. Nate
