Devine Scripture

Philippians 2:8

What does Philippians 2:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 2:8 means

Having become truly human, Christ went lower still: He humbled Himself in perfect obedience to the Father, even to the point of death—and not just any death, but the shameful, painful death of the cross. His obedience was not theoretical; it was tested in suffering. This is the climax of His humility. On that cross He bore sin’s curse and accomplished our salvation. The verse shows that Christian obedience may be costly, but in Christ we see that such obedience is redemptive and God-honoring. The measure of His love is the cross; the measure of our mindset is whether we will walk the path of costly faithfulness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And being seen in form as a man, he took the lowest place, and let himself be put to death, even the death of the cross.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death--death even of a cross,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having been found in figure as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and [that the] death of [the] cross.

Context

The descent that began with equality with God (v. 6) and servanthood (v. 7) culminates in the cross (v. 8). This sets the stage for the dramatic reversal in verses 9–11, where God exalts Jesus and bestows the highest name. The flow from humility to glory grounds Paul’s earlier call to unity: believers can embrace lowliness and sacrificial love because this is the way of their Lord, and God vindicates it. After this hymn, Paul will apply its implications to the Philippians’ obedience and witness (vv. 12–18).

v.7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

v.8This passage

v.9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 10:7

    Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

  • Luke 9:29

    And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Psalms 40:6

    Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.

  • John 14:31

    but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

  • Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.

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