Philippians 2:6-7 - The Emptying of Self

What does it mean to be a Christian? Is believing in Christ enough? (It's a trick question)

To be a Christian includes (but is not limited to) being in agreement with the Christian faith in what it has historically taught about Jesus.

To put it crassly: Herod believed in Jesus. Pilate believed in Jesus. Barabbas believed in Jesus. Judas Iscariot believed in Jesus.

But did they really?

What we believe about Jesus is vital. As Christians we believe in the Jesus of the gospels--the Jesus preached by the apostles. What this is, is in part defined by the "Hymn to Christ" found in Philippians 2:6-11. In this study we get further into the "Hymn to Christ" and learn more about the doctrine of Christ. We also see how that informs our view of God as Trinity and why we insist that a belief in the Trinity is necessary for Christian orthodoxy.

So the Hymn to Christ begins with the pre-existence of Christ as God. Then it says he emptied himself. What does that mean? Why does it matter to us? Why did Paul think it important to include in his letter to the Philippians? Can theology this deep possibly be practical? Take a listen to the next in our informal, verse-by-verse studies through Philippians. You will be blessed.

Click here to listen: Philippians 2:6-7 - The Emptying of Self