What mind was in Jesus that the Philippians were advised to also have? [closed]

Question

Philippians 2:5 ASV

Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Answer 1

Isn't "this mind" being explained in the rest of the sentence, all the way down to "death on a cross" in v8. Surely the point of the sentence is to describe the kind of mind Christ had, as demonstrated by his conduct.

In which case, the key points would be "emptied himself" and "humbled himself".

At the same time, coming in from the other side, the sentence is continuing the thought of vv3-4. It explains how we can avoid acting "from selfishness or conceit" and acting in our own interest. It continues the advice that we should count others better than ourselves and act in the interests of others.

So I suggest that the kind of mind which "counts others better than oneself and acts in the interests of others" is being offered as resembling "the mind of Christ".

Answer 2

The answer to this question about "the mind of Christ" in Phil 2:5 given explicitly in the previous verses with the ultimate example in the following verses. Let me set this out to show this more clearly:

The Principle:

2. make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

More Specifically:

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The Great Exemplar = Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:

More specifically:

6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be exploited [BSB] 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.

In Summary

Paul encourages Christ's followers to be loving and others-centered. This the same "mind-set" of Christ, who, despite being in the form of God, humbled Himself in the ultimate way to serve others.

That is the "mind" of Christ; to be humble and consider other more important than yourselves.

Answer 3

The word in Greek translated as have [in] mind is φρονέω (phroneō). It is closely related to φρόνιμος (phronimos), which is sometimes translated wise or prudent.

The question should maybe be, "What was this that the Philippians were to have kept in mind?" The answer would be all that was enumerated above: have the same love as Christ, be of one mind, let nothing be done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness, let each esteem each other better than themselves, look not on ones own things but the things of others (v.2-4). These were all the things that Christ kept in mind.

Theophylact writes:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. That is to say, just as Christ humbled Himself and became a servant for our sake, so also should we imitate His humility and become servants to one another. For it is only by humility that we can overcome the pride and selfishness that separate us from each other and from God. Let us therefore follow the example of Christ and seek to serve others rather than seeking to be served ourselves (PG 125:393).

Answer 4

The Apostle Paul explains it quite nicely at Philippians 2:3-8. Vs3, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of your regard one another as more important than himself; vs4, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others."

Vs5, Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." So what kind of an attitude and love did Jesus have? Vs6, who, although (although means in spite of the fact) He/Jesus existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped."

vs7, but emptied Himself, (how?) by taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. vs8, And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

So what Jesus Christ did was go from one form as God and took on another form of a bond-servant/man. Instead of clinging to what was rightfully His before He became a man He forewent the prerogatives of His deity.

So, the point is that Jesus Christ, (even though He was God in flesh) strictly and only thought of others by dying on that cross for the world. It is also important to note that what He did was voluntary.

While verses 5-11 contain some of the most important Christological truths in the Bible, they were written in a context which should encourage Christians to emulate the example of Christ in humility. Thus, having the mind of Christ means, "to think as Christ thought."

I want to make one more observation that is important as it relates to Philippians 2:12, "So then by beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out you salvation with fear and trembling."

This verse is "NOT" teaching to work out your salvation to get saved or to stay saved. The Apostle Paul is saying, to work out the deliverance/solution of your problems. Why? Vs13, "Because it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Vs14, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing."

This verse is referring back to verses 2-4 which is the reason the Apostle Paul is writing.

Answer 5

(This is related to my answer to the very recent question, If Jesus has never sinned and has never done any wrong, why did he tell the The Rich Young Ruler that He is not Good and that God alone is good? - Christianity Stack Exchange.)

Paul is saying that he has the same mindset that Jesus had, and that all Christians can and should think the same way:

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
— Philippians 2:2–3

In becoming human, Jesus gave up his divinity, and was fully capable of sinning. But he was in communication with God through holy spirit, which guided and advised him. This spiritual connection enabled him to resist temptation and to have loving thoughts for all. Throughout his entire life, including a few moments just before his death when the connection was withdrawn, Jesus never sinned.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death … .
— Philippians 2:6–8

The NLT has 2:7 as "… he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being …".

But all baptised and converted Christians have this same spiritual connection with God that Jesus had experienced since birth; they only need to exercise it to develop personal characters that are just like Jesus's, always obedient to God, personally humble, and loving and forgiving toward those that aren't.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world
— Philippians 2:13–15

It is God's nature or character that Jesus was filled with. He had the mind of God in the body of a human. It is up to Christians to develop their minds to be like that of God, which is what Philippians 2:5 is talking about.