About the Hymn
Philippians 2:6-11 is one of the earliest hymns of the Christian church, sometimes called the Kenosis Hymn (from the Greek word for “he emptied” or “he made himself nothing” in verse 7). These verses clearly elucidate the two phases of Christ’s work of redemption: his humiliation and his exaltation. The Apostles’ Creed summarizes these two phases with deceptively simple verbs: he was conceived, born, suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried (his humiliation); and then he descended into hell, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again (his exaltation). Note that Christ’s descent into hell was not part of his suffering; it was actually a declaration of his victory, which occurred after he came back to life (his vivification).
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul adds an application to this doctrinal hymn. We are to be like Christ: humble and selfless, emptying ourselves for others. Most of us will not be called upon to sacrifice our lives for the sake of others—although some will—but we all have daily opportunity for less heroic acts of humility, the generous and kind words and actions that exemplify selflessness.
The hymn text adds an additional thought, one Paul explores later in Philippians 3:21. Because of Jesus’ work of redemption, we will also share in his exaltation: he “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” That “seed of majesty,” as the hymn text phrases it, will shine through when Christ comes back. He will bless us with “glory’s dress” and we will live forever with him on high.
The hymn should be performed at a stately♩= ca. 92.
Text
1. O Lord, in deep humility
you walked our weary world,
in skin you hid divinity:
true God come down to serve.
This dirt and din, the stain of sin—
you claimed it as your own.
You gave yourself to gruesome death:
a cross, a tomb, a stone.
2. Then you revealed your majesty,
uncovered the divine!
You took new breath and conquered death:
exalted, glorified!
At age’s end you’ll come again.
All people of the world
will cry and sing on bended knee:
“This Jesus Christ is Lord!”
3. Lord, may your deep humility
course through our hearts and minds,
that ev’ry day in ev’ry way
we’re generous and kind.
And may the seed of majesty,
now hidden, glimmer through.
May we be blessed with glory’s dress
and live on high with you.
© 2017 Laurie F. Gauger
Lectionary Reading
Year A, Proper 21 (26): Philippians 2:1–13
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ot looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
