'How To'
Instructions in Righteousness
printer-friendly Lesson 26: Have the mind of Christ Key verse: Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
To understand this verse, we need to look at it in context. Here are the first
eight verses of the chapter: 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. –Phil
2:1-8
Let this mind . . . (AV). Better, Maintain that inner disposition towards one another which was exemplified (the verb must be supplied) by Christ Jesus. ~ Wycliffe
'Have this mind in you,' etc. Pride is the most naked form of selfishness, which is the essence of sin (Muller). He does not put forward himself as an example, but Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but "humbled Himself" (Phil 2:8), first, in taking on Him our nature; secondly, in humbling himself further in that nature (Rom 15:3). ~ Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. –Phil. 2:8
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. –Rom 15:3
Here is a gospel pattern proposed to our imitation, and that is the example of our Lord Jesus Christ: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, v. 5. Observe, Christians must be of Christ's mind. We must bear a resemblance to his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his, Rom 8:9. Now what was the mind of Christ? He was eminently humble, and this is what we are peculiarly to learn of him. Learn of me, for I am meek [see study on this subject] and lowly in heart, Matt 11:29. If we were lowly-minded, we should be like-minded; and, if we were like Christ, we should be lowly-minded. We must walk in the same spirit and in the same steps with the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself to sufferings and death for us; not only to satisfy God's justice, and pay the price of our redemption, but to set us an example, and that we might follow his steps. ~ Matthew Henry
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. –Rom 8:9
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. –Matt 11:29
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