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where do we find a balance between humility and a sense of purpose in our modern world?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Philippians 2:3-8

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Don’t look out each for his own interests, but each also for the interests of others. Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.”

The Apostle Paul, writing from prison in the mid-first century CE, encourages the believers in Philippi (a Roman colony in modern-day Greece) to live in unity and selfless love. He presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of humility and self-sacrifice, setting a standard for their conduct.

What does genuine humility, as modeled in this passage, ask of our personal and collective pursuits of purpose?

Then — the setting

Paul wrote this letter from prison, likely in Rome, around 60-62 CE. The Philippian church was Paul's first convert community in Europe and was largely Gentile, though with Jewish roots. They were generally supportive and generous, but internal disagreements or rivalries threatened their unity. Paul uses Christ's example as a paradigm for navigating status and purpose in a world that valued honor, status, and self-advancement, which would have resonated deeply with both Jewish and Roman cultural norms.

Across the Testaments

This passage is a cornerstone of New Testament theology, presenting Christ's 'kenosis' (self-emptying). While the Old Testament frequently calls for humility before God (e.g., Micah 6:8, Proverbs 3:34), and depicts figures like Moses and David as humble, it doesn't offer a direct parallel to the pre-existent divine figure voluntarily divesting himself of divine prerogatives to take on human form and suffer death. The Old Testament's messianic prophecies hint at a suffering servant (Isaiah 53), which the New Testament interprets as fulfilled in Christ, providing a bridge for understanding this radical humility as central to God's redemptive purpose.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Matthew 20:25-28
Jesus teaches his disciples that true greatness comes through service, not dominance.
Micah 6:8
This Old Testament prophet calls for justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God.
1 Peter 5:5-6
Peter echoes Paul's call to humility, urging believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand.

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