Philippians 2:1-13
Verses 5-11 of this chapter of Philippians consist of the famous “Christ Hymn.” This hymn was likely sung by early members of the Jesus movement. Paul must have become familiar with it, and integrated it into his letter to Philippi, another letter he wrote from prison, because he thought it appropriate to his overall message.
There are a number of striking elements apparent in this hymn. For one, it depicts Christ Jesus who humbles himself; indeed, empties himself, and becomes obedient even to death on a cross. Such a process is the mirror opposite to that of the Roman youth, who rises up in glory and power. It is ironic that Christ’s greatest moment is his death, in complete contrast to societal expectations. Second, after death, Christ is exalted by God, and the passage states that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord… ” In the Roman empire, people bowed to Caesar, and confessed Caesar’s name as Lord, or “Kyrios.” Therefore, we observe in this hymn a not so subtle undermining of the Roman empire, which ancient hearers could not have missed. Jesus’ name has been placed even above that of the Roman emperor.
The language of this hymn and Paul’s surrounding words also recall the ancient tradition of friendship. Friends were to be of “one mind” or “one soul.” True friends were to risk all for one another, and not to look to their own interests but to those of the friend. Genuine friendship was also a rarity (these were not Facebook friends!). Thus Paul draws upon his Hellenistic background and traditions in characterizing the identity of Jesus as a model of friendship for all to imitate, but also as a way of defying the overbearing power and ideology of the Roman empire.
-Alicia Batten
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