August 8, 2019
Phili 2:6-11: The Self-Emptying and Exaltation of Jesus
Phili 2:6-11: The Self-Emptying and Exaltation of Jesus:
Audio Only File: 
Handout: Phili 2:6-11: The Self-Emptying and Exaltation of Jesus
Summary:
Tonight's study completed our tour of the Office of the Dead with the Evening Office and a study on the canticle for the Office from Philippians 2:6-11 — one of the most theologically and morally profound passages in the Bible. We discussed its origin as a hymn and its context in the church and epistle of Philippi. We examined the stark contrasts of the hymn, e.g., God to slave and abasement to lordship. We considered Jesus' letting go and pondered its relevance for our lives. We digressed into impossibility by definition, i.e., that some things are impossible for God not because of a shortcoming of God but because impossibility is part of the definition, e.g., something cannot be and not be at the same time, and applied this to God not being able to die until He took on humanity. We spent considerable time on the obedience, voluntary submission, and voluntary humility of Jesus and the implications for our lives. We explored just how highly the Father has exalted Jesus, noticed a disagreement among scholars on interpreting one of the verses, and returned to the voluntary submission of Jesus along with our submission to Him in order to fully do the same.
Tags: Philippians, Phili 2:6-11, Jesus, Word, Hypostasis, Hypostatic Union, Philippi, Slave, Humility, Obedience, Submission, Grasped, Wealth, Money, Original Sin, Crucifixion, Cross, Exalted, Lord, Father, Psalms, Divine Office, Office of the Dead