Philippians 2:8

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

a. NLT: he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

b. NIV: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

c. YLT: and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death -- death even of a cross,

d. Amplified Bible: After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

e. Worrell Translation: and, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

1. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. being found [2147 * heurisko, a prolonged form of a primary heuro, which (together with another cognate form) heureo] [Strong: is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see.]

c. in fashion [4976 * schema] [Strong: from the alternate of 2192; a figure (as a mode or circumstance), i.e. (by implication) external condition:--fashion.]

d. as [5613 * hos] [Strong: probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

e. a man [444 * Anthropos] [Strong:  from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

f. he humbled (5013 * tapeinoo) signifies to make low. Bullinger: to depress, lower, to humble, to bring low.] [Strong: from 5011; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart):--abase, bring low, humble (self).]

g. himself [1438 * heautou] [Strong: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

1). In the next verse, verse 9, it says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him”. In order to complete the meaning, God humbled himself and God also hath highly exalted him.

2. “…and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

a. and became [1096 * ginomai] [Strong: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.]

b. obedient [5255 * hupekoos] [Strong: from 5219; attentively listening, i.e. (by implication) submissive:--obedient.]

c. unto [3360 * mechri, or mechris] [Strong: from 3372; as far as, i.e. up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the terminus, whereas 891 refers especially to the space of time or place intervening) or conjunction):--till, (un-)to, until.]

d. death [2288 * Thanatos] [Strong: from 2348; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X deadly, (be...) death.]

e. even [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

f. the death [2288 * Thanatos] See “death” above.

g. the cross [4716 * stauros] [Strong: from the base of 2476; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ:--cross.]

1). Crucifixion was a very shameful death, those crucified were naked. In the Jewish mind, the person condemned was considered cursed of God.

a). Deuteronomy 21:22, 23 And if a man have committed a sin worthy death, and he be put to death, and thou shalt hang him on a tree:

21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

2). This is exactly what Isaiah 53:4 says, “…yet we did esteem him smitten of God and afflicted.” And he was. Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him.”

a). Acts 2:25 Him, [Jesus] being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

3). Jesus agonized in the garden, Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” 

Why did this happen? I am fully persuaded that Jesus was agonizing over the fact that he was going to die spiritually, be separated from his Father when he would be made sin.

a). Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(1) The joy that was set before him was the knowledge that through his obedience to be the sacrifice, the whole world would be redeemed.

(2) When the LORD saves people he rejoices over them with joy: Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”  [The last part of that verse literally means, “he will leap for joy over thee and shout for joy.”]

(3) Jesus will present us to himself with exceeding joy, Jude 24.

(4) Cp. Luke 15:4-10.

(5) Jesus endured the cross because of his great love for man and because the Father gave him a glimpse of the result of his obedience. Millions, perhaps billions of souls saved because of his obedience.

4). One reason the Holy Spirit included this along with these other thoughts was because it was part of the joy set before him. Jesus knew before the cross he was going to be exalted after his resurrection. During the week prior to the crucifixion, Jesus was ministering in the Temple. When some of the religious leaders tried to make him look bad in front of the people and failed, Jesus gave them a taste of their own medicine. He asked them to explain Psalm 100:1. This exchange reveals that Jesus knew he was to be exalted after his death.

a). Matthew 22:41-45 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

b). When Jesus was before the Sanhedrin before they took him to Pilate, Jesus not only declared he was the Messiah, but he also said Psalm 110:1 was a prophecy of his exaltation.

c). Matthew 26:63, 64 But Jesus held his peace, and the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.