The Epistle to the Philippians

Paul writes to the Philippians from prison, and yet the letter overflows with joy. At its center it carries a hymn on the abasement and exaltation of Christ, one of the most ancient professions of faith of the Church, which Paul quotes to call his own to humility. Philippi was the first city in Europe where Paul preached the Gospel, during his second journey. It was a Roman colony, settled with veterans of the legions, proud of their citizenship: a detail that gives its full sense to the word in which Paul recalls to the Philippians a city higher than Rome.

The abasement of Christ

The hymn follows Christ in his descent. He who was God did not keep his rank as a good to be defended, but stripped himself to take on our condition: “Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God as a prize to be seized, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming like men.” Philippians 2:6-7 The Greek word says a true self-emptying; the verb is ekenōsen (ἐκένωσεν), “he emptied himself,” from which tradition drew the word kenosis to name this voluntary self-annihilation of the Son: losing nothing of his divinity, the Son takes on all of our humanity. And his descent goes to the very end: “He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

The exaltation

To the lowest point of abasement answers the highest of glory. Because the Son went down to the cross, the Father raises him above all: “Therefore God has raised him on high and given him the Name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9 Before this Name, every knee bows, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Now “Lord,” in Greek Kyrios, is the word by which the Bible translated the very Name of God; and this universal adoration takes up a word in which God, in the prophet Isaiah, said that before him every knee would bow. In turning it upon Jesus, Paul renders him the adoration due to God alone. The hymn thus traces the way of salvation: the road that descends is the one that rises, and the humility of Christ is the source of his glory, as it is the model of ours.

Joy in trial

From this abasement followed by glory, Paul draws a joy that his prison does not dim. He presses the Philippians to rejoice, not in circumstances, but in the Lord who holds them: “Rejoice in the Lord always; I say it again, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 This joy does not ignore trial, it passes through it, leaning on the Christ for whom Paul counts all the rest as nothing. This letter is first of all a thanks: the Philippians had sent to Paul, through their brother Epaphroditus, the means to sustain him in his prison. He thanks them for it and confesses that he has learned to live in plenty as in want, because a single strength carries him: “I can do all things in the one who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 To these Philippians proud of being Roman citizens, he recalls a higher belonging: “our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await as Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20 In chains, he gives the example of what he teaches: a peace the world neither gives nor takes away. The source of this peace Paul gives: to hand over to God every anxiety, in prayer and thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7