Matthew Henry Commentary Philippians 2:5-11

"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an 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 fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:5-11 (ASV)

The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life if we are to have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and his human nature. Who, being in the form of God, partaking of the Divine nature as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God (John 1:1), did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men.

His human nature: in this, he became like us in all things except sin. So low, of his own will, he stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the world was. Christ's two states, of humiliation and exaltation, are noted. Christ not only took upon himself the likeness and fashion, or form, of a man, but of one in a low state; not appearing in splendor.

His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, the death of a malefactor and a slave; exposed to public hatred and scorn. The exaltation was of Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word but the authority of Jesus, all should pay solemn homage.

It is to the glory of God the Father to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will that all men should honor the Son as they honor the Father (John 5:23). Here we see such motives for self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we, in this way, love and obey the Son of God?