Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 23:5-12, Exaltation

Though Christ Jesus was in the form of God He emptied Himself taking the form of a bond-servant.  He saw Himself as having no rights but fully submitting to His Father.  Thus in obedience the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross!

The very next word in Phil. 2:9 is therefore.  What follows is perfectly connected to the humiliation of the Son of God.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him.  This is a “therefore” (i.e. it is expected) because there is a universal principle in the wisdom of God.  We see this principle all over Scripture and if we were just mildly observant we would see it all throughout history and in our current place in history.  We would also, if we trusted in God, expect Him to work by this principle in the future.  The principle and it’s connection to the bondservant is stated clearly in Matt. 23:11-12:

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts Himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

In Matthew Jesus is the One who is speaking.  The context is His rebuke of the Pharisees and Scribes.  They were those who exalted themselves; thus they would be humbled.  Jesus was speaking to the crowds and His disciples.  He was admonishing them not to follow the example of the religious leaders but to be those who would be servants, who would humble themselves.


King David, who was exalted by God from a humble shepherd to being king over Israel, by whom all other kings were evaluated, testified to this in Psalm. 18:27: For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks.


Isaiah applied this principle to our salvation in Isa. 57:15: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Ezekiel, addressing the prince of Israel (a wicked king), put it this way: Remove the turban, and take off the crown; nothing shall remain the same.  Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted (Ezek. 21:25-27).


Hannah, who had been humbled because she had no children, and who humbled herself before the Lord in prayer, testified of God’s work like this: He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor (1 Sam. 2:8).

  Mary, mother of Jesus, saw this principle in her own life, saying: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble (Lk. 1:52).

The supreme illustration of this principle is our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He humbled Himself.  THEREFORE God has highly exalted Him!  How has this principle been seen in your life?  Are you exalting or humbling yourself?