June 9, 2015 (Tuesday)
On September 5, 1948, I preached my first sermon. The title was, “Living As Jesus.” The text was Philippians 2:5-11. Like 1 Timothy 1:16 in yesterday’s blog, Philippians 2:5-11 is likely a fragment of a New Testament hymn, no doubt sung by the early church in worship.
The only text most of us knew in 1948 was the King James Version. In it, the passage from Philippians reads like this:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Beautiful translation of the verses!
The version most used today, it seems, is the New International Version. Here’s how the ancient verses read in the NIV:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Those who use The Amplified Bible not only see the text, but also amplification of the text, like this:
“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(To quote Lawrence Welk: “Isn’t that nice!” A commentary of sorts is built right into the translation). I like the Amplified Bible–it gives one the benefits of having studied Hebrew and Greek without actually doing so.
What did this old hymn sound like when it was sung? We do not know. But the portions of hymns found in our New Testament probably stirred feelings within those early Christians much like the warming of our hearts today when we sing “Amazing Grace” or “Just As I Am.” There are others besides 1 Timothy 3:16 and Philippians 2:5-11. As we study our Bibles, it would be enjoyable to look for them.
You might find this ebook interesting if you liked the blogs about early hymns. Click here.