Paul admonishes us to “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” He bids us imitate the life of the great Exemplar, and exhorts us to possess the mind “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.” The apostle lingers over point after point, that our minds may grasp and fully comprehend the wonderful condescension of the Saviour in behalf of sinners. He presents Christ before us as He was when equal with God and receiving the adoration of angels, and then traces His descent until He reaches the lowest depths of humiliation, that with His human arm He may reach fallen man and lift him from his degradation to hope, joy, and heaven. {4T 457.3}

Paulus formaner os til »ikke at se hver på sit eget, men også på de andres.« Han påbyder os at efterligne vort store Forbilledes liv og tilskynder os til at have »det samme sindelag ... i jer, som var i Kristus Jesus Da han var i guddomsskikkelse, holdt han det ej for et røvet bytte at være Gud lig, men han gav afkald og tog tjenerskikkelse på og blev mennesker lig. Og da han i fremtræden fandtes som et menneske, ydmygede han sig selv og blev lydig til døden, ja, døden på et kors.« Apostlen dvæler over punkt efter punkt, at vore tanker må gribe og helt fatte Frelserens forunderlige (458) nedladenhed for synderes skyld. Han fremstiller Kristus for os, som han var, da han var Gud lig og modtog englenes tilbedelse og så gør han sin nedstigning, indtil han når ydmygelsens laveste dybder, så han med sin menneskelige arm, kan nå faldne mennesker og løfte dem op fra deres fordærv til håb, glæde og himmelen.