2. The Divine and Human Messiah: Incarnation and Exaltation in Paul’s Thought

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Introduction

Paul’s Christology profoundly embraces both the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus as the Messiah. This article explores how Paul presents Jesus’ incarnation, humiliation, obedient death, and exaltation, drawing especially from Philippians and Romans, to portray a Messiah who is uniquely God and man—worthy of worship and imitation.

1. Jesus’ Preexistence and Divine Nature

  • In Philippians 2:6, Paul declares that Jesus “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
  • This affirms Jesus’ preexistence and divine status before the incarnation, central to Paul’s understanding of Messiahship.
  • Jesus is not a mere human prophet but shares in God’s very nature.

2. The Kenosis: Self-Emptying and Incarnation

  • Paul highlights Jesus’ humility in Philippians 2:7: “He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
  • The incarnation involves genuine humanity—Jesus fully assumes human nature and experiences life’s limitations and suffering.
  • This self-emptying (kenosis) is a voluntary condescension, a profound expression of the Messiah’s love and obedience.

3. Obedient Death on the Cross

  • In Philippians 2:8, Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
  • Paul portrays the Messiah’s death as the ultimate act of obedience and humility, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.
  • This suffering servant motif echoes Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53) and marks Jesus as the atoning sacrifice.

4. Divine Exaltation and Lordship

  • Following humiliation, God “highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
  • Jesus’ exaltation confirms His messianic lordship; every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess His Lordship (Philippians 2:10-11).
  • This exaltation is the divine vindication of Jesus’ mission and identity as the Christ.

5. Davidic Lineage and Sonship

  • Romans 1:3 affirms Jesus’ human descent “from David according to the flesh,” grounding His Messianic legitimacy.
  • Yet Paul balances this with divine sonship “declared… by the resurrection,” affirming Jesus’ unique status as God’s Son.

Summary

Paul’s Christology presents a Messiah who is both truly divine and truly human—preexistent God who willingly assumes human nature, humbles Himself in obedient death, and is exalted by God to sovereign Lordship. This profound mystery forms the heart of Pauline theology and grounds Christian faith, worship, and ethical imitation.

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