COMMENTARY

This pericope constitutes the third of the four servant songs in Isaiah. Yehweh's servant hears his voice and is therefore fortified with determination to suffer mental agony in terms of ridicule, false accusations, humiliation and shame. He suffers confidently because he believes Yahweh will vindicate, help and pronounce him innocent.

Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11

Paul is pleading for unity in the Philippian congregation. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this pericope, Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated in the words "in the form of God" and "equality with God." His humanity is expressed in the phrases, "emptied himself," "the likeness of men," "in human form," "obedient unto death." This humility, obedience and…