5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6Though he was God,*2:6 Or Being in the form of God.

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

7Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*2:7a Greek he emptied himself.;

he took the humble position of a slave*2:7b Or the form of a slave.

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,*2:7c Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.

8he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.