--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now in holding up Christ as an example…" description: "\"“Now in holding up Christ as an example, he wants the Philippians to imitate Christ. But certainly he is not asking the Philippian Christians to “give ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/wayne-a-grudem-18912_christianity_now-in-holding-up-christ-as-an-example-h_1810106.jpg" --- # Now in holding up Christ as an example, he wants the… ![“Now in holding up Christ as an example, he wants the Philippians to imitate Christ. But certainly he is not asking the Philippian Christians to “give up” or “lay aside” any of their essential attributes or abilities! He is not asking them to “give up” their intelligence or strength or skill and…” quote by Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/wayne-a-grudem-18912_christianity_now-in-holding-up-christ-as-an-example-h_1810106.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/wayne-a-grudem-18912_christianity_now-in-holding-up-christ-as-an-example-h_1810106.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/wayne-a-grudem-18912_christianity_now-in-holding-up-christ-as-an-example-h_1810106.jpg) > ““Now in holding up Christ as an example, he wants the Philippians to imitate Christ. But certainly he is not asking the Philippian Christians to “give up” or “lay aside” any of their essential attributes or abilities! He is not asking them to “give up” their intelligence or strength or skill and become a diminished version of what they were. Rather, he is asking them to put the interests of others first: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). And because that is his goal, it fits the context to understand that he is using Christ as the supreme example of one who did just that: he put the interests of others first and was willing to give up some of the privilege and status that was his as God.”” [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Christ exemplifies self‑sacrifice, urging believers to prioritize others’ needs without losing personal gifts. **In simple terms:** Christ puts others first while keeping his abilities. Key Takeaway Practice self‑less service while using your talents. Themes service humility community spiritual growth Mood reflective encouraging Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - volunteer work - team leadership - mentorship - community service projects Key Concepts Christology ethical altruism personal identity Questions to Reflect On - How can you serve others without neglecting self? - What talents can you share for communal benefit? A Different Perspective May conflict with personal ambition or self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asking Philippian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-philippian-2106100/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Philippians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philippians/) [Philippians Imitate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philippians-imitate-2106101/) [Using Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/using-christ-2106102/) [Wants Philippians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wants-philippians-2106099/) ## Related quotes > [“Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/philippians-3-10-that-i-may-know-him-and-the-power-of-his/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [“Romans 8:28-39 , Psalm 23 , Philippians 4:4-7 and Matthew 6:25-34”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/romans-8-28-39-psalm-23-philippians-4-4-7-and-matthew-6-25-34/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/rejoice-in-the-lord-always-again-i-will-say-rejoice-philippians-4-4/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Be anxious for nothing. . . . And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/creflo-a-dollar/be-anxious-for-nothing-and-the-peace-of-god-which-passeth-all/) [Creflo A. Dollar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/creflo-a-dollar/) > [I can do all things through Christ who strenghthens me. Philippians 3:14](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-do-all-things-through-christ-who-strenghthens-me-philippians-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Paul declared in Philippians 3:8: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-stanley/paul-declared-in-philippians-3-8-i-count-all-things-to-be-loss-in/) [Charles F. Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-stanley/) > [“It has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him. Philippians 1:29”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/it-has-been-given-to-you-on-christ-s-behalf-not-only-to-believe-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [Philippians 1:21 is very special to me because it helps to keep my life centered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allyson-felix/philippians-1-21-is-very-special-to-me-because-it-helps-to-keep-my/) [Allyson Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allyson-felix/) > [“Whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need … I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12–13”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/whether-well-fed-or-hungry-whether-in-abundance-or-in-need-i-am-able/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-what-it-is-to-be-in-need-and-i-know-what-it-is-to-have-plenty/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/we-are-the-circumcision-the-ones-who-serve-by-the-spirit-of-god-boast/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. \[Philippians 1:9\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-this-i-pray-that-your-love-may-abound-still-more-and-more-in-real-2/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“I realized that unforgiveness was a spiritual and emotional poison and that it hurt me more than it hurt anybody else! Instead of living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelley-lubben/i-realized-that-unforgiveness-was-a-spiritual-and-emotional-poison/) [Shelley Lubben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelley-lubben/) > [“Allow ourselves to complain of nothing, not even the weather. (Philippians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 10:10) • Never picture ourselves in any circumstances in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-wilson/allow-ourselves-to-complain-of-nothing-not-even-the-weather/) [Marilyn Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-wilson/) > [I love a statement by the apostle Paul, in the Book of Philippians in the Bible. I think the Corinthians had been writing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-love-a-statement-by-the-apostle-paul-in-the-book-of-philippians-in/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) ## More by Wayne A. Grudem > [“O send thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me, That he may touch mine eyes, and make me see: Show me the truth concealed within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/o-send-thy-spirit-lord-now-unto-me-that-he-may-touch-mine-eyes-and/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“fourth reason for this interpretation is seen in Paul’s purpose in this context. His purpose has been to persuade the Philippians that they should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/fourth-reason-for-this-interpretation-is-seen-in-paul-s-purpose-in/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“At first we might expect that New Testament prophets would be like the Old Testament prophets. But when we look through the New Testament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/at-first-we-might-expect-that-new-testament-prophets-would-be-like/) [Wayne A. 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Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“brings some blessings to unbelieving people. Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44), and since there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/brings-some-blessings-to-unbelieving-people-jesus-tells-us-love-your/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“matter what their differences on the details, all Christians who take the Bible as their final authority agree that the final and ultimate result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/matter-what-their-differences-on-the-details-all-christians-who-take/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“And when our observations of the natural world seem to conflict with our understanding of Scripture, we should look again at both, seeking to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/and-when-our-observations-of-the-natural-world-seem-to-conflict-with/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“Before we examine some of those questions in more detail, it is important to affirm the genuine evangelical standing of those who have differing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/before-we-examine-some-of-those-questions-in-more-detail-it-is/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“I think someone needs to say that it is doubtful that liberal theologians have given us any significant insights into the doctrinal teachings of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/i-think-someone-needs-to-say-that-it-is-doubtful-that-liberal/) [Wayne A. 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Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) > [“Sometimes it is easy to know what God’s will is and, therefore, to pray in accordance with his will. For example, if we pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-a-grudem/sometimes-it-is-easy-to-know-what-god-s-will-is-and-therefore-to-pray/) [Wayne A. Grudem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) [Explore all 30 Wayne A. Grudem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-a-grudem/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. 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