September 11, 2025

“Emptying and Exaltation in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians”

The Letter to the Philippians is filled with Paul’s loving support and challenge that the community might be of one spirit and one soul, seeing in both Paul and in Christ examples of humility and strength through suffering. In this presentation, we will see that this is especially evident in Philippians Chapter 2, where Paul describes the kenosis (emptying) of Christ and his ultimate exaltation.

Biography

A Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa, Laurie Brink (Ph.D. University of Chicago) is Professor of New Testament Studies. She teaches courses in the Gospels, Acts, NT Letters, and Early Christian literature. She has authored several books and articles including the Reader’s Guide to Pauline Literature for the Anselm Academic Catholic Study Bible (2014).

Resources

• Laurie Brink presentation [2.3 MB PDF]
• Laurie Brink, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians , 3-CD series for Learn25, March, 2009. 
• Carolyn Osiek, Philippians and Philemon. Abingdon Commentary Series. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.

Reflection Questions

• What stood out to you most from the this  presentation/why?
• How does this presentation connect with your own experience/perspective?
• What questions or challenges does the presentation raise for you moving forward?