Philippians 2:5-8 ASV Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:". The American Standard Version of 1901 chooses to render the active voice of the verb as found in the oldest available manuscripts. Rather than the familiar passive, "Let this mind be in you …", of the long available manuscripts of later origin.
Providence appears to desire that we consider both the active and passive aspects of the use by the born again Christian of that great supernatural gift and blessing, the Mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 LITV [of Jay P. Greene] (14) But a natural man [literally, "a soulish man", as opposed to "the spiritual one" in verse 15, "a natural" or "soulish man"] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) But the spiritual one discerns all things, but he is discerned by no one. (16) For "who has known the mind of the Lord [(meaing"Jehovah")]?" "Who will teach Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Isaiah 40:13 is noted by the translator as the source of the two questions in verse 16:
Isaiah 40:13 DRB Who hath forwarded the spirit of the Lord [(literally Jehovah)]? or who hath been his counsellor, and hath taught him?
The context in Isaiah speaks of the absolute spiritual poverty of the Gentiles. How different it is for those Gentiles who, from the first century on, have been freely given the Mind of Christ.
Like Faith, Hope, and Love, the Mind of Christ is one of the great supernatural gifts and blessings that are the heavenly treasure of the born again. These gifts and blessings are fully accessible through the fleshly veil that was torn asunder at Golgotha. The Mind of Christ has been freely given, in order to be freely used.
Philippians 4:8 LITV For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever honorable, whatever is right, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever of good report, if of any virtue, and if of any praise, think on these things.
Those who possess the Mind of Christ are able to judge what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, reputable, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
And the spirit of that life which is in Christ Jesus provides the freedom to think on these things.
