Date

8-20-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Myron Kauk

Keywords

Isaiah, Philippians, Servant, Christ, suffering, kenosis

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

There is much written about the Suffering Servant passage in Isaiah and the Christ Hymn in Philippians. This dissertation examines the incarnational and Christological relationship between the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and the Christ Hymn of Philippians 2:5–11. The common themes in both passages are incarnation, humiliation, obedient suffering, substitutionary atonement, exaltation, and divine vindication. This study also evaluates major scholarly interpretations regarding the identity of the Servant in Isaiah and the extent to which Paul intentionally appropriates Isaianic servant imagery in Philippians 2. While acknowledging the influence of Isaiah 45:23 on Philippians 2:9–11, this dissertation argues that Isaiah 52:13–53:12 provides the primary theological framework for Paul’s many portrayals of Christ’s incarnation, obedient death, and exaltation. By demonstrating the theological continuity between Isaiah’s Servant and Paul’s depiction of Christ, this study contributes to the understanding of Pauline Christology, the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament, and the unity of Scripture by showing that Paul is reciting the servant passage in His description of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant.

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