In the New Testament, which letter contains the hymn describing Christ as emptying himself?

In the New Testament, the Letter to the Philippians contains the hymn describing Christ as emptying himself.

Philippians 2:6–11 presents Christ as choosing humility, taking the form of a servant, and becoming obedient to death on a cross. The passage then describes God exalting him and giving him the name above every name. The phrase “emptied himself” is central to many translations.

The section is often called the Christ hymn because of its elevated poetic style and tightly structured movement from pre-existence to humiliation and exaltation. Scholars debate whether Paul composed it or adapted an earlier Christian hymn, but it is embedded in Paul’s letter.

Paul uses the passage to encourage humility and concern for others. The surrounding context asks believers to reject selfish ambition and adopt the self-giving attitude presented in Christ’s example.