"Becoming obedient even unto death" 

If I may direct you to my earlier "Post" in connection with this verse, "Posted" on September 30th, it might help.

"For let this mind be in you [individually] [or, "among you," [collectively] that was also in Christ Jesus. who subsisting in the form of God thought it not a thing to be grasped at to be on equality with God, but emptied Himself. taking a bondman's form, taking His place in the likeness of men, and having been found in figure as a man, humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8.

There is a controversy regarding the clause at the head of this address. I have found it to be of deep concern as touching the atoning death of God's lovely Son. of late I have heard it expressed in worship and I have been distressed.

I understand the thought expressed and the reason given for it; but the explanation does not satisfy me at all.

The difficulty concerns the end of the stated clause, "even unto death." There are those who (almost) demand that it should read, "up to" or "till death." The problem they "see" is it might suggest that the Lord Jesus obeyed death. Far be the thought! But this had never crossed my mind for a moment, not until it insinuated its way into my mind when hearing a brother intimate it in his prayer.

I have always quoted it during my life as a believer as it appears at the head of this paper. My difficulty is twofold, and I trust that I may be able to convey it with reverential awe.

Firstly: "Up to," or "till" surely that the Lord stopped short in His obedience!

Secondly that His death was not an act of obedience? Where does that leave us?  With an act of disobedience?    Perish such a blasphemous suggestion! But this translation leaves room for such an interpretation.

I unequivocally declare on the basis of Scripture that His death was an act of the most wonderful obedience. An act of obedience to the Father's will, nay even to His command.  John 10:17&18.

I as emphatically state that Christ was not subject to death; nor could death subjugate Him, it had no claim upon Him, no hold over Him, and no power against Him; He is, He was, the Lord of glory, very God Himself. 

But nevertheless I contend for the truth that He willingly submitted Himself to death, in perfect obedience to the will of His Father; but not until He had summoned death to come! Thus death was obedient to Him!  

"becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8. 

AV; J.N.D; W.K; R.V; all render this phrase as "unto death."

I think it is possible that G.C. Willis has "popularised" the phraseology "until death," in his book "Sacrifices of Joy," perhaps influenced by Dr. C.J. Vaughan's translation.

I must remark that there is much in Mr. Willis's book of devotion to Christ, and some helpful instruction. I bear this godly man no ill will.