But does it?

Jesus models the attitude that should mark the life of each member of the community: humble obedience. Thus the Philippian community is a to be a community marked by the cross. The community celebrates Jesus' death on the cross, and the cross also provides a symbol of the identity of the community. The community's identity is "cruciform," to use Michael Gorman's phrase. As the hymn portrays, its values contrast sharply with those of the ruling powers.—Matthew Gordley, New Testament Christological Hymns, pp 106&ndash7