Philippians — the Christ Hymn
The leaf that carries the Christ Hymn — “every knee should bow… every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” — reproduced at true scale on genuine Egyptian papyrus in a front-and-back acrylic frame.
Verso: Phil 1:30–2:12
(Chester Beatty Papyri)
Library, Dublin
The hymn the church
has sung for centuries.
This single leaf carries one of the most exalted passages in all of Scripture. The recto finds Paul in prison, yet full of joy: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” urging the Philippians to live “worthy of the Good News of Christ” and to “stand firm in one spirit, with one soul.”
Turn the leaf and Paul rises into the Christ Hymn — Christ “existing in the form of God… emptied himself, taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.” And then the turn: “Therefore God also highly exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” It closes with Paul's charge to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
From Paul's pen to yours
From “to live is Christ” to the Christ Hymn
The recto has Paul in chains — “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”; the verso rises into the Christ Hymn of Christ's humility and exaltation.
Philippians 1:21, 27
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ… that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News.”
Philippians 2:6–11
“who, existing in the form of God… emptied himself, taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Made by hand, made to order.
Philippians 2:6–11 is where the church has long anchored its confession of Christ's humility and exaltation — widely thought to be an early hymn Paul takes up into his letter. P46 preserves this passage from within roughly a century and a half of Paul, and its readings feed directly into modern critical editions of the Greek New Testament (NA28, UBS5). Alongside the hymn, this leaf preserves Paul's witness from prison — “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” — and his charge to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
5 out of 5
Just a layman with an interest in textual criticism. This is an awesome piece in my study. p46 includes some great examples of the nomina sacra which are good points of interest to point out to friends. Looking at this piece is a good reminder of how we are connected to our fellow believers, even 1800 years later.
Thank you so much. My husband and I both love the Bible and are continually grateful to God for preserving the manuscripts for us all. To see this facsimile of P46 is so inspiring and special. The advertisement I heard by Wes Huff was true to its word in all ways: quality, delivery time, communication of the process and ease of ordering website. If you love the Bible and the history then this is a unique and special gift to have.
You guys have done a fantastic job on both manuscripts I ordered. They're both incredible assets to my ministry. Thank you!
Exquisite quality, carefully packaged and delivered faster than I had expected. This manuscript surpassed my expectations, and I pray it may serve to initiate many conversations with guests who see it in my home. Thank you!
Outstanding, I appreciate the work which has made it available, Thank You
Common questions
Is the display stand included?
The stand is optional. Choose “Add display stand” (+$20) to have it shown upright as in the photos, or “Replica only” for the framed piece on its own.
Is it really made on papyrus?
Yes — every replica is reproduced on genuine Egyptian papyrus, then framed by hand in a front-and-back acrylic display.
How long does it take to ship?
Each piece is made to order through a multi-week hand-replication process. Your exact timeline is shown at checkout, and we ship to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Can I see the text translated?
Yes — every leaf has a companion reading page with a full interlinear transcription and translation, letter by letter, including the Christ Hymn of Philippians 2.
The Christ Hymn —
on your shelf.
Museum-grade, made to order, and framed to be read from both sides.
