Overview

This section traces Christ’s two estates — His humiliation (Q46–50) and His exaltation (Q51–56) — in fuller detail than the Shorter Catechism. It follows His descent (conception in a low condition, the miseries of life, the wrath of God, the cursed death of the cross, burial, and continuing under death) and His ascent (resurrection, ascension, session at God’s right hand, and return to judge). It is the gospel narrated as a journey from the depths to the heights.

The Questions & Answers

Q46. What was the estate of Christ’s humiliation? A. The estate of Christ’s humiliation was that low condition, wherein he, for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…though he was in the form of God… emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” (Phil. 2:6–8, ESV)

Q48. How did Christ humble himself in his life? A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law, which he perfectly fulfilled; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world, temptations of Satan, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.” (Gal. 4:4, ESV)

“…in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15; cf. 12:2–3, ESV)

Q49. How did Christ humble himself in his death? A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God’s wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matt. 27:46, ESV)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Gal. 3:13, ESV)

Further proofs: Isa. 53:2–12; Luke 22:44; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 12:2.

Q51. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation? A. The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Phil. 2:9, ESV)

Q52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection? A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held), and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof… he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice… and to be Lord of quick and dead.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…and was declared to be the Son of God in power… by his resurrection from the dead.” (Rom. 1:4, ESV)

“…who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25, ESV)

Further proofs: Acts 2:24, 27; 1 Cor. 15:3–4, 20–22; Rom. 14:9.

Q53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension? A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles… he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (Eph. 4:8, ESV)

“…I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2–3, ESV)

Further proofs: Acts 1:9–11; Heb. 6:20; Col. 3:1–2.

Exposition: The two estates structure the whole gospel. In His humiliation (Q46–50), the Son emptied Himself of glory (not of deity), took “the form of a servant,” was born low, “subjected himself to the law, which he perfectly fulfilled” (His active obedience — crucial for justification), and in His death bore “the weight of God’s wrath” and “the cursed death of the cross” (His passive obedience). The cry of dereliction (Matt. 27:46) marks the depth of His bearing our curse (Gal. 3:13). In His exaltation (Q51–56), He rose “by his own power” with the same glorified body, declaring Himself God’s Son and our justice satisfied (Q52); ascended “in our nature, and as our head” to prepare a place for us (Q53); sits at God’s right hand interceding and ruling (Q54); and will return to judge (Q56). His descent was for us; His ascent secures us.

Connections

• WSC Q27–28 — Christ’s humiliation and exaltation in briefer form.
• WCF 8.2–4 (the incarnation, His willing obedience, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession).
• Loci: Christology (the two estates: humiliation and exaltation); the active and passive obedience of Christ; the resurrection and ascension.

Pastoral & Practical Significance

Christ’s two estates are a deep well of comfort. His humiliation means He has gone before you into every depth: betrayed, forsaken, scorned, tempted, sorrowful unto death, and — most wonderfully — bearing the wrath your sin deserved, so that no condemnation remains for you (Rom. 8:1). When you suffer, you do not suffer alone; your Savior descended lower than you ever will, and out of love. And His perfect law-keeping in His humiliation (Q48) is the righteousness now reckoned to you in justification. His exaltation means your salvation is secure and your future certain: He rose “for our justification” (so His resurrection is the receipt that your debt is paid), ascended “as our head… to prepare a place for us” (so where He is, you will be), and reigns and intercedes for you now. Christ’s path from humiliation to exaltation is the pattern of the believer’s own life — through suffering to glory — and the guarantee that the One who descended for us will surely raise us to be with Him.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q46 and Q51 (the two estates); anchor verses: Philippians 2:8 and 2:9. Q49 and Q52 reward meditation.
• Christ descended lower than I ever will, bearing God’s wrath in my place. How does His humiliation comfort me in suffering and assure me of pardon?
• He ascended “as our head… to prepare a place for us.” How does His exaltation secure my hope?