Ok, Maybe you are like me and prefer to "expand your piety" as certain besmirching brethren might classify it. But I have trouble thinking that the NASB, NIV or other translations who read Philippians 2:8 as "a cross" have really captured the significance of "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal.6:14) in the passage here. Besides detracting from Christ's divinity as we pointed out here; take a look at this:
NIV And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
NASB Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
KJV And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
'Expanding piety' aside, let us consider that although Christ died on a cross at the hands of the Romans to fulfill prophecies related to being pierced through his hands and feet and side (Psa.22:16, Zech.12:10) and not stoned by the Jews so that "A bone of him shall not be broken" (Jn.19:36, Num.9:12); Jesus died on his cross (Col.1:20).
His cross was not just a cross like all the others that men were slain on. Christ was not afraid of what the Romans were going to do to him on a cross (Mt.10:28). But he did fear God (Heb.5:7) whose wrath he was going to drink deeply into from the cup of his indignation while he was accursed and hanging on a tree (Gal.3:13) for us. This was why he sweat blood in the garden when his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death (Lk.22:42-44, Mt.26:38). And so the death of a cross was what men could inflict upon men; but his cross was what God would afflict upon him in our stead when his soul was made an offering for sin (Isa.53:10). Pilate had power to crucify on a cross (Jn.19:10-11) but Christ was stricken, smitten of God and afflicted (Isa.53:4).
The ASV, NKJV, Geneva, Wycliffe, Tyndale, Darby, Douay, ERV, also translate 'the cross' so it is a possible translation. I can hear the crowing from the new bible crowd about 'the cross' here (Jn.19:31) and 'a tree' there (Gal.3:13, Ac.5:30, 10:39). But the cross of Jesus (Jn.19:25) was his final descent from the throne of God in heaven (Jn.1:1-2, Phil.2:5-7) where in the body of his flesh he was forsaken by God (Mk.15:34, Psa.22:1) beyond what men could do; it was an offering made by fire (Ex.29:39-41, Lam.1:12-3). He stepped out of heavenly glory (Jn.17:5) robed himself with flesh and blood (Heb.2:14), endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb.12:2).
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
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