What does Philippians 2:7 mean?

Explanation

Philippians 2:7 refers to Jesus Christ and his act of humbling himself. Paul the Apostle writes that Jesus, despite his divine nature, did not cling to the privileges of his divinity. Instead, he willingly chose to take on the nature of a servant and be born in human likeness.

This verse speaks to the concept of kenosis, which comes from the Greek verb used in this passage meaning "to empty." The verse indicates that Jesus "emptied himself" of his divine prerogatives to fully engage with the human condition and be obedient to God's will, even to the point of death.

Historical Context

Philippians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Philippi, a Roman colony in ancient Macedonia, around 60-62 A.D.

The church in Philippi was largely made up of Gentiles and was one of the communities of Christians that Paul had a strong relationship with.

The epistle is often characterized by its tone of joy and encouragement despite being written from imprisonment.

Paul encourages the Philippian Christians to live in unity and to emulate Christ's humility.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is significant in Christian thought because:

• It outlines the doctrine of Christ's incarnation, one of the central tenets of Christianity.
• It illustrates the notion of kenosis, Christ voluntarily relinquishing some aspects of his divine nature to become fully human.
• It serves as a foundation for discussions on the dual nature of Christ, being both fully God and fully man.
• It is often cited in teachings about Christian humility and self-sacrificing love.

Different theological traditions interpret the extent and nature of Christ's self-emptying differently. For example, some argue that Christ gave up the independent exercise of his divine attributes, while others suggest a more metaphorical interpretation.

Practical Applications

Philippians 2:7 can be applied in various ways such as:

• Inspiring acts of service and selflessness in everyday life.
• Encouraging believers to adopt an attitude of humility by not clinging to status or privilege.
• Reminding Christians to be compassionate and empathetic by engaging with others' experiences.

Cross-References

• Matthew 20:28: "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
• John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
• 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Language Study

In the original Greek:

• "made himself of no reputation" is translated from the word "ekenosen," meaning "he emptied" or "made void."
• "form" comes from "morphē," referring to the nature or essence of something.
• The term "servant" is derived from "doulos," signifying a slave or one who is in a position to obey commands.
• "likeness of men" involves the word "homoioma," suggesting similarity or having the same form as others.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient religious narratives, the Christian concept of God becoming fully human is unique.

Many myths involve gods taking on human form but not fully partaking in the human condition. For example, in Greek mythology, gods would often appear human to interact with mortals, but they did not relinquish their divinity or truly suffer as humans do.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of a divine being taking on human form does not fall within the purview of scientific inquiry, as it is a matter of religious belief.

However, from the standpoint of psychology, one might explore the human capacity for empathy, selflessness, and the effects of role models that exhibit these behaviors, such as the figure of Jesus in this verse.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have provided commentaries on Philippians 2:7:

• Some, like Matthew Henry, emphasize the extent of Christ's humility and the impact of his example for believers.
• Others, like John Calvin, discuss the dual nature of Christ, affirming his divinity while emphasizing his manifestation in human form.
• Modern theologians might focus on the paradox of kenosis, exploring how Christ could be both fully divine and fully human without contradiction.