Philippians 2:7

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

a. ASV: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: But did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Amplified Bible: But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. ESV: But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

e. NASV: But emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and [h]being born in the likeness of men. [New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.]

1. “But made himself of no reputation…”

a. But [Strong: 235 alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. made…of no reputation [Strong: 2758 kenóō, ken-o'-o; from G2756; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify:—make (of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain.] [Zodhiates: to empty, make empty. (Romans 4:14, “make void”; 1 Corinthians 1:17, “make of none effect”; 1 Corinthians 9:15, “make void”; 2 Corinthians 9:3, “be in vain”.] 

1). [Rick Renner 12/23/16: The phrase “made himself of no reputation” comes from the Greek word kenos, which means to make empty, to evacuate, to vacate, to deprive, to divest, or to relinquish. Because it was impossible for God to appear to man as God, He had to change His outward form. The only way He could make this limited appearance as a man was to willfully, deliberately, and temporarily let go of all the attributes we usually think of when we consider the characteristics of God. For thirty-three years on this earth, God divested Himself of all His heavenly glory and “…took upon him the form of a servant…” (Philippians 2:7).]

2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 6/29/11 “Interestingly, morphe is also used to tell us that Jesus took on the "form" of a servant: "He made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus "voided" the morphe that He rightfully possessed as God and "received" (passive) the morphe of a servant or slave (doulos). Then, "in the likeness homoioma, similitude of men" He came to be ginomai, to come into existence." 

3). Other examples of the use of  G2758 kenoo:

a). Roman 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

b). 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

c). 1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

d). 2 Corinthians 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

c. himself [Strong: 1438 heautou heh-ow-too' from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

1). Many Christians are under the erroneous assumption that while Jesus was on earth he did miracles because he was God. The thinking is, “Of course he could heal and read minds and calm the sea. He was God!” A closer look at the Scriptures disputes that and reveals why he told his disciple to wait on their ministry until they were baptized in the Holy Ghost.  Of what did Jesus empty himself? Some scholars teach that when the Second Person of the Godhead became the form of a man He kept all his abilities or privileges of being God, that is His Omni-presence, His Omnipotence, His Omniscience, but the Scriptures do not bear this out. Some believe that when Jesus performed miracles He performed them as God, but again, the Scriptures do not bear this out. In most cases if not all, the groups and individuals who reject the doctrine of the kenosis of Christ also reject the doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. What the Scriptures do reveal is that all of the miracles Jesus performed can be explained as being demonstrations of the gifts of the Spirit listed under 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. When Jesus became a man He made Himself of none effect, he limited himself as far as the characteristics of Deity are concerned. He experienced hunger, Matthew 4:2; physical exhaustion and thirst, John 4:6. If he retained his Omnipotence Jesus would not have had to deal with these. Though John MacArthur is a believer, he is adamantly opposed to Pentecostal theology. The following is an example of the erroneous teaching that the miracles of Jesus were manifestations of His Deity.

a). John MacArthur: The 8th chapter through the 12th chapter is really, in many ways, critical to the understanding of the life of Christ and the message of Matthew.  For in this section, Matthew records a series of miracles performed by Jesus Christ.  There are countless thousands of miracles that are done, nine of which he singles out as examples of the power of Jesus Christ. They are really His credentials as the Messiah.  They are those signs which point convincingly to His deity, for only God can do the things that He does.  The sad part is that, after the miracles in chapters 8 and 9, after the preaching that occurs following that, the Jews conclude in chapter 12 that Jesus is of the devil. That was their conclusion.  So in many ways this becomes the heart of Matthew's message.  Christ does everything possible to manifest His deity, and they conclude exactly the opposite...Now you'll notice that it begins with three miracles:  miracle of healing the leper in the first four verses [Matthew 81-4]; healing the man with paralysis, verses 5 to 13 [Matthew 8:5-13]; and the woman with fever in verses 14 and 15 [Matthew 8:14-15]. This is the opening triad of miracles.  There are nine miracles in these two chapters.  They come in three sections of three:  three miracles, then a response; three miracles, then a response; three miracles, then a response; all designed to manifest the deity of Jesus Christ. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2257/jesus-power-over-disease-part-1 

2). Of what then, did Jesus empty himself of when He became man? Jesus emptied himself of the glory of the Godhead that he had before his incarnation, before the world was created. 

a). John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

3). Jesus emptied himself of his Omnipotence while on earth, this included his Lordship. When he ministered on earth he ministered as a man anointed and led by the Holy Ghost. All of the manifestations of the miraculous can be explained as manifestations of the gifts and operations of the Holy Ghost. Jesus did not do one miracle until after he was filled with the Holy Ghost.

      

a). Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

b). Luke 4:16-21 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 

4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 

4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

c). Matthew 12:22-28 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the Son of David? 

12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of devils. 

12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 

12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 

12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 

12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

3). Jesus emptied Himself of his Omniscience. As a man he increased in wisdom and knowledge.

a). Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

b). Hebrews 5:7 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

c). Isaiah 7:14-16 Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 

7:16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

4). Though He emptied himself of His Omniscience, Jesus was so full of wisdom that even at the age of twelve he astonished the doctors of the law in his day: “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” Luke 2:46, 47.

a). Jesus did not ask questions just because he didn’t know. I’m sure some of the questions he asked were to find answers, but some of the questions he asked had answers he already knew.

(1). Matthew 21:23-27 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

(2). Matthew 22:41-46 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

22:43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

 b). This is I’m sure the nature of some of the questions Jesus asked and it was these type of questions that blew away the doctors of the law that Jesus was sitting among.  

5). In light of the above fact that Jesus laid aside his Omniscience [all-knowing characteristic of Deity], parts of Psalm 119 are surely Messianic and apply to Jesus life specifically. 

a). Psalm 119:97-100 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

6). Jesus emptied himself of His Omnipresence. In his earthly life he could only be at one place at a time.

3. “…and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

      

a. [and] took upon him [Strong: 2983 lambánō, lam-ban'-o; a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):—accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, × when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).]

b. [the] form [Strong: 3444 morphḗ, mor-fay'; perhaps from the base of G3313 (through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively, nature:—form.]

c. [of a] servant [Strong: 1401 doûlos, doo'-los; from G1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):—bond(-man), servant.]

d. [and was] made [Strong: 1096 gínomai, ghin'-om-ahee; a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):—arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, × soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.]

e. in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. likeness [Strong: 3667 homoíōma, hom-oy'-o-mah; from G3666; a form; abstractly, resemblance:—made like to, likeness, shape, similitude.]

g. men [Strong: 444 ánthrōpos, anth'-ro-pos; from G435 and ὤψ ṓps (the countenance; from G3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:—certain, man.]

1). Some of the reasons for Jesus becoming a man are listed in Hebrews. 

a). Hebrews 2:14-18: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 

2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

b). Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

2). In this whole lesson we can see that though Jesus emptied himself of his God-like abilities, He was still 100% God, but also 100% man. One of the main reasons Jesus emptied himself was to demonstrate how we should walk as believers, as men and women filled with the Holy Ghost and fulfilling the great commission.