Philippians 2:5-8
Bible Verses. Also called Philippians 2:5–8, Phil. 2:5-8, Christ Hymn, Emptied Himself, Made Himself of No Reputation, Kenosis, Let This Mind Be in You.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Scripture quotation from the King James Version (KJV). Read this chapter
A passage stating that Christ, though equal with God, "made himself of no reputation" (literally, "emptied himself"), took upon him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death on the cross. It is the New Testament's most concentrated presentation of Christ's humiliation and became the starting point of the kenosis debate.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Context
Philippians is a letter that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned. In the opening verses of chapter 2 (2:1-4), Paul urges the believers to be of one mind, to do nothing through strife or vainglory, and in lowliness of mind to esteem others better than themselves. Verse 5 grounds this exhortation in the mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," and verses 6-11 describe, in almost hymnlike fashion, how Christ humbled himself (vv. 6-8) and was then exalted (vv. 9-11). Because of its rhythmic phrasing, many scholars regard the passage as an early Christian hymn, though they disagree over whether Paul quoted an existing hymn or composed it himself.
Interpretation
- As a confession of the Incarnation: This reading takes the passage to mean that the one who was in the "form" of God (Greek morphē) took upon himself "the form of a servant." It holds that what he emptied himself of was not his deity itself; rather, he laid aside his divine glory and privileges. This reading connects with the confession, formulated by the Council of Chalcedon, that Christ is truly God and truly man, and most denominations follow it.
- As a contrast with Adam: This reading sees a contrast between Adam, who sought to become like God, and Christ, who did not seek to grasp equality with God. It takes Genesis 3 as its background.
- As an ethical example: Because the context concerns humility and unity within the church, this reading holds that the passage's primary purpose is less to explain doctrine than to present the mindset believers are to imitate.
Debates and Disputed Questions
The term kenosis derives from the Greek verb kenoō, rendered "made himself of no reputation" (literally, "emptied himself"). In the nineteenth century, some German Lutheran and British theologians advanced a "kenotic Christology," holding that in the Incarnation Christ voluntarily laid aside divine attributes such as omniscience and omnipotence. Defenders of orthodox Christology criticize this view for diminishing Christ's deity, explaining instead that Christ retained his divine nature while "adding" a human nature. Another long-standing translation question concerns the word rendered "robbery" in verse 6 (harpagmos): whether it refers to holding on to something already possessed or to seizing something not yet possessed.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestant churches, the passage is frequently used in Christmas and Holy Week sermons and is also commonly cited in ordination and installation sermons on the servanthood of pastors and church officers.
Related Passages
See also 6
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