Philippians 2:5-8: Edit history

Revision #6090

Philippians 2:5-8

English baseline before localization

Status: approved

Changes from the previous English revision

+ ## 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 not to explain doctrine but 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.

+ ## In the Korean Church

+ 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

+ - Philippians 2:9-11

+ - John 1:14

+ - 2 Corinthians 8:9

+ - Hebrews 2:14-17

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.

Full revision

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 not to explain doctrine but 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.

In the Korean Church

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

Philippians 2:9-11
John 1:14
2 Corinthians 8:9
Hebrews 2:14-17

Revision	Time (UTC)	Contributor	Summary	Status
#6091	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	Localized for English-speaking readers	approved
#6090	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	English baseline before localization	approved