Philippians 2

Jesus Emptied Himself

Philippians 2:6-8 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross

Introduction

There are several misunderstandings about this passage.

First – put this passage under the microscope

Then – We will back away and see what it is teaching

MICROSCOPE

We will look at the important words in Philippians 2:6-8

FORM – v. 6 (being in the form of God) & 7 (taking the form of a bondservant)

The same word is used in Mark 16:12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.

MICROSCOPE

FORM

ROBBERY v. 2 did not consider it robbery

This is an error in translation

Most translations say “a thing to be grasped”

Jesus was not robbed

He saw that he could let go

MICROSCOPE

FORM

ROBBERY

EQUAL – 2 to be equal with God

Somthing that is like another thing, the same, equal, in agreement

MICROSCOPE

FORM

ROBBERY

EQUAL

MADE – v. 7 but made Himself

To make or become – Mark 1:7 “become fishers of men”

MICROSCOPE

FORM ROBBERY

EQUAL MADE

EMPTIED – v. 7 of no reputation (KJV, NKJV)

Greek word – To be void, of no value, to lower or reduce

MICROSCOPE

FORM ROBBERY

EQUAL MADE

EMPTIED

LIKENESS – v. 7 coming in the likeness of men

To be alike in some aspect – Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

MICROSCOPE

FORM ROBBERY

EQUAL MADE

EMPTIED LIKENESS

FASHION – v. 8 And being found in appearance as a man

Fashion (KJV) = manner, charater, figure, form – 1 Corinthians 7:31b For the form of this world is passing away.

BACK AWAY

Sometimes we look too close and can't see the real message

“We can't see the forest because all the trees are in the way.”

What does Paul want the Philippians to understand and do ?

Have the mind of Christ – v. 5

Focus on the cross – vs. 9-11

BACK AWAY

Philippians 2:6-9 is not about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

This passage is about His cross

V. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

BACK AWAY

NOTICE :He humbled himselfHe was obedient unto deathDeath of the cross

BACK AWAY

We must understand the sacrifice and suffering of Christ.

He was over the angels

Now he is in submission to human weakness

He was immortal and eternal but became subject to death