EXEGESIS OF PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11

The Carmen Christi

Appliedapologetics.wordpress.comEXEGESIS OF PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11The Text6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped, 7but emptied himself by* taking the form of a slave, by* becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, 8he humbled himself by* becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. 9Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:6-11, LEB) Verse 6-a6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,

Verse 6-a6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,

Existing

Verse 6 existing to be in a state or circumstance, bepresent active participleThe first phrase of verse 6 sets the tone for the theological discussion to follow. Paul says that Christ was existing (huparchon) in the form of God. . . The participle is again timeless in that it does not point to any moment when Jesus started to exist . . . Christ has always been in the form of God.

James R. White. "The Pre-existence of Christ in Scripture, Patristics and Creed." Alpha and Omega Ministries.

Various Translators who, existing a in b (the) form c of-God, LEXICONa. pres. act. participle of (LN 13.77) (BAGD 2. p. 838): to exist [Ea, Ln, NTC, WEC; NASB], to be [Ea, HNTC, WBC; KJV, NAB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB], to subsist [Mou], to exist from eternity [ICC], to share from the beginning [TNT], to be by nature [Pl]. The phrase who, existing in the form of God is translated he always had the nature of God [TEV]. This verb means to be originally [Alf, WC], to be by nature [EGT, TH], to be from eternity [El], implying Christs pre-existence [Lg, Lt]; his eternal existence is also implied in the context [Lt]. The present tense indicates that this was a continuing condition [EBC, NTC, Pl, TH, WC] both in his preincarnate existence and his existence afterward [NIC]. Greenlee, J. H. (1992). An exegetical summary of Philippians. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.EXISTINGTimelessEternalExist by nature as GodThe participle here indicates that the Son eternally existed But how?Verse 6-a who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,

FORMJesus timelessly existed in the of Godform, outward appearance, shape,

(LN 58.2) (BAGD p. 528): form [BAGD, Ea, HNTC, Ln, NTC, Pl, WBC, WEC; KJV, NAB, NASB, NJB, NSV, REB], nature [LN; TEV], very nature [LN; NIV, TNT], a state of equality [ICC]. The phrase form of God is translated Gods manifested Being [Mou]. Greenlee, J. H. (1992). An exegetical summary of Philippians. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.

The form or nature that makes God, God.

Same word used in verse 7 regarding Jesus humanity

form of a slave

Jesus, being in the form of God, implies that His (hupostasews, Heb. 1:3) is fully divine, a claim that cannot be made by any mere creatureVarious TranslatorsThe interpretation of in Phil 2:67 as equivalent, in meaning or at least in reference, to o commands widespread allegiance among evangelical scholars as well. F. F. Bruce, for instance, follows Lightfoot in holding that the noun morphe implies not the external accidents but the essential attributes. Leon Morris, likewise, believes that, by describing Christ as , Paul unambiguously ascribes deity to him. It is not easy, writes Morris, to see being in the form of God as meaning anything less. I. H. Marshall, similarly, affirms that in Phil 2:67 there is described the way in which a being who had the nature of God renounced the privileges of that state and took on the form of a human servant of God. David J. MacLeod contends that in Phil 2:67 refers to nature or essence. In the view of Gerald Hawthorne, verse 6a indicates that Christ was God, possessed of the very nature of God. Gordon Fee identifies the phrases and as among the strongest expressions of Christs deity in the NT; and Richard Melick declares that the NIV correctly translates in the form of God as in very nature God.

Dennis W. Jowers, "The Meaning of Morphe in Philippians 2:6-7." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 49, no. 4 (December 2006), 763.)Phil 2:6-b6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped, Theme of PhilippiansTeaching PointWhat about robbery in the KJVas if Christ is NOT attempting to gain equality like the evil one?

Equal to GodQUESTIONWhat is meant by he considered the being equal with God as not something to be grasped? 1.He already was equal with God [Alf, Ea, EBC, El, GNC, HNTC, ICC, Lt, Mou, My, NIC, NTC, TNTC, WBC, WC, WEC; TNT]. 1.1He was willing to relinquish that existence of equality with God in order to come to earth as a human being [Alf, Ea, EBC, El, GNC, ICC, Lt, Mou, NIC, NTC, WC, WEC]: he did not regard his equality with God as something which he should hold on to. As such, this clause focuses the emphasis upon Christs utter unselfishness in laying aside his equality with God [Alf]. 1.2He was equal to God but subordinate to him [My]. He rejected any thought of taking advantage of his coming to earth to seize power and glory and no longer be subordinate to the Father [My, TNTC]; instead, he chose to secure this equality by his incarnation and humiliation [TNTC]. 1.3He did not accept the thought that being equal with God meant that he could take all power and glory to himself [WBC]. 1.4He did not consider that he was robbing God of his glory by being equal with God [Blm].

Greenlee, J. H. (1992). An exegetical summary of Philippians. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.

NIV 2011 Nails Itdid not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage

This fits the theme of Pauls Epistle perfectly

And while its not a literal translation, it does relay the thought of the apostle on this subjectVerse 6-b6who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,

equal

EQUALThe Son was/is equal to the FatherBut did not grasp on to His equality or consider it something to hold on to.

Boice states, Paul's use of this word in reference to Jesus teaches that Jesus is equal to God.

James M. Boice. Foundations of the Christian Faith. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1986, 269.

Isa with the FatherThe neuter singular form of this adjective is used as an adverb [BAGD, Bg, Ea, EBC, EGT, El, ICC, Lg, Ln, Lt, My, NTC]; it states the manner in which Christ existed [EBC, NTC]. This being equal with God implies the fullness and the exaltation of God [Bg], possessing the attributes and perfections of God the Father [Blm].

Greenlee, J. H. (1992). An exegetical summary of Philippians. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.

Summation of Verse 6Jesus timelessly existed (6a)Timelessly existed in the morphe of God (6a)He held isa with God = EQUAL (6b)But did not consider it something to be grasped for His own advantage (6b)

SEE VERSES 3-5

CONTEXT3Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty conceit, but in humility considering one another better than yourselves, 4each of you not looking out for your own interests, but also each of you for the interests of others. 5Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, This is what Jesus did in verse 6He did not count His equality with the Father as something to be held on to

VERSE 77but emptied himself by* taking the form of a slave, by* becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man,

Emptied

divestiture of position or prestige (BDAG, 539)Pauls figurative use of (kenow) is a veiling, but retention of the Divine glory and attributes of the eternal Son. Ps. 102:25-27Also note that Jesus did not consider His equality prior to His emptyingVerses 6-7 together demonstrate the two natures of ChristJohn 1:1 & 1:14The (kenow) took place not by a subtraction of Divine attributes, but rather, by the addition of human (morphe). This self emptying of Christ is explained by the use of two participles, (labwn, to take) and (genomenos, to be born, to become).Meaning, Jesus emptied Himself by additionBut DID NOT relinquish any of His divine attributes Wayne GrudemWe must first realize that no recognized teacher in the first 1,800 years of church history, including those who were native speakers of Greek, thought that emptied Himself in Phil. 2:7 meant that the Son of God gave up some of His divine attributes . . . the text does describe what Jesus did in this emptying; he did not do it by giving up any of his attributes, but rather by taking the form of a servant, that is, by coming to live as a man.

Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), 550. Scholar Translations Paul does not mean that Christ emptied himself of something, referring to either form or likeness [NIC, WBC, WC, WEC]. At his incarnation, he retained the form of God and he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave [NIC]. The sense is he poured himself out, denying himself of his rights for the sake of others [WBC, WC], thus indicating how complete his self-denial was [WEC]. It simply means he made himself nothing [WEC].

Greenlee, J. H. (1992). An exegetical summary of Philippians. Dallas, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics.

Verse 7The apostle goes on to explain the nature of true and absolute humility when he qualifies Jesus form and forfeited equality in verse 7 NOTE the relationship between 6-7

- (form [of] God) v. 6 - (form [of] slave) v. 7

If Jesus was truly a man, He was truly GodVerse 88he humbled himself by* becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross.

Note that this fits with Pauls theme to the Philippian church

Christ is divineForm of GodEqual to God BUTEmptied HimselfHumbled Himself

Follow the Pronouns He (Jesus) did not count equality to be graspedHe emptied HimselfHe took on human fleshHe became a slaveHe humbled Himself He demonstrated obedience He died the Cross Death

NO Coercion

VERSE 9Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name,

The conjunction (dio) translated For this reason by the NASB and Therefore by the ESV and Lexham grammatically summarizes all of the previous points (did not count equality v. 6, emptied himself v. 7, taking v. 7, being born v. 7, becoming obedient to the point of death v. 8) of Christs self humiliationVERSE 9Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (Jn 17:5)

For my sake alone I will act, for how can I allow my name to be defiled? I will not share my glory with anyone else! (Isa 48:11)VERSE 9Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name

the name or Hashem is utilized as a term for God in substitute of the divine name in Jewish literature

EXAMPLE: Thus saith Hashem to His Moshiach (Isa 45:1a, OJB)

VERSE 9This is also seen in the OT, where in Lev 24:11, the text reads;

The Israelite woman's son misused the Name and cursed, so they brought him to Moses. (Now his mother's name was Shelomith daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.) (Lev 24:11, NET)

Just one verse later, the Name is identified as YHWH (vs. 12)THE GREEK LXX24:11 (Lev 24:11, LXX)

= the nameTHE GREEK LXXLev 24:11 (LXX)

9 , (Phil 2:9, NA28)

Jews had a prohibition against the use of the divine name, opting rather to utilize substitutes such as G_D, Adonia and Elohim.One of these substitutes was that of hashem ) or the name)

And, not only does Jesus possess the name, but He also possesses the name above every name.And what is the name above every name?The Tetragrammaton15And God said again to Moses, So you must say to the Israelites, Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is my remembrance from generation to generation. (Ex 3:15, LEB)

The Tetragrammaton YHWH, the Lord, or Yahweh, the personal name of God and his most frequent designation in Scripture, occurring 5321 times in the OTScripture speaks of the Tetragrammaton as this glorious and fearful name (Deut 28:58) or simply the name (Lev 24:11). TWOT, 484

Kostenberger NotesThe Jews referred to God using substitutions for the divine name. Approved substitutions were called kinnuyim. The common substitutions were Lord (Adonai); the Name (Hb. Hashem); the Separate name; God's own name; and the name of four letters (tetragrammaton). In Phil 2: 9 Paul used the kinnuyim the name (with the definite article in Greek) and further described this name as that above every name. Every Jew in Philippi who heard this phrase would automatically recognize these words as an allusion to the divine name. Paul identified this supreme divine name in the confession Jesus Christ is Lord. Since the Greek title Lord (kyrios) was the translation of the name Yahweh in the OT and since the description name above every other name is a clear example of kinnuyim, Paul explicitly identified Jesus as God who possesses the very name of God Kostenberger, Cradle, Cross, Crown, 17626-17633.VERSE 1010so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth,

Coming out of a discussion regarding the name which is given to Jesus (now incarnate) The apostle equates Jesus name with that of YHWHsso at the name of JESUS

The Name of JesusMeaning, to profess or announce the name of Jesus is to proclaim or announce the name of YHWH

The apostle (or ancient hymn writer) reinforces this understand with a YHWH specific citation from Isa 45:23Verse 10-11a23I have sworn by myself; a word that shall not return has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness: Every knee shall kneel down to me; every tongue shall swear. (Isa 45:23, LEB)

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess (Phil 2:10-11a, ESV)

Verse 10-11a23I have sworn by myself; a word that shall not return has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness: Every knee shall kneel down to me; every tongue shall swear. (Isa 45:23, LEB)

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess (Phil 2:10-11a, ESV)

23I am swearing an oath according to myself: Unless righteousness shall go forth from my mouth, my words shall not turn back, because every knee shall bend to me, and every tongue shall swear by God, (Isa 45:23, LES-LXX)

Use of Isa 45:23This YHWH specific passage is applied to the Son, the one who holds the name above all names.And note what is being said about the Son, as James White explains.In context, this passage is specifically about Yahweh, the God of Israel . . . Yet Paul quotes from this passage and says that it is to Jesus that every knee shall bow . . . How can Paul say this? Does he believe in more than one God? Certainly not! But he realizes that both the Father and the Son are worthy of the name Yahweh. (White, Trinity, 128)VERSE 1111and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

QUESTION: What is the Bible of the 1st Century

And how was the name of God translated in that Bible? Isa 45:545:5I am Yahweh, and there is none besides me; besides me there is no god. (LEB)BHS 45:5

45:5I am the Lord, I have no peer, there is no God but me... (NET)45:5 (LXX)

Isa 45:5 (LXX) LORD THE GOD

Phil 2: 11 . (SBLGNT)LORD JESUS CHRIST

Jn 20:28 .THE LORD OF ME AND THE GOD OF ME

Jesus is YHWHSummary:Jesus is given the name (reserved for YHWH)Hes given the name above every name (reserved for YHWH)Isa 45:23 (specific YHWH text)Homage in Isa 45:23 c.f. Phil 2:10-11Use of Kurios (Lord LXX rendering of YHWH)Pauls intent: EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS YHWH To What End?to the glory of God the FatherTwo persons identified as YHWH/God in the verseJesus, the timeless morphe of God (v. 6)Jesus, equal to God (v. 6) 1. Identified as YHWH (vs. 9-11)God the Father (v. 11)

Perfect Trinitarian Unity John 17:5 c.f. 1:1b, 1:18c

QUESTIONS