Philippians 2:6-7
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The verse highlights that Christ already possessed equality with God before his incarnation, not merely an appearance or a potential, but a genuine state of being. The crucial insight is that "grasping" implies a greedy desire to seize something that doesn't rightfully belong to you; Christ, however, saw his equality with God not as a prize to cling to, but as his inherent possession, which he willingly set aside.
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in humility, unity, and selfless love by looking to the example of Jesus Christ. He begins by describing Christ's pre-incarnate existence as divine, then details his voluntary humiliation in becoming human, suffering, and dying on the cross. This setup highlights how Jesus, fully God, willingly gave up his divine privileges and status for humanity's sake.
What does it truly mean for Jesus to be 'in the form of God'? It's more than just appearance; it speaks to His very essence.
When Paul says Jesus was 'in the form of God' (ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων), he's not talking about a shape or outward appearance. The word 'form' (morphe) here refers to the essential nature, the very being and character of God. It's the perfect expression of the divine essence.
This means Jesus, before His earthly life, existed as fully God, sharing the divine nature and glory with the Father. It's a reality so profound, it's hard for us to grasp, described as the 'splendor' or 'majesty' of God, fully expressed.
This wasn't a temporary state or a mere delegation of power. It points to His eternal existence as God.
If Jesus was already God, why does Paul say He 'did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped'? It sounds like a paradox!
The phrase 'did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped' (οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα Θεῷ) is crucial. It doesn't mean Jesus wasn't equal with God – the verse starts by affirming He was in the form of God. Instead, it means He didn't cling to that divine status as something to be hoarded or fought for.
Think of it this way: He possessed equality with God by His very nature. He didn't need to seize it or desperately hold onto it.
The emphasis here is on His voluntary humility. He saw His divine equality not as a prize to be defended at all costs, but as something He could willingly set aside for a greater purpose: redemption.
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Understand the original words
morphē · Greek Noun
The essential nature, character, or external manifestation of something that perfectly reflects its inner essence. When applied to God, it signifies the fullness of divine nature.
isa · Greek Adjective (adverbial use)
The state of being equal in nature, dignity, and authority. Here it refers to Christ’s inherent, pre-existent status as fully God.
harpagmos · Greek Noun
Something to be seized, snatched, or held onto for one's own advantage. Christ did not view his divine prerogative as something to be selfishly clutched at the expense of his mission.
ekenōsen · Greek Verb
To make empty; to pour out. In this context, it signifies Christ voluntarily setting aside his divine glory and privileges, not his divine nature, to take on human nature.
doulou · Greek Noun
A slave or bond-servant; one whose will is entirely surrendered to the will of another. Christ assumed the role of the ultimate servant of God and humanity.
homoiōmati · Greek Noun
A close resemblance or appearance that corresponds to reality. It indicates that Christ became truly and authentically human, sharing in the human experience.
The verse highlights Christ's voluntary humility, emphasizing that His divine equality was not something He clung to but something He willingly set aside for humanity's salvation. This act of profound self-emptying, rooted in His pre-existent divine nature, serves as the ultimate model for believers.
Pre-existence of Christ— this verse
Christ's Divine Form
Before His incarnation, Christ existed in the 'form of God,' possessing divine essence, nature, and glory, equal with the Father. This divine status was not something He grasped or claimed but was inherent to His being.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
During His earthly life, Jesus demonstrated His divine nature through His teachings, miracles, and ultimately His sacrificial death, fulfilling His mission of salvation.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment
The Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians while imprisoned, likely in Rome, addressing a church he had a close relationship with.
c. 60-62 AD
Writing of Philippians
Paul penned this letter to encourage the Philippian believers, urging them towards unity, joy, and Christ-like humility in the face of suffering and opposition.
This passage declares that 'the Word was God,' directly paralleling the idea of Christ's divine nature before His incarnation as described in Philippians 2:6.
John 17:5Jesus prays to the Father to 'glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world was,' aligning with the concept of Christ's pre-existent glory and equality with God.
Colossians 1:15This verse calls Christ 'the image of the invisible God,' reinforcing the idea that He shared God's very nature and form, which He then voluntarily set aside.
2 Corinthians 8:9Paul states, 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sake,' directly illustrating the voluntary self-emptying and humbling that stems from His divine equality.
Hebrews 1:3Christ is described as 'the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature,' speaking to His intrinsic divine form and essence, from which He descended in His incarnation.
vincentPhilippians 2:6: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
Being in the form of God (ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων)Being. Not the simple είναι to be, but stronger, denoting being which is from the beginning. See on James 2:15. It has a backward look into an antecedent condition, which has been protracted into the present. Here appropriate to the preincarnate being of Christ, to which the sentence refers. In itself it does not imply eternal, but only prior exis…
barnesPhilippians 2:6: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
Who, being in the form of God - There is scarcely any passage in the New Testament which has given rise to more discussion than this. The importance of the passage on the question of the divinity of the Saviour will be perceived at once, and no small part of the point of the appeal by the apostle depends, as will be seen, in the fact that Paul regarded the Redeemer as equal with God. If he was truly d…
The verse highlights that Christ already possessed equality with God before his incarnation, not merely an appearance or a potential, but a genuine state of being. The crucial insight is that "grasping" implies a greedy desire to seize something that doesn't rightfully belong to you; Christ, however, saw his equality with God not as a prize to cling to, but as his inherent possession, which he willingly set aside.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in humility, unity, and selfless love by looking to the example of Jesus Christ. He begins by describing Christ's pre-incarnate existence as divine, then details his voluntary humiliation in becoming human, suffering, and dying on the cross. This setup highlights how Jesus, fully God, willingly gave up his divine privileges and status for humanity's sake.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in humility, unity, and selfless love by looking to the example of Jesus Christ. He begins by describing Christ's pre-incarnate existence as divine, then details his voluntary humiliation in becoming human, suffering, and dying on the cross. This setup highlights how Jesus, fully God, willingly gave up his divine privileges and status for humanity's sake.
"who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." — The verse highlights that Christ already possessed equality with God before his incarnation, not merely an appearance or a potential, but a genuine state of being. The crucial insight is that "gras…
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Last reviewed October 2026
