Philippians 2:7-8
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "likeness of men" is crucial because it highlights that Jesus didn't just look like a human, but truly became one, sharing in our actual human experience with all its vulnerabilities, a humility far deeper than simply appearing human. This wasn't a disguise; it was a genuine assumption of humanity.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live with humility and consider others as more important than themselves, pointing to Christ as the ultimate example. This instruction is set within a plea for unity within the church, contrasting the self-seeking attitude that causes division with Christ’s radical self-emptying. The verse describes the profound descent of Jesus from divine glory, not as a loss of His divine nature, but as a voluntary relinquishing of divine prerogatives to take on human form as a servant.
When we hear 'emptied himself,' our minds might go to loss or lack. But what if this 'emptying' was actually a profound act of divine control, choosing not to display His full glory?
Paul uses the word 'emptied' (kenosis) here, a term that sends theologians into deep discussion! The key is understanding what Christ didn't do. He didn't give up His divine nature – that's impossible!
Instead, he voluntarily set aside the outward manifestations of His divine glory and prerogatives. Think of it like a king choosing to wear simple clothes and walk among his subjects, not to become a commoner, but to live among them incognito. He laid aside the symbols and expressions of His heavenly status, not His essential deity. This was a deliberate act of His free will, choosing service over sovereignty, humility over honor.
Jesus took the 'form of a servant.' What does this really mean? Was it just about being nice, or was it a fundamental shift in His very being and purpose?
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The word for 'form' here is the same used for 'form of God.' This isn't just about outward appearance; it speaks to the very essence or fundamental reality of who Christ was in His incarnate state. He didn't just act like a servant; He became the reality of a servant.
This wasn't a temporary disguise. It was a chosen state, a deliberate assumption of a role defined by service. While He retained His divine nature, His mode of existence and expression became that of a servant. This points to His ultimate purpose: not to rule or to be served, but to serve humanity, fulfilling God's plan in the humblest of ways.
The text says Jesus was 'made in the likeness of men.' Does this imply He wasn't fully human? Or does it point to something even more profound about His human experience?
The phrase 'likeness of men' is carefully chosen. It affirms Jesus' genuine humanity – He truly became one of us. He experienced human life, with all its joys, sorrows, limitations, and temptations.
However, 'likeness' here also distinguishes Him. While fully human, He was not just human. He was uniquely God in human form. This 'likeness' allowed Him to relate to us perfectly, to be our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), while His divine nature meant He was never fundamentally the same as sinful humanity. He shared our condition without sharing our sin.
Understand the original words
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.
etapeinōsen · Greek Verb
The act of lowering one's status or pride. It is a fundamental Christian virtue characterized by a willing submission to God’s plan and a disregard for self-exaltation.
hypēkoos · Greek Adjective
The quality of being compliant or yielding to the will of another. Christ’s obedience was a perfect, active submission to the Father’s redemptive purpose.
staurou · Greek Noun
The most shameful, painful, and public form of execution in the Roman world, reserved for criminals and rebels. Christ’s submission to it highlights the depths of his sacrifice and rejection by the world.
This passage describes the Suffering Servant, often seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's humility and suffering, aligning with the 'form of a servant' that Jesus took on.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, directly echoing the concept of Christ 'being made in the likeness of men' while retaining His divine fullness.
Matthew 20:28Here, Jesus explicitly states His purpose was not to be served but to serve, which is a direct manifestation of taking the 'form of a servant' described in Philippians.
Luke 22:27Jesus again emphasizes His servant role, stating, 'I am among you as one who serves,' reinforcing the practical outworking of His 'emptying Himself' for humanity.
Genesis 1:26This verse describes humanity being made in God's image, providing a contrast to Christ taking the 'likeness of men,' highlighting the profound descent from divine image to human likeness.
vincentPhilippians 2:7: "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
Made Himself of no reputation (ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν).Lit., emptied Himself. The general sense is that He divested Himself of that peculiar mode of existence which was proper and peculiar to Him as one with God. He laid aside the form of God. In so doing, He did not divest Himself of His divine nature. The change was a change of state: the form of a servant for the f…
barnesPhilippians 2:7: "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
But made himself of no reputation - This translation by no means conveys the sense of the original According to this it would seem that he consented to be without distinction or honor among people; or that he was willing to be despised or disregarded. The Greek is ἑαυτον ἐκένωσεν heauton ekenōsen. The word κενόω kenoō means literally, to empty, "to make emp…
The phrase "likeness of men" is crucial because it highlights that Jesus didn't just look like a human, but truly became one, sharing in our actual human experience with all its vulnerabilities, a humility far deeper than simply appearing human. This wasn't a disguise; it was a genuine assumption of humanity.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live with humility and consider others as more important than themselves, pointing to Christ as the ultimate example. This instruction is set within a plea for unity within the church, contrasting the self-seeking attitude that causes division with Christ’s radical self-emptying. The verse describes the profound descent of Jesus from divine glory, not as a loss of His divine nature, but as a voluntary relinquishing of divine prerogatives to take on human form as a servant.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live with humility and consider others as more important than themselves, pointing to Christ as the ultimate example. This instruction is set within a plea for unity within the church, contrasting the self-seeking attitude that causes division with Christ’s radical self-emptying. The verse describes the profound descent of Jesus from divine glory, not as a loss of His divine nature, but as a voluntary relinquishing of divine prerogatives to take on human form as a servant.
"but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." — The phrase "likeness of men" is crucial because it highlights that Jesus didn't just look like a human, but truly became one, sharing in our actual human experience with all its vulnerabilities, a…
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