Philippians 2:7-8
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The text emphasizes that Christ didn't just appear human, but actively became "in the likeness of men." This crucial detail highlights that while His divine nature was veiled, His human form was a true, though not identical, representation of humanity, allowing Him to truly experience our condition.
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)
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to humility and unity by pointing to Christ's example. He's just described Jesus, who existed in divine glory, choosing not to cling to that status. Instead, Jesus willingly laid aside the outward expressions of his divine majesty, taking on the humble role of a servant and being born as a real human.
Jesus didn't just change His outward appearance; He willingly gave up something profound. What did He truly 'empty' Himself of?
The phrase 'emptied Himself' (from the Greek word kenosis) is one of the most significant and debated in Scripture. It doesn't mean Jesus ceased to be God. That would be impossible!
Instead, the scholars suggest it means He deliberately set aside or divested Himself of the outward expressions and privileges of His divine glory. Think of it like a king setting aside his crown and royal robes to live among his subjects incognito.
Jesus took the 'form of a servant.' Was this just about being nice, or was it a fundamental shift in His very being and role?
The 'form of a servant' isn't just about performing humble actions; it points to a fundamental assumption of a servant's essential being and status.
Ask a follow-up
When the Bible says Jesus was made in the 'likeness of men,' does that mean He was only like a man, or truly one of us?
The phrase 'likeness of men' is carefully chosen to affirm the reality of Jesus' humanity without implying He was identical to fallen humanity in every respect (specifically, He was without 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 prophecy describes the Suffering Servant as despised and rejected by men, mirroring Christ's voluntary humility and the rejection He faced in His earthly ministry.
Luke 22:27Jesus explicitly states, 'I am among you as one who serves,' directly reflecting the 'form of a servant' that He took on, emphasizing His mission of service rather than domination.
John 1:14This verse states that the Word became flesh and 'dwelt among us,' highlighting the reality of Christ's humanity and His dwelling in our midst, a key aspect of His emptying Himself.
Colossians 1:15-17This passage describes Christ as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and the one through whom all things were created, setting the stage for the profound 'emptying' described in Philippians 2:7 by showing His pre-incarnate glory and authority.
Hebrews 2:14-18This passage explains that Christ took on 'likeness of men' by partaking in flesh and blood, making Him like His brothers in every way, thus enabling Him to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This directly supports the idea of Him being 'made in the likeness of men' for redemptive purposes.
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 text emphasizes that Christ didn't just appear human, but actively became "in the likeness of men." This crucial detail highlights that while His divine nature was veiled, His human form was a true, though not identical, representation of humanity, allowing Him to truly experience our condition.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to humility and unity by pointing to Christ's example. He's just described Jesus, who existed in divine glory, choosing not to cling to that status. Instead, Jesus willingly laid aside the outward expressions of his divine majesty, taking on the humble role of a servant and being born as a real human.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to humility and unity by pointing to Christ's example. He's just described Jesus, who existed in divine glory, choosing not to cling to that status. Instead, Jesus willingly laid aside the outward expressions of his divine majesty, taking on the humble role of a servant and being born as a real human.
"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 text emphasizes that Christ didn't just appear human, but actively became "in the likeness of men." This crucial detail highlights that while His divine nature was veiled, His human form was…
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Last reviewed October 2026
