Posted on 12/05/2021 7:47:18 PM PST by metmom
“Although He existed in the form of God, [Christ] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Christ emptied Himself without ever surrendering His deity.
Note the contrast in Philippians 2 between verses 6 and 7: Christ didn’t think equality something to be grasped but instead emptied Himself. Paul used the contrasting connective “but” to show that being equal with God didn’t lead Christ to fill Himself up but instead to empty Himself.
The Greek verb translated “emptied” (kenoo) is where we get the theological term kenosis—the doctrine of Christ’s self-emptying as part of His incarnation. The verb expresses Christ’s self-renunciation, His refusal to cling to His advantages and privileges as God.
What did Christ empty Himself of? Certainly not His deity. He coexists with the Father and the Spirit. For Him to become less than God would mean the Trinity would cease to exist. Christ could not become less than who He truly is.
Professor Paul Enns, in his Moody Handbook of Theology, explains the emptying of Christ this way: “The emptying was not a subtraction but an addition. The four following phrases (Phil. 2:7-8) explain the emptying: ‘(a) taking the form of a bond-servant, and (b) being made in the likeness of men. And (c) being found in appearance as a man, (d) He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.’ The ‘emptying’ of Christ was taking on an additional nature, a human nature with its limitations. His deity was never surrendered.” Christ didn’t exchange deity for humanity; He retained His divine nature.
In his hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Charles Wesley correctly presented the truths of Christ’s deity when he wrote:
Veiled in flesh the God-head see; Hail th’ incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
May those words be the song of your heart as well.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank the Lord for emptying Himself for your sake.
For Further Study
Read 2 Corinthians 8:9. Why did Christ become “poor”? Look at Romans 8:3. Why did God send “His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh”?
Studying God’s Word Ping
Well put by Dr MacArthur.
Why the past tense?
Because they are talking about His specific act of taking on the flesh, which happened in the past.
Its not a subtle way of saying He’s not God now.
Thank you. Why is it important that Christ retains the flesh wherewith He has been endowed?
>>saying He’s not God now.<<
Once God, Always God.
If Christ is not God 24/7, then there must be times that the Trinity becomes a Duality(Father and Spirit). I surmise that St Thomas Aquinas would not be pleased with that theology.
What did Christ empty Himself of? Certainly not His deity. He coexists with the Father and the Spirit. For Him to become less than God would mean the Trinity would cease to exist. Christ could not become less than who He truly is.
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I look at this differently. Since Christ asked for His cup to be removed, but then He obeyed His Father’s and not His own will does not imply equality. When Christ left the Apostles for the last time He said that He would SEND The Holy Spirit.(see John 15:26 or 16:7) To me this implies a system of seniority, with God at the head, then The Son and then The Holy Ghost. All three ARE God.
There are so many different views on this subject it doesn’t seem wise to wade into this and create a storm but there is my $.02.
In the US Supreme Court there are 9 justices, their votes all carry the same weight but there is one chief justice which is senior in administrative duties. They are all Justices but there is one Chief Justice.
Because of His sacrifice. And it also was a permanent change to Him.
I wish the world would empty itself and see we know nothing.
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