Philippians 2:7 - Exposition

But made himself of no reputation ; rather, as R.V., but emptied himself ; not, he indeed, of the Godhead, which could not be, but of its manifestation, its glory. This he did once for all, as the aorist implies, at the Incarnation. The word "emptied' involves a previous fullness, "a precedent plenitude" (Pearson on the Creed, Philippians 2:25 ). The Divine majesty of which he emptied himself was his own, his own rightful prerogative; and his humiliation was his own voluntary act—he emptied himself. "He used his equality with God as an opportunity, not for self-exaltation, but for sell abasement" (Alford). " Manebat plenus , John 1:14 , et tureen perinde se gessit ac si esset" (Bengel). And took upon him the form of a servant; rather, as R.V., taking the form. The two clauses refer to the same act of self-humiliation regarded from its two sides. He emptied himself of his glory, taking at the same time the form ( μορφήν as in John 1:6 , the essential attributes) of a servant, literally, of a slave. Observe, he was originally ( ὑπάρχων ) in the form of God; he took ( λαβών ) the form of a slave. The Godhead was his by right, the manhood by his own voluntary act: both are equally real; he is perfect died and perfect Man. Isaiah prophesied of Christ ( Isaiah 49:1-26 and Isaiah 52:1-15 .; comp. Acts 2:13 , in the Greek or R.V.) as the Servant of Jehovah; he came to do the Father's will, submitting his own will in all things: "Not as I will, but as thou wilt" . And was made in the likeness of men ; translate, becoming , or, as R.V., being made (aorist participle). This clause is another description of the one act of the Incarnation he was God, he became man. Form ( μορφή ) asserts the reality of our Lord's human nature. Likeness ( ὁμοίωμα ) refers only to external appearance: this word, of course, does not imply that our Lord was not truly man, but, as Chrysostom says ('Hom.,' 8.247), he was more. than man; "We are soul and body, but he is God and soul and body." The likeness of men ; because Christ is the Representative of humanity: he took upon him, not a human person, but human nature. He is one person in two natures. As Bishop Lightfoot says, "Christ, as the second Adam, represents, not the individual man, bat the human race."