7. the emptying of Christ; Philippians 2:5-8

Originally posted on March 20, 2026 – by Andre Piet

Let this disposition be in you, which [is] also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in God’s form, does not deem it pillaging to be equal to God, 7 but empties Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of men. 8 And, being found in fashion as a man, He humbles Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2 is often regarded as the crown witness of Christ’s pre-existence (=pre-being), especially because of the words “being in God’s form”. But in this passage those words do not refer to a state before His birth, but to His present, exalted position. This also fits the formulation: Paul speaks here in the present tense. He does not describe where Christ comes from, but how He has come to this position.

In verses 2–4 the subject is disposition: not seeking yourself, but the other. Verse 5 connects to this and sets Christ Jesus as the example. What follows shows what that disposition looks like. Not by grasping, but by emptying Himself and humbling Himself. From that line the words of verse 6 must also be understood.

“Being in God’s form” and “being like God” belong together. It is immediately stated that He did not consider this robbery: He did not seize that position. Paul substantiates this immediately: “but emptied Himself…”. Not seizing, but emptying. This is interpreted as: “taking the form of a servant.” Verse 8 says the same thing: “He humbled Himself, obedient to death.” The fact that verse 6 stands before verse 7 does not mean that Paul is describing an earlier state, for he is not speaking chronologically here, but about the disposition of Christ. The text does not speak about letting go of an earlier position, but about the way in which He came to His exaltation through humiliation and obedience — even to the death of the cross.

Then follows verse 9: “Therefore God highly exalts Him”. That “therefore” gives the reason. His exaltation is the result of His humiliation. In this way verse 6 also falls into place. He did not seize that position, but received it. Not by grasping, but because He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. The thought that He was first in divine glory and then laid it aside is not stated here. The text does not begin with a high position that is relinquished, but ends with a high position that is given.

In summary: Paul does not describe a descent from a previous divine state, but the way by which Christ has come to His exaltation. He did not grasp, but emptied Himself; not exalted Himself, but humbled Himself. Therefore God exalted Him. That is the line of the text — and whoever reads a pre-existence into this adds something that is not there.

Delen: