Philippians 2:7– But Empties himself

… Who being inherently in the form of God, deems it not pillaging to be equal with God, nevertheless empties Himself, taking the form of a slave to be in the likeness of humanity..

We need not guess what it means that Christ Jesus emptied Himself. The meaning is right behind it: “taking the form of a slave”. This “form of a slave” is of course in contrast to the previously mentioned form of God in which He now is. And perhaps it (also) refers to the position He was in when He as Son of God revealed His glory here on earth (John 1:14).

Hebrews 5:8 says that though He was the Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered. Instead of presenting Himself as the entitled Son, He exchanged this ‘rank’ for that of a slave. In His outward appearance He resembled every other man. And of course, He was (and is) actually human (1Tim.2:5). But because He laid aside His unique glory, a slave was seen. He became “poor, yet being rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This typifies the disposition of Christ Jesus. He made Himself fully available and said, “Lo! I am arriving – In the summary of the scroll it is written concerning Me to do Your will, O God…” (Heb. 10:7).

Delen: