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Selected Verse: Philippians 2:7 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 2:7 |
Strong Concordance |
But [235] made [2758] himself [1438] of no reputation [2758], and took upon him [2983] the form [3444] of a servant [1401], and was made [1096] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of men [444]: |
| |
King James |
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| made himself of no reputation, and . . . and--rather as the Greek, "emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." The two latter clauses (there being no conjunctions, "and . . . and," in the Greek) expresses in what Christ's "emptying of Himself" consists, namely, in "taking the form of a servant" (see on Heb 10:5; compare Exo 21:5-6, and Psa 40:6, proving that it was at the time when He assumed a body, He took "the form of a servant"), and in order to explain how He took "the form of a servant," there is added, by "being made in the likeness of men." His subjection to the law (Luk 2:21; Gal 4:4) and to His parents (Luk 2:51), His low state as a carpenter, and carpenter's reputed son (Mat 13:55; Mar 6:3), His betrayal for the price of a bond-servant (Exo 21:32), and slave-like death to relieve us from the slavery of sin and death, finally and chiefly, His servant-like dependence as man on God, while His divinity was not outwardly manifested (Isa 49:3, Isa 49:7), are all marks of His "form as a servant." This proves: (1) He was in the form of a servant as soon as He was made man. (2) He was "in the form of God" before He was "in the form of a servant." (3) He did as really subsist in the divine nature, as in the form of a servant, or in the nature of man. For He was as much "in the form of God" as "in the form of a servant"; and was so in the form of God as "to be on an equality with God"; He therefore could have been none other than God; for God saith, "To whom will ye liken Me and make Me equal?" (Isa 46:5), [BISHOP PEARSON]. His emptying Himself presupposes His previous plenitude of Godhead (Joh 1:14; Col 1:19; Col 2:9). He remained full of this; yet He bore Himself as if He were empty. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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 empty, to make vain or void." It is rendered: "made void" in Rom 4:14; "made of none effect," Co1 1:17; "make void," Co1 9:15; "should be vain," Co2 9:3. The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, except in the passage before us. The essential idea is that of bringing to emptiness, vanity, or nothingness; and, hence, it is applied to a case where one lays aside his rank and dignity, and becomes in respect to that as nothing; that is, he assumes a more humble rank and station. In regard to its meaning here, we may remark:
(1) that it cannot mean that he literally divested himself of his divine nature and perfections, for that was impossible. He could not cease to be omnipotent, and omnipresent, and most holy, and true, and good.
(2) it is conceivable that he might have laid aside, for a time, the symbols or the manifestation of his glory, or that the outward expressions of his majesty in heaven might have been withdrawn. It is conceivable for a divine being to intermit the exercise of his almighty power, since it cannot be supposed that God is always exerting his power to the utmost. And in like manner there might be for a time a laying aside or intermitting of these manifestations or symbols, which were expressive of the divine glory and perfections. Yet,
(3) this supposes no change in the divine nature, or in the essential glory of the divine perfections. When the sun is obscured by a cloud, or in an eclipse, there is no real change of its glory, nor are his beams extinguished, nor is the sun himself in any measure changed. His luster is only for a time obscured. So it might have been in regard to the manifestation of the glory of the Son of God. Of course there is much in regard to this which is obscure, but the language of the apostle undoubtedly implies more than that he took an humble place, or that he demeaned himself in an humble manner. In regard to the actual change respecting his manifestations in heaven, or the withdrawing of the symbols of his glory there, the Scriptures are nearly silent, and conjecture is useless - perhaps improper. The language before us fairly implies that he laid aside that which was expressive of his being divine - that glory which is involved in the phrase "being in the form of God" - and took upon himself another form and manifestation in the condition of a servant.
And took upon him the form of a servant - The phrase "form of a servant," should be allowed to explain the phrase "form of God," in Phi 2:6. The "form of a servant" is that which indicates the condition of a servant, in contradistinction from one of higher rank. It means to appear as a servant, to perform the offices of a servant, and to be regarded as such. He was made like a servant in the lowly condition which he assumed. The whole connection and force of the argument here demands this interpretation. Storr and Rosenmuller interpret this as meaning that he became the servant or minister of God, and that in doing it, it was necessary that he should become a man. But the objection to this is obvious. It greatly weakens the force of the apostle's argument. His object is to state the depth of humiliation to which he descended, and this was best done by saying that he descended to the lowest condition of humanity and appeared in the most humble garb. The idea of being a "servant or minister of God" would not express that, for this is a term which might be applied to the highest angel in heaven. Though the Lord Jesus was not literally a servant or slave, yet what is here affirmed was true of him in the following respects:
(1) He occupied a most lowly condition in life.
(2) he condescended to perform such acts as are appropriate only to those who are servants. "I am among you as he that serveth;" Luk 22:27; compare Joh 13:4-15.
And was made in the likeness of men - Margin, habit. The Greek word means likeness, resemblance. The meaning is, he was made like unto people by assuming such a body as theirs; see the notes at Rom 8:3. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
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 form of God. His personality continued the same. His self-emptying was not self-extinction, nor was the divine Being changed into a mere man. In His humanity He retained the consciousness of deity, and in His incarnate state carried out the mind which animated Him before His incarnation. He was not unable to assert equality with God. He was able not to assert it.
Form of a servant (μορφὴν δούλου)
The same word for form as in the phrase form of God, and with the same sense. The mode of expression of a slave's being is indeed apprehensible, and is associated with human shape, but it is not this side of the fact which Paul is developing. It is that Christ assumed that mode of being which answered to, and was the complete and characteristic expression of, the slave's being. The mode itself is not defined. This is appropriately inserted here as bringing out the contrast with counted not equality with God, etc. What Christ grasped at in His incarnation was not divine sovereignty, but service.
Was made in the likeness of men (ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος)
Lit., becoming in, etc. Notice the choice of the verb, not was, but became: entered into a new state. Likeness. The word does not imply the reality of our Lord's humanity, μορφή form implied the reality of His deity. That fact is stated in the form of a servant. Neither is εἰκών image employed, which, for our purposes, implies substantially the same as μορφή. See on Col 1:15. As form of a servant exhibits the inmost reality of Christ's condition as a servant - that He became really and essentially the servant of men (Luk 22:27) - so likeness of men expresses the fact that His mode of manifestation resembled what men are. This leaves room for the assumption of another side of His nature - the divine - in the likeness of which He did not appear. As He appealed to men, He was like themselves, with a real likeness; but this likeness to men did not express His whole self. The totality of His being could not appear to men, for that involved the form of God. Hence the apostle views Him solely as He could appear to men. All that was possible was a real and complete likeness to humanity. What He was essentially and eternally could not enter into His human mode of existence. Humanly He was like men, but regarded with reference to His whole self, He was not identical with man, because there was an element of His personality which did not dwell in them - equality with God. Hence the statement of His human manifestation is necessarily limited by this fact, and is confined to likeness and does not extend to identity. "To affirm likeness is at once to assert similarity and to deny sameness" (Dickson). See on Rom 8:3. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Yet - He was so far from tenaciously insisting upon, that he willingly relinquished, his claim. He was content to forego the glories of the Creator, and to appear in the form of a creature; nay, to he made in the likeness of the fallen creatures; and not only to share the disgrace, but to suffer the punishment, due to the meanest and vilest among them all. He emptied himself - Of that divine fulness, which he received again at his exaltation. Though he remained full, Joh 1:14, yet he appeared as if he had been empty; for he veiled his fulness from the sight of men and angels. Yea, he not only veiled, but, in some sense, renounced, the glory which he had before the world began. Taking - And by that very act emptying himself. The form of a servant - The form, the likeness, the fashion, though not exactly the same, are yet nearly related to each other. The form expresses something absolute; the likeness refers to other things of the same kind; the fashion respects what appears to sight and sense. Being made in the likeness of men - A real man, like other men. Hereby he took the form of a servant. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| But made himself of no reputation - Ἑαυτον εκενωσε· He emptied himself - did not appear in his glory, for he assumed the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. And his being made in the likeness of man, and assuming the form of a servant, was a proof that he had emptied himself - laid aside the effulgence of his glory. |
9 For [3754] in [1722] him [846] dwelleth [2730] all [3956] the fulness [4138] of the Godhead [2320] bodily [4985].
19 For it pleased [2106] the Father that [3754] in [1722] him [846] should [2730] all [3956] fulness [4138] dwell [2730];
14 And [2532] the Word [3056] was made [1096] flesh [4561], and [2532] dwelt [4637] among [1722] us [2254], (and [2532] we beheld [2300] his [846] glory [1391], the glory [1391] as [5613] of the only begotten [3439] of [3844] the Father [3962],) full [4134] of grace [5485] and [2532] truth [225].
5 To whom will ye liken [01819] me, and make me equal [07737], and compare [04911] me, that we may be like [01819]?
7 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], the Redeemer [01350] of Israel [03478], and his Holy One [06918], to him whom man [05315] despiseth [0960], to him whom the nation [01471] abhorreth [08581], to a servant [05650] of rulers [04910], Kings [04428] shall see [07200] and arise [06965], princes [08269] also shall worship [07812], because of the LORD [03068] that is faithful [0539], and the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478], and he shall choose [0977] thee.
3 And said [0559] unto me, Thou art my servant [05650], O Israel [03478], in whom I will be glorified [06286].
32 If the ox [07794] shall push [05055] a manservant [05650] or a maidservant [0519]; he shall give [05414] unto their master [0113] thirty [07970] shekels [08255] of silver [03701], and the ox [07794] shall be stoned [05619].
3 Is [2076] not [3756] this [3778] the carpenter [5045], the son [5207] of Mary [3137], [1161] the brother [80] of James [2385], and [2532] Joses [2500], and [2532] of Juda [2455], and [2532] Simon [4613]? and [2532] are [1526] not [3756] his [846] sisters [79] here [5602] with [4314] us [2248]? And [2532] they were offended [4624] at [1722] him [846].
55 Is [2076] not [3756] this [3778] the carpenter's [5045] son [5207]? is [3004] not [3780] his [846] mother [3384] called [3004] Mary [3137]? and [2532] his [846] brethren [80], James [2385], and [2532] Joses [2500], and [2532] Simon [4613], and [2532] Judas [2455]?
51 And [2532] he went down [2597] with [3326] them [846], and [2532] came [2064] to [1519] Nazareth [3478], and [2532] was [2258] subject [5293] unto them [846]: but [2532] his [846] mother [3384] kept [1301] all [3956] these [5023] sayings [4487] in [1722] her [846] heart [2588].
4 But [1161] when [3753] the fulness [4138] of the time [5550] was come [2064], God [2316] sent forth [1821] his [846] Son [5207], made [1096] of [1537] a woman [1135], made [1096] under [5259] the law [3551],
21 And [2532] when [3753] eight [3638] days [2250] were accomplished [4130] for the circumcising [4059] of the child [3813], [2532] his [846] name [3686] was called [2564] JESUS [2424], which [3588] was so named [2564] of [5259] the angel [32] before [4253] he [846] was conceived [4815] in [1722] the womb [2836].
6 Sacrifice [02077] and offering [04503] thou didst not desire [02654]; mine ears [0241] hast thou opened [03738]: burnt offering [05930] and sin offering [02401] hast thou not required [07592].
5 And if the servant [05650] shall plainly [0559] say [0559], I love [0157] my master [0113], my wife [0802], and my children [01121]; I will not go out [03318] free [02670]:
6 Then his master [0113] shall bring [05066] him unto the judges [0430]; he shall also bring [05066] him to the door [01817], or unto the door post [04201]; and his master [0113] shall bore [07527] his ear [0241] through with an aul [04836]; and he shall serve [05647] him for ever [05769].
5 Wherefore [1352] when he cometh [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], he saith [3004], Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], but [1161] a body [4983] hast thou prepared [2675] me [3427]:
3 For [1063] what the law [3551] could not do [102], in [1722] that [3739] it was weak [770] through [1223] the flesh [4561], God [2316] sending [3992] his own [1438] Son [5207] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of sinful [266] flesh [4561], and [2532] for [4012] sin [266], condemned [2632] sin [266] in [1722] the flesh [4561]:
4 He riseth [1453] from [1537] supper [1173], and [2532] laid aside [5087] his garments [2440]; and [2532] took [2983] a towel [3012], and girded [1241] himself [1438].
5 After that [1534] he poureth [906] water [5204] into [1519] a bason [3537], and [2532] began [756] to wash [3538] the disciples [3101]' feet [4228], and [2532] to wipe [1591] them with the towel [3012] wherewith [3739] he was [2258] girded [1241].
6 Then [3767] cometh he [2064] to [4314] Simon [4613] Peter [4074]: and [2532] Peter [1565] saith [3004] unto him [846], Lord [2962], dost [3538] thou [4771] wash [3538] my [3450] feet [4228]?
7 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], What [3739] I [1473] do [4160] thou [4771] knowest [1492] not [3756] now [737]; but [1161] thou shalt know [1097] hereafter [3326] [5023].
8 Peter [4074] saith [3004] unto him [846], Thou shalt [3538] never [1519] [165] [3364] wash [3538] my [3450] feet [4228]. Jesus [2424] answered [611] him [846], If [3362] I wash [3538] thee [4571] not [3362], thou hast [2192] no [3756] part [3313] with [3326] me [1700].
9 Simon [4613] Peter [4074] saith [3004] unto him [846], Lord [2962], not [3361] my [3450] feet [4228] only [3440], but [235] also [2532] my hands [5495] and [2532] my head [2776].
10 Jesus [2424] saith [3004] to him [846], He that is washed [3068] needeth [5532] not [3756] [2192] save [2228] to wash [3538] his feet [4228], but [235] is [2076] clean [2513] every whit [3650]: and [2532] ye [5210] are [2075] clean [2513], but [235] not [3780] all [3956].
11 For [1063] he knew [1492] who [3588] should betray [3860] him [846]; therefore [5124] [1223] said he [2036], Ye are [2075] not [3780] all [3956] clean [2513].
12 So [3767] after [3753] he had washed [3538] their [846] feet [4228], and [2532] had taken [2983] his [846] garments [2440], and was set down [377] again [3825], he said [2036] unto them [846], Know ye [1097] what [5101] I have done [4160] to you [5213]?
13 Ye [5210] call [5455] me [3165] Master [1320] and [2532] Lord [2962]: and [2532] ye say [3004] well [2573]; for [1063] so I am [1510].
14 If [1487] I [1473] then [3767], your Lord [2962] and [2532] Master [1320], have washed [3538] your [5216] feet [4228]; ye [5210] also [2532] ought [3784] to wash [3538] one another's [240] feet [4228].
15 For [1063] I have given [1325] you [5213] an example [5262], that [2443] ye [5210] should do [4160] as [2531] [2532] I [1473] have done [4160] to you [5213].
27 For [1063] whether [5101] is greater [3187], he that sitteth at meat [345], or [2228] he that serveth [1247]? is not [3780] he that sitteth at meat [345]? but [1161] I [1473] am [1510] among [1722] [3319] you [5216] as [5613] he that serveth [1247].
6 Who [3739], being [5225] in [1722] the form [3444] of God [2316], thought it [2233] not [3756] robbery [725] to be [1511] equal [2470] with God [2316]:
3 Yet [1161] have I sent [3992] the brethren [80], lest [3363] our [2257] boasting [2745] of [5228] you [5216] should be in vain [2758] in [1722] this [5129] behalf [3313]; that [2443], as [2531] I said [3004], ye may be [5600] ready [3903]:
15 But [1161] I [1473] have used [5530] none [3762] of these things [5130]: [1161] neither [3756] have I written [1125] these things [5023], that [2443] it should be [1096] so [3779] done [1096] unto [1722] me [1698]: for [1063] it were better [3123] for me [3427] to die [599] [2570], than [2228] that [2443] any man [5100] should make [2758] my [3450] glorying [2745] void [2758].
17 For [1063] Christ [5547] sent [649] me [3165] not [3756] to baptize [907], but [235] to preach the gospel [2097]: not [3756] with [1722] wisdom [4678] of words [3056], lest [3363] the cross [4716] of Christ [5547] should be made of none effect [2758].
14 For [1063] if [1487] they which are of [1537] the law [3551] be heirs [2818], faith [4102] is made void [2758], and [2532] the promise [1860] made of none effect [2673]:
3 For [1063] what the law [3551] could not do [102], in [1722] that [3739] it was weak [770] through [1223] the flesh [4561], God [2316] sending [3992] his own [1438] Son [5207] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of sinful [266] flesh [4561], and [2532] for [4012] sin [266], condemned [2632] sin [266] in [1722] the flesh [4561]:
27 For [1063] whether [5101] is greater [3187], he that sitteth at meat [345], or [2228] he that serveth [1247]? is not [3780] he that sitteth at meat [345]? but [1161] I [1473] am [1510] among [1722] [3319] you [5216] as [5613] he that serveth [1247].
15 Who [3739] is [2076] the image [1504] of the invisible [517] God [2316], the firstborn [4416] of every [3956] creature [2937]:
14 And [2532] the Word [3056] was made [1096] flesh [4561], and [2532] dwelt [4637] among [1722] us [2254], (and [2532] we beheld [2300] his [846] glory [1391], the glory [1391] as [5613] of the only begotten [3439] of [3844] the Father [3962],) full [4134] of grace [5485] and [2532] truth [225].