Introduction
At one time, I thought that Jesus was just another religious leader. Buddha, Muhammad, Jesus, Krishna, Confucius, seemed to be about the same, teaching their followers about a spiritual life from different perspectives. But then I learned that Jesus is very different in many ways. This article examines just one of the ways He is different: His humility. (I talk about the exaltation of Jesus in a related article titled: Highly Exalted Son.)
The biblical passage Philippians 2:5-7 says this:“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”
Morphē
The word ‘form’ in verses 6 and 7 above is the Greek word:
Morphē (mor-fay’) -the nature or essence, not in the abstract, but as actually subsisting in the individual,1 6) existed in the form of God 7) taking the form of a bond-servant (slave).“Hence, in this passage the “existed in the form of God,” describes our Lord’s essential, and therefore eternal, being in the true nature of God; while the “taking the form of a bond-servant” similarly refers to His voluntary assumption of the true nature of man.”2
There are two Greek words that could have been used in this passage to indicate the idea of form. Paul chose the word that denotes the essential nature subsisting in the individual.
Schēma
That other word for ‘form’, is a different Greek word, which is:
Schēma (skhay’-mah) -Fashion, habit, form, appearance.
For example, consider the next verse in Philippians 2, which is verse 8:
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The word translated ‘appearance’ is this other word, some Bible translations use ‘form’ or ‘fashion’ instead of appearance. The idea here is that on the outside Jesus looked like any other Jewish man. A humbling experience for God indeed! He humbled Himself further by being obedient to the Father3, even to the point of death. As Philippians 2:8 points out, not just a natural death, but crucifixion!
Both in juxtaposition
Derivatives of both words are used in this passage and help us see how they are used:
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
The word ‘conformed’ here is a derivative of Schēma meaning to ‘conform to the same pattern’, and the word ‘transformed’ is a derivative of Morphē , meaning to ‘change into another form’.4 If I were to paraphrase this then, I might say, “and do not take on the fashion or habit of the world, but rather the essential inward assimilation of the new nature by renewing your mind.”
“It is the difference between an outward conformity or disguise and a thorough inward assimilation.”5
So in the Philippians passage, Christ has the essential nature as God, but also took on the essence of a bond-servant. It was not just an outward conformity but He really was a servant. Thus, He was one person, with two natures. “Practically speaking, it is the basis for Christ being seen to be weak, yet omnipotent; ignorant, yet omniscient; limited, yet infinite.”6
Conclusion
As far as Christ is concerned in the Philippians passage, it is important to note what is actually meant that He ’emptied Himself’. It does not mean that He emptied Himself of any traits he possessed as God incarnate. Rather, He set aside His prerogatives as God for a time to take on the nature or essence of a servant.
The self-emptying of Christ was an act of humility, where Jesus humbled Himself for His creation. We are the beneficiaries, as is all mankind, of His love for us. Furthermore, this act of humility is a demonstration of the efforts God is willing to go to in order to be reconciled with us. You can be reconciled with God, our creator!
Appendix
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of being persecuted at the hands of those He created. Even while being abused, He did not lash out, but trusted God the Father. I write about this in a related article, Being Reviled.
1 Vine’s Expository Dictionary, partial quote of Gifford’s definition
2 Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers on Philippians 2:6-7
3 In John 8:29, Jesus is speaking and says, “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
4 Vines -the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; morphe lays stress on the inward change, schema (see the preceding verb in that verse, suschematizo) lays stress on the outward
5 Ellicott’s on Romans 12:2
6 Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1986), 288