Tag: Kenosis of Christ

Of No Reputation Part 3

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Philippians 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

He could do nothing of Himself in all His earthly life. He attributed all His works, doctrines, powers, etc. to the Father through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (John 8:28). This is proved by the following facts in Scripture (continued): (10) He did not claim the attributes of God, but only the anointing of the Spirit to do His works (John 8:28; Matt. 12:28; Luke 4:16-21). Others stated this was the source of His power (John 3:34; Acts 10:38). Most scriptures used in theological texts proving that Christ had divine attributes on earth are statements true of Him since His glory has been restored and do not prove anything during His life on earth. All scriptures related to His earthly life can be explained as referring to the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit and not natural attributes. (11) The fact that Christ promised all believers power to do the works He did prove that it was through the anointing of the Spirit, not by His deity and natural attributes, that He did His works (Mat. 10:1-20; 16:18; 18:18; Luke 10:1-42; 24:49; Mark 16:15-20; John 14:12-15; Acts 1:4-8). (12) His exaltation to original glory and the highest place under God the Father is proof of His lowest humiliation and earthly limitation short of being God by nature (2:9-11; Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:15-23; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ Christ humbled Himself from the divine form to human form, and from sinless humanity to sinful and corrupt infamy – even the death of the cross, bearing the sins of all men (2:8; 1Pet. 2:24).

Of No Reputation Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men

‘Made himself of no reputation’ – The “Kenosis” of Christ: [Greek: kenoo] to empty out, drain. It is translated “make void” (Rom. 4:14; 1Cor. 9:15); “make of none effect” (1Cor. 1:17); “be in vain” (2Cor. 9:3); and “make of no reputation” (i.e., He emptied Himself; 2:7).

Of what did Christ empty Himself? It could not have been His divine nature, for He was God not only from all eternity (Mic. 5:1-2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11), but God manifest in flesh during His life on earth (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Mat. 1:18-25; John 1:1-2, 14; 1Tim. 3:16). Christ emptied Himself of: [1] Equality with God (2:6-7; John 14:28; 1Cor. 11:3). [2] God-form or God-body, the spirit body that He lived in from eternity, to take human-form (2:6-8; 3:21; Mat. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; 24:37-40; John 1:14; Zech. 13:6; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 8:3). [3] Immortality of body (1Cor. 15:3; Ps. 16:10; 1Pet. 2:24; 3:18). As God, He could not die for our sins or take our place as a substitute (1Cor. 15:20-22). [4] The glory that He had with the Father before the world was (2:5-11; John 12:23; 17:5; Mat. 16:27). [5] His authority in heaven and on earth, which was given back to Him after the resurrection (2:9-11; Mat. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; 1Pet. 3:22). [6] His divine attributes and outward powers that He had with the Father from eternity. He had no power to do miracles until He received the Holy Spirit in all fullness (John 2:11; 3:34; Isa. 11:1-2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Luke 3:21-22; 4:16-21; Mat. 12:28; Acts 10:38). He could do nothing of Himself in all His earthly life. He attributed all His works, doctrines, powers, etc. to the Father through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (John 8:28).

To be continued…