Tag: Bible verses about understanding God

Philippians 2:7 (NKJV) 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Jesus “made Himself of no reputation”.

It might also be translated as “He emptied Himself”.

Jesus did not, however, empty Himself of His deity. He simply voluntarily set aside His privileges as God, rendering Himself a mere man, walking out His earthly life as a servant to humanity.

He became fully human, yet He did so while remaining without sin; something no other human can ever accomplish.

He took on “the form of a bondservant”.

In choosing to become a human, His purpose was to serve and obey the will of the Father, even to the point of being willing to lay down His life.

Bondservants were considered to be the lowest status on the social ladder in those times. This is the exact opposite of Him being called “Lord”, which is indicative of one who reigns over all.

As he also did in verse 6, Paul chose to use a Greek word for “form”, indicating exact essence. So, He wasn’t just an imitator. He was a true servant.

And He came “in the likeness of men”.

Jesus did not just appear to be a man. He was more than just God in a human body. Being so would not have sufficed or allowed Him to fulfill His purpose here on earth.

The word “likeness” emphasizes identity. In other words, He was a man in every aspect.

He took on all the essential attributes of humanity, even identifying with basic human needs and weaknesses.

He felt hunger, anger, sadness, betrayal, disappointment, joy, happiness, pain, sorrow and temptation.

Unlike all other humans, though, Jesus was sinless.

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

Philippians 2:6 (NKJV) 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God…

Jesus wasn’t just a man who had God-like characteristics. He was, and always had been, God.

John 1:1 (NKJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He chose to limit Himself while here on earth, so He could walk among us as a human. So, in Christ, God became man.

If we take the word “form” in the wrong context, it could possibly cause us to think that Jesus wasn’t fully God. But when Paul chose the Greek word for “form”, he chose one of two different possible words.

The word he chose specifically indicates the critical, unchanging, unceasing character of something; its very essence, or what it is in and of itself, not needing anyone or anything else to affirm it, prove it or validate it.

Because Christ was God, He did not consider it robbery to share God’s nature.

The Greek word for “robbery” was translated as such because it was originally part of the phrase “seized by robbery”.

The implication here is that Jesus didn’t feel the need to “seize”, “grasp” or “hold tightly to” His deity, His position, because there was no chance that He could lose it, be disqualified from it or have it taken from Him.

Yet, He was willing to give them up for a season, limiting Himself in such a way that He could become human and walk out the task of the redemption of man through His own death, burial and resurrection.

Colossians 1:15-17 (NKJV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!