Omanghana
The Apostle Paul’s statement that Jesus Christ “emptied himself” is one of the most important descriptions of Christ’s humility and incarnation in the New Testament.
Paul writes:
“Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
— Philippians 2:6–7
In Christian theology, this self-emptying is known as the Kenosis, a term derived from the Greek verb kenoō, meaning “to empty.”
The passage does not teach that Jesus stopped being God or surrendered his divine nature. Instead, Christ humbled himself by becoming human, accepting the position of a servant and voluntarily setting aside the privileges associated with his heavenly glory.
Jesus Added Humanity Without Losing His Divinity
Paul explains how Christ emptied himself: he did so “by taking the form of a servant” and being born in human likeness.
Jesus did not become less divine. The eternal Son added a complete human nature to his divine nature. He entered the world with a genuine human body, mind and will while remaining fully God.
The Council of Chalcedon in AD 451 later summarized this belief by affirming that Jesus is fully divine and fully human—two natures united in one person without confusion or separation.
Because his humanity was real, Jesus experienced hunger, tiredness, sorrow, temptation, physical suffering and death. These human experiences did not cancel his deity; they revealed how completely he entered the human condition.
He Veiled His Heavenly Glory
Before his incarnation, Christ shared divine glory with the Father. In John 17:5, Jesus prayed about the glory he possessed before the world existed.
When he came to earth, however, he did not appear with the visible splendor of a heavenly king. He was born into an ordinary family and lived without political power, earthly wealth or royal privilege.
Isaiah’s prophecy described the coming servant as having no outward majesty that would naturally attract people to him. Christ’s divine glory was generally concealed beneath his ordinary human appearance.
There were occasional revelations of that glory. During the Transfiguration, recorded in Matthew 17:1–8, Jesus’ appearance changed before Peter, James and John, briefly revealing something of his heavenly majesty.
He Voluntarily Restrained His Divine Privileges
Jesus continued to possess divine authority and power, but he refused to use them selfishly or independently of the Father’s will.
During his temptation, he rejected the suggestion that he should turn stones into bread to satisfy his hunger. Before his crucifixion, he also refused to summon heavenly forces to rescue him.
These decisions did not demonstrate an absence of power. They revealed voluntary restraint and complete obedience.
Jesus consistently acted in unity with the Father. As he explained in John 5:19, the Son did nothing independently but carried out what he saw the Father doing.
His self-emptying therefore involved surrendering the independent use of divine privileges for personal comfort, protection or advantage.
He Chose the Position of a Servant
Although Christ possessed equality with God, he did not use his status for personal gain. Instead, he accepted the role of a servant.
The Greek word doulos, used in Philippians 2, can refer to a bondservant or slave. It communicates the depth of Christ’s humility and willingness to place himself at the service of others.
Jesus demonstrated this attitude throughout his ministry. He cared for the sick, welcomed the rejected and identified with the poor and vulnerable.
He also washed his disciples’ feet, performing a task normally assigned to the lowest servant in a household. Through that act, he taught that true greatness is expressed through humble service.
As Jesus declared in Mark 10:45, he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
His Humility Led to the Cross
The fullest expression of Christ’s self-emptying was his willingness to die.
Paul continues:
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:8
Crucifixion was one of the most humiliating and painful forms of execution in the Roman world. It was commonly associated with slaves, rebels and serious criminals.
Jesus willingly submitted to public shame, suffering and death even though he was innocent. His journey from heavenly glory to crucifixion represents the ultimate act of humility and sacrificial love.
According to the Christian message, he accepted this humiliation to provide forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption for humanity.
A Pattern of Humility for Believers
Paul’s purpose in describing Christ’s self-emptying was not merely to explain a theological doctrine. He presented Jesus as the supreme example of how believers should treat one another.
Philippians 2:3–5 calls Christians to reject selfish ambition, value others and place their needs above personal interests. Christ’s incarnation and death demonstrate what this attitude looks like in its purest form.
Jesus did not empty himself of his deity. He emptied himself by taking on humanity, embracing servanthood, restraining the use of his privileges and becoming obedient even to death on the cross.
The Kenosis therefore reveals both who Jesus is and how his followers are called to live—with humility, obedience, sacrifice and love.
Source: Omanghana
