What does Philippians 2:7 mean?
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" - Philippians 2:7

Philippians 2:7 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
This verse is a part of the larger passage in Philippians 2:5-11, which is often referred to as the "Christ Hymn." In this passage, the Apostle Paul is exhorting the Philippians to have the same mind as Christ, who, in humility and selflessness, took on the form of a servant and ultimately suffered death on the cross for the salvation of humanity.
The verse is rich with themes of humility, selflessness, and the incarnation of Christ.
The first part of the verse speaks to the voluntary self-emptying of Jesus. The phrase "But made himself of no reputation" can also be translated as "he emptied himself." This idea is central to Christian theology and is often referred to as the "kenosis" of Christ. It speaks to the act of Jesus willingly giving up his divine privileges and taking on the limitations of human form. This self-emptying is a powerful demonstration of humility and selflessness.
The second part of the verse, "and took upon him the form of a servant," underscores the idea of Christ's humility. Despite being in the form of God, he willingly took on the role of a servant, demonstrating his willingness to serve and care for others. This served as a powerful example to his disciples and to all who follow him.
Finally, the verse concludes with "and was made in the likeness of men." This phrase speaks to the incarnation of Christ, the belief that Jesus, fully God and fully human, entered into the world as a human being. This act of divine condescension underscores the depth of God's love for humanity and his desire to dwell among us.
In terms of context, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Philippi from prison, exhorting them to live in unity and humility. In this passage, he uses the example of Christ's humility and self-emptying to encourage the Philippian believers to display the same mindset in their relationships with one another. The powerful example of Christ's humility is meant to shape the attitudes and behaviors of the Philippian Christians, as well as all who read this letter.
Symbolically, this verse represents the ultimate expression of love and selflessness. Jesus, the exalted Son of God, willingly laid aside his glory and took on the form of a servant, ultimately giving his life for the redemption of humanity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths to which God was willing to go to demonstrate his love for us and reconcile us to himself.
In summary, Philippians 2:7 is a rich and profound verse that speaks to the humility, selflessness, and incarnation of Christ. It calls believers to emulate Christ's example of self-emptying and servant-hood, and serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love for humanity. The verse continues to be a source of inspiration and challenge for Christians to embody the same mindset as Christ in their own lives.
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Philippians 2:7
Philippians 2:7
Philippians 2:7
Philippians 2:7
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:"
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" - Philippians 2:7
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."
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" - 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: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." - Philippians 2:7-8
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