Biblical Answer

Understanding the Concept of Kenosis in Philippians 2:5-11

The concept of kenosis in Philippians 2:5-11 is a crucial aspect of Christology, referring to the idea that Jesus emptied himself of his divine attributes while on earth as a man. This theory holds that Christ gave up some of his divine attributes, such as his deity itself, to take on human form. However, this understanding of kenosis is often misunderstood and has been questioned by modern scholarship. A more accurate interpretation is that Jesus did not give up his divine attributes but rather took on human attributes, making himself nothing in the sense that he became a servant, just as it is written in Philippians 2:7.

The True Meaning of Kenosis

A better approach to understanding the concept of kenosis is to think of it as a subtraction from his divine nature in the sense that Jesus became a servant. This interpretation is supported by the phrase "taking the very nature of a servant" in Philippians 2:7, which is a circumstantial explanation of the kenosis. In this sense, Jesus did not give up his divine attributes but rather took on a servant's form, which is a fundamental aspect of the incarnation. This understanding of kenosis is more in line with the biblical account of the incarnation, where Jesus becomes a servant, just as it is written in Philippians 2:7.

The Implications of Kenosis

The concept of kenosis has significant implications for our understanding of the nature of God and the incarnation. If Jesus emptied himself of his divine attributes, it would imply that he was not fully God, which is a problematic understanding of the nature of God. However, if Jesus took on human attributes and became a servant, it highlights the humility and servanthood of Jesus, which is a fundamental aspect of the incarnation. This understanding of kenosis also emphasizes the significance of the incarnation, where Jesus becomes a servant, just as it is written in Philippians 2:7. This understanding of kenosis is more in line with the biblical account of the incarnation and has significant implications for our understanding of the nature of God.