The Doctrine of Christ - Kenosis
"But made himself of not reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" (Philippians 2:7)
The word kenosis is the Greek word for "emptying" and is related to the verb translated here as "made himself of no reputation," which literally means "He emptied Himself." Christ emptied Himself by:
1) veiling His glory and
2) taking on Himself a true but sinless human nature, and
3) voluntarily submitting to the will of the Father.
Illustration: At all times, Christ remained God, retaining the nature and attributes of God, but taking a human nature in order to have a ministry among men. On the few occasions when His glory was more fully revealed during His ministry, those who saw it were unable to bear it (Matt. 17:6; John 18:6).
Application: The apostle Paul urges that the attitude of humility (which led to kenosis) ought to characterize every Christian.
The word kenosis is the Greek word for "emptying" and is related to the verb translated here as "made himself of no reputation," which literally means "He emptied Himself." Christ emptied Himself by:
1) veiling His glory and
2) taking on Himself a true but sinless human nature, and
3) voluntarily submitting to the will of the Father.
Illustration: At all times, Christ remained God, retaining the nature and attributes of God, but taking a human nature in order to have a ministry among men. On the few occasions when His glory was more fully revealed during His ministry, those who saw it were unable to bear it (Matt. 17:6; John 18:6).
Application: The apostle Paul urges that the attitude of humility (which led to kenosis) ought to characterize every Christian.
posted by Andrew Brown at 9:12 PM
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