Page 38 - Christology - Student Textbook

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Brien notes that instead, Jesus displayed God’s nature or form in a nature or form of a servant.
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death—even the embarrassing death on the cross (v8).
Wayne Grudem suggests that emptying could have included His “role and status, not essential
attributes or nature.” The nature of those statuses and privileges might include “glory” (John 17:5)
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and riches (2 Cor. 8:9).

To follow Christ in His humility means personal sacrifice. You put Christ first, and yourself second.
You give over your desires to His desires. It might be painful. You may have to move out of your
comfort zone.

In verses 9-11, the main thrust of the passage is about the blessings that awaited Jesus after
experiencing humility. In the Bible, humility is talked about often. It demonstrates that one was
willing to learn and come under the guidance of someone (Exod. 10:3; Lev 16:29; 1 Kings 21:29; 2
Chr. 7:14). Some passages suggest that there is a reward for acts of humility (1 Kings 21:29; 2 Chr.
7:14; Ps 37:11; 69:32; 76:9; Prov. 11:2; Matt. 23:12; Luke 1:52; 14:11; Jas 4:6; 4:10; 1 Pet 5:6).

8.3. Let’s Practice this Lesson…

1. What is the connotation of the word “emptying”?

2. Explain why “emptying” is a crucial subject.

3. What did some scholars mention which Jesus Christ gave up in His incarnation?

4. According to Philippians 2, what did Jesus empty?

5. What two participles describe the verb empty in Phil 2:6-8?

6. What is the function of the participles that describe the emptying in Phil 2:7?

109 O’ Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians, 224.

110 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 550-51.

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