Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
...This is the premise in summary. But it should be known that we cannot call God One, and also call Him more than one. Which is not to contradict the teachings of the Trinity or the many Names of God, but rather to reconcile every word. Thus, Light shining into darkness is One Light, not one light that is greater and one that is less, both of which are God - no, the lessor is Satan, not Christ: "The greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night."
ScottA: I gather then there is no scripture where God said he 'lowered himself.' I read the Trinity mystery faith mixed in your interpretation of this scripture - Phil 2:5-11. It is not a correct interpretation by far. I just want you to see a different an a non-trinity view.
Look at the context first. It is about a believer having the same mental attitude and sense of humility and yielding mind of Christ as Christ had and has today with his Father. This has to be understood first!
Read verses 1 through 11 carefully - it speaks of what Christ wants us to be like, a form of Christ and of course not being Christ himself as Christ is a form of God and not being God himself. This must be understood!
(Php 2:1) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
(Php 2:2) complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
(Php 2:3) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
(Php 2:4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Php 2:5) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
(Php 2:6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(Php 2:7) but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
(Php 2:8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
(Php 2:9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
(Php 2:10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
(Php 2:11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ALL ESV)
The focus of this passage (2:1-5) is about a believer having the mind of Christ given by the spirit of God.
The focus of this passage (2:6-11) is about Christ, who had/has the mind of God and never once took credit that it was his own mind and power performing the miracles and words that God spoke though Jesus.
In verse 6 it is worth noting that if someone was already God as many say Jesus was, then he would not grasp equality of being God again – makes no sense. Why grasp for something you already possess? Sounds quite odd and something to consider seriously.
So, Jesus did not consider himself to be equal with God just because he spoke, acted and performed miracles, because God his Father caused all of it. Jesus stayed humble as a servant throughout and allowed his Father to work through his mind and body, and again without Jesus taking any credit for any of it. He gave all the credit to his Father and our Father as he was obedient throughout.
God gave him a glory higher that any creation in heaven and on earth so that all must honor and bow to him as our Lord that is the glory of God.
Now for a little technical stuff…
Php 2:6 -8
The word ‘form’ is in Greek ‘morphe’ this word means ‘outer’ appearance, likeness, or image and not inner nature. If Jesus was meant to be mean God, there would be no need to ‘beat around the bush’ and say, ‘a form of.’ As we are ‘a form’ of Christ in mind, although we are not Christ (see verses 1-5). So if we have the mind of Christ are we to grasp and take credit for having the mind of Christ?
Jesus would have clearly stated he was God in the flesh.
Now the Greek word ‘morphe’ is usually interchangeable with the Greek word ‘schema’ for the English word ‘external appearance.’ There is no hint of ‘inner nature’ here.
It is good to find another verse describing Jesus and his outward appearance.
Look at Mark 16:12-13
(Mar 16:12) After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.
(Mar 16:13) And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. (ALL ESV)
We see in verse 12 that the Greek word ‘morphe’ is used to indicate the change in Jesus’ outward appearance. Jesus did not change his ‘inner nature’ in front of these two apostles. He had a changed appearance and the apostle did not recognize him at first. Luke tells this story in full.
Even when the Jews translated the Septuagint and the RCC sanctioned Apocrypha
, from Greek
into Hebrew they always translated, ‘morphe’ as ‘outer appearance’ and never inner nature.
We can understand that ‘a form of’ or ‘an image of’ is not the genuine article, right? Jesus was not intended to be called God here. He and his Father worked as the same mind, although they we still different...cannot make it any clearer.
ScottA..I don't know what you mean about the 'lights and darkness' text at the end of your post.
Bless you,
APAK
