Christ's Self-Emptying VS Christ's Self-Humiliation
Philippians 4:5-7 "Let your forbearance be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: That, being in the form of God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God also exalted him to the highest place and bestowed on him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
|
Analysis Item |
Christ's Self-Emptying (Phil 2:5-7) |
Christ's Self-Humiliation (Phil 2:8-11) |
|---|---|---|
|
Scripture Range |
Philippians 2:5-7 |
Philippians 2:8-11 |
|
Core Scripture |
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." |
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place." |
|
Definition |
Emptied himself in the Godhead, laying aside divine glory, power, rank, and form |
Humbled himself in humanity, becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross |
|
Scope of Action |
Action within the Godhead |
Action within humanity |
|
Timing |
At the Incarnation |
During earthly life and crucifixion |
|
Essential Character |
Concealment and limitation of divinity |
Obedience and sacrifice in humanity |
|
Greek Verb |
κένωσις (kenosis) - emptying |
ταπεινόω (tapeinoo) - humbling |
|
Affected Areas |
Divine glory, power, rank, and form |
Human status, dignity, and life |
|
Specific Manifestations |
• Laid aside divine glory • Took the form of a servant • Became in human likeness • Accepted limitations of time and space • Chose the position of Son in Godhead • Submitted to Father's authority |
• Willingly obeyed Father's will • Endured the pain of the cross • Bore the shame of the cross • Obedient unto death • Died on the most shameful cross |
|
Purpose |
To qualify for obedience, creating the principle of submission |
To complete the work of redemption, fulfilling God's will |
|
Result |
People did not recognize Him as God, considering Him an ordinary man |
God highly exalted Him, every knee shall bow |
|
Related Scriptures |
• John 14:28 "The Father is greater than I" • John 1:14 "The Word became flesh" • 2 Cor 8:9 "Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor" • Heb 2:17 "He had to be made like them, fully human" |
• Heb 5:8 "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered" • Matt 26:39 "Yet not as I will, but as you will" • John 10:18 "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" • Isa 53:7 "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth" |
|
Theological Significance |
• Created the principle of obedience • In Godhead: Father as head, Son obedient • Obedience more difficult than creating heaven and earth • Must first empty divine glory to qualify for obedience |
• Completed the practice of obedience • Obedience in Godhead most wonderful thing in universe • Authority and submission existed from beginning • Christ represents the principle of submission |
|
Spiritual Applications |
Humble Attitude: • Not grasping equality as advantage • Voluntarily laying down rights and privileges Servant Spirit: • Taking servant form to serve others • Identifying with humanity |
Obedient Character: • Willingly submitting to God's will • Remaining obedient in difficulties Sacrificial Love: • Enduring pain and shame • Self-sacrifice unto death |
|
Teaching for Believers |
• Learn Christ's humble mind • Don't be concerned about status • Actively serve others • Lay down personal rights |
• Learn willing submission • Learn obedience through suffering • Persevere in trust • Believe God exalts the humble |
|
Contemporary Meaning |
• Leaders must have servant hearts • Strong must care for weak • Rich must care for poor • Capable must serve incapable |
• Learn submission under authority • Accepting submission means accepting Christ • Those filled with Christ are filled with submission • Submission is basic Christian character |
|
Relationship Between Two Stages |
Prerequisite and Preparation: Self-emptying is prerequisite for self-humiliation; must first empty divine glory to truly humble in humanity |
Practice and Completion: Self-humiliation is practice of self-emptying, concretely living out complete obedience in humanity |
|
Final Result |
Created possibility for obedience, established principle of submission |
God highly exalted Him, gave Him name above every name, that glory might be to God the Father |
Core Points:
- * Christ's two acts of humiliation represent a complete redemptive process
- * Self-emptying (kenosis) in the Godhead precedes self-humiliation in humanity
- * Both demonstrate perfect love, obedience, and create the principle of Christian submission
- * The result is God's ultimate exaltation of Christ and glory to the Father
Conclusion:
This analysis reveals that Christ's self-emptying and self-humiliation are not separate events but interconnected stages of the incarnation and redemption. Through these acts, Christ not only accomplished our salvation but also established the fundamental Christian principles of humility, service, and obedience that believers are called to emulate.
*Please refer to the 2025 June Semi-Annual Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Part 2: Knowing Christ as Our Model and Taking Him as Our Model
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