What Does Philippians 2:7 Mean?
Philippians 2:7 describes how Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. This means he gave up his divine privileges to become human and live among us. He did not cling to his glory but humbled himself for our sake, as the full passage in Philippians 2:5-8 shows: 'Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.'
Philippians 2:7
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Key Facts
Book
Author
Paul
Genre
Epistle
Date
Approximately 62 AD
Key People
Key Takeaways
- Jesus gave up glory to serve as a human.
- True greatness means humbling yourself to serve others.
- Christ’s humility sets the pattern for Christian living.
Context of Philippians 2:7
To truly grasp what Paul means by Jesus emptying himself, we need to understand the situation in Philippi, where believers were struggling with division and pride.
The church in Philippi was facing internal rivalry and selfish ambition, so Paul urges them to adopt Christ’s mindset of humility. He points to the hymn in Philippians 2:6-11, where Jesus, though equal with God, did not cling to that status but became a servant, born in human likeness. This act of self-emptying was not a loss of divinity but a willing choice to take on human weakness and obedience, even to death on a cross.
By setting aside divine privilege, Jesus modeled the very attitude Paul wants the Philippians - and us - to live out in daily relationships.
The Meaning of 'Emptied Himself' in Philippians 2:7
The word 'emptied' - from the Greek *ekénōsen* - has sparked deep discussion over what exactly Jesus gave up when he became human.
Some early Christian thinkers believed this meant Jesus literally emptied himself of divine attributes like power or knowledge, a view called 'kenosis.' Scripture never says Jesus stopped being God. Instead, it shows him limiting the independent use of his divine qualities to fully embrace human life. For example, though he knew all things, he grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52). Though Almighty, he relied on prayer and the Spirit. This wasn't a loss of deity but a voluntary self-limitation for the sake of love and obedience.
Paul wasn't writing to defend abstract theology - he was calling believers to real humility. In Jesus' day, some expected a powerful Messiah who would crush Rome, not a suffering servant. By choosing the form of a servant, Jesus overturned worldly ideas of greatness. He fulfilled Isaiah's portrait of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53:2-3), not grasping for royal status but embracing shame and service.
This act of emptying redefines what true power looks like: not control, but sacrifice. And it sets the pattern for how we are to live - not chasing status, but serving others with the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
He didn't stop being God - he chose to live like one of us.
This leads directly into how Jesus' obedience reached its climax in death - especially death on a cross, the most shameful form of execution in the Roman world.
Living Out Christ's Humility in Everyday Life
Paul’s point in Philippians 2:7 is to call us to live like Jesus did, not merely to teach theology.
To the first readers in Philippi, this was radical: the King of the universe became a servant, so his followers should let go of pride and status too. Paul tells them, 'Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves' (Philippians 2:3).
True greatness isn't about being served - it's about serving.
This mindset flips the world’s values upside down. We’re often taught to climb, compete, and protect our reputation, but Jesus showed that real love means stepping down to serve. He didn’t grasp at power, and neither should we. We follow his example by putting others first, as he did when he washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15). This is how the gospel transforms our beliefs and our daily choices.
The Two Natures of Christ and What They Mean for Us
Philippians 2:7 doesn't stand alone - it points us into the heart of who Jesus truly is, fully divine and fully human, a truth rooted in Scripture and essential to our faith.
John 1:14 says, 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.' This shows that when Jesus took on human form, he didn’t stop being God - he added humanity to his divine nature. He was not part God or part man. He was completely both, living in perfect unity.
Colossians 2:9 confirms this: 'For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.' This means every attribute of God - holiness, power, wisdom, love - was present in Jesus, even as he hungered, wept, and suffered. He didn’t set aside his divinity but veiled its glory and submitted its expression to the Father’s will. This is crucial because only a fully divine Savior could bear the weight of our sin, and only a fully human one could represent us and walk in our shoes.
Understanding this changes how we follow Jesus - not as a distant hero but as one who knows our struggles intimately. It also shapes how we treat others in the church: if Christ humbled himself despite his glory, how much more should we lay down our pride for one another? Our unity, patience, and service reflect the reality of who Christ is.
Fully God and fully man - Jesus lived the life we couldn't live and died the death we should have died.
When we understand that Jesus lived a perfectly obedient human life empowered by his divine nature, it calls us to rely on the Spirit rather than our own strength, as he did. And this truth has power beyond the church - when communities see believers serving without grasping for status, they glimpse the upside-down kingdom Jesus came to bring.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember a time when I was passed over for a promotion at work, and instead of rejoicing for the person who got it, I felt bitter and overlooked. It hit me later how much I was still clinging to status, similar to the Philippians. But reflecting on Jesus emptying himself - leaving heaven to be born in a stable, serving fishermen, washing feet - made my pride feel small. He didn’t come to be served, and yet I was upset about not being recognized? That moment changed how I saw my role at work. I started asking, 'Who can I serve today?' not 'Who’s noticing me?' It’s not always easy, but when I fail, I feel hopeful rather than merely guilty, because Jesus knows what it’s like to struggle and still choose humility.
Personal Reflection
- Where in my life am I holding onto status, comfort, or recognition that I need to let go of, like Jesus let go of his divine privileges?
- When have I treated someone as 'beneath' me, forgetting that Christ took the form of a servant?
- What’s one way I can follow Jesus’ example this week by choosing service over self-interest, even if it costs me something?
A Challenge For You
This week, do one humble act of service that no one will notice or praise you for - something that costs you time, comfort, or pride. Also, when you feel the urge to defend your reputation or prove your worth, pause and ask, 'What would Jesus do?' remembering he emptied himself not for applause, but for love.
A Prayer of Response
Jesus, thank you for not holding onto your glory but coming down to live like me and serve me. I’m sorry for the times I’ve chased after praise or treated others like they’re less important. Help me to let go of my pride and truly serve, not for show, but because I’ve been loved by you. Fill me with your mind - the mind of a servant - so I can walk like you walked, every day.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Philippians 2:6
Sets the stage by showing Christ's divine status before his self-emptying in verse 7.
Philippians 2:8
Continues the narrative by showing how Christ's humility led to obedience and death on the cross.
Connections Across Scripture
John 1:14
Reveals the Word becoming flesh, directly connecting to Christ taking human form in Philippians 2:7.
Colossians 2:9
Affirms that all divine fullness dwells in Christ, clarifying that his emptying did not mean loss of deity.
Isaiah 53:2
Foretells the Messiah’s humble appearance, fulfilling the 'likeness of men' described in Philippians 2:7.