Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

VUL Philippians 2:6 qui cum in forma Dei esset non rapinam arbitratus est esse se aequalem Deo
LWB Philp. 2:7 But He deprived Himself [by exercising divine sovereignty] of the proper
function of Deity [kenosis] when He took upon Himself the form [inner essence] of a slave,
although He had been born [entered into the new state of humanity] in the overt likeness
[resemblance] of men. In fact, although having been discovered in outward appearance like
a man [humanly speaking],
KW Philp. 2:7 But himself He emptied, himself He made void, having taken the outward
expression of a bondslave, which expression comes from and is truly representative of His nature
[as deity], entering into a new state of existence, that of mankind.
KJV
Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Rather than grabbing and holding onto His divine essence and attributes, Jesus Christ voluntarily
deprived Himself (Dramatic Aorist tense) of the proper functions of deity. He exercised His divine
sovereignty in this momentous decision, which occurred when (Temporal Participle) He took upon
Himself (Dramatic Aorist tense) the form of a slave. In other words, He went from the highest (His
inner expression of deity) to the lowest (the outer form of a man, and the lowest form of a man – a
slave). Thinking as a man, if we were God, having all the attributes of deity, we would have taken on
the outward form of a king; but Christ stooped to the level of a bondslave. He did this in spite of the
fact (Concessive Participle) that He was born in time in the likeness of man.
Jesus Christ entered into a new state of existence at this time. He pre-existed as deity, but entered
time as we know it in humanity. His divine essence existed in eternity past, but His humanity came
into existence at a point in time in human history. He did not possess the overt likeness of humanity
in eternity past; we were made in His image, He was not made in our image. We would have
retained the functions of deity, if we were God, and would no doubt have exercised our deity on a
frequent basis! But even though Jesus was deity and found Himself (Constative Aorist tense) in
outward appearance as a man after His sovereign decision, He did not exert power over human
beings in an arrogant fashion. Instead, He submitted Himself to the divine plan of God in genuine
humility.
If we were gods, would we come to earth in the body of a slave? No, I think we would choose to
come to earth in a body of perfect physique and with all pomp and circumstance. If we were gods,
would we come to earth and live in genuine humility? No, I think we would choose to exert power
and control over everyone and everything in our periphery, constantly utilizing our divine attributes.
If we were gods, would we come to earth and submit to spiritual and physical death on the cross for
the benefit of lesser beings? No, I think we would sit on the throne and enjoy wielding power over
the universe for mankind to see on a regular basis. Paul is showing us how the infinite God came to