Philippians 2:7

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philippians 2:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
Philippians 2:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Philippians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But made himself of no reputation, etc.] Or “nevertheless emptied himself”; not of that fulness of grace which was laid up in him from everlasting, for with this he appeared when he was made flesh, and dwelt among men; nor of the perfections of his divine nature, which were not in the least diminished by his assumption of human nature, for all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily; though he took that which he had not before, he lost nothing of what he had; the glory of his divine nature was covered, and out of sight; and though some rays and beams of it broke out through his works and miracles, yet his glory, as the only begotten of the Father, was beheld only by a few; the minds…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“made himself of no reputation, and . . . and--rather as the Greek, "emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." The two latter clauses (there being no conjunctions, "and . . . and," in the Greek) expresses in what Christ's "emptying of Himself" consists, namely, in "taking the form of a servant" (see on Heb 10:5; compare Exo 21:5-6, and Psa 40:6, proving that it was at the time when He assumed a body, He took "the form of a servant"), and in order to explain how He took "the form of a servant," there is added, by "being made in the likeness of men." His subjection to the law (Luk 2:21; Gal 4:4) and to His parents (Luk 2:51), His low state as a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But made himself of no reputation - This translation by no means conveys the sense of the original According to this it would seem that he consented to be without distinction or honor among people; or that he was willing to be despised or disregarded. The Greek is ἑαυτον ἐκένωσεν heauton ekenōsen. The word κενόω kenoō means literally, to empty, “to make empty, to make vain or void.” It is rendered: “made void” in Romans 4:14; “made of none effect,” 1 Corinthians 1:17; “make void,” 1 Corinthians 9:15; “should be vain,” 2 Corinthians 9:3. The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, except in the passage before us. The essential idea is that of bringing to emptiness, vanity,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet - He was so far from tenaciously insisting upon, that he willingly relinquished, his claim. He was content to forego the glories of the Creator, and to appear in the form of a creature; nay, to he made in the likeness of the fallen creatures; and not only to share the disgrace, but to suffer the punishment, due to the meanest and vilest among them all. He emptied himself - Of that divine fulness, which he received again at his exaltation. Though he remained full, Joh 1:14, yet he appeared as if he had been empty; for he veiled his fulness from the sight of men and angels. Yea, he not only veiled, but, in some sense, renounced, the glory which he had before the world began. Taking - And…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:7 he gave up his divine privileges (literally he emptied himself): The rest of 2:7-8 explains this ultimate expression of divine self-denial (cp. 2 Cor 8:9). • the humble position of a slave (or the form of a slave): Paul might have been thinking of Isa 52:13–53:12. • and was born as a human: See John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made: Psa 22:6; Isa 49:7, Isa 50:5, Isa 50:6, Isa 52:14, Isa 53:2, Isa 53:3; Dan 9:26; Zac 9:9; Mar 9:12; Rom 15:3; Co2 8:9; Heb 2:9-18, Heb 12:2, Heb 13:3 the form: Isa 42:1, Isa 49:3, Isa 49:6, Isa 52:13, Isa 53:11; Eze 34:23, Eze 34:24; Zac 3:8; Mat 12:18; Mat 20:28; Mar 10:44, Mar 10:45; Luk 22:27; Joh 13:3-14; Rom 15:8 in the: Phi 2:6; Joh 1:14; Rom 1:3, Rom 8:3; Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14-17, Heb 4:15 likeness: or, habit Philippians 2:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification