Jesus emptied himself by taking on human form and humbling himself by becoming obedient to death on the cross. The passage in Philippians 2:6-8 is about Christ emptying himself by coming in human likeness and dying on the cross, not about his birth. It teaches that we should have the mind of Christ and focus on his sacrifice and suffering and submission to death out of obedience to God.

1. Jesus Emptied Himself
Philippians 2:6-8 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 bondservant, 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

2. Introduction
There are several
misunderstandings about this
passage.
First – put this passage under
the microscope
Then – We will back away
and see what it is teaching

3. MICROSCOPE
We will look at the important words in
Philippians 2:6-8
FORM – v. 6 (being in the form of God) & 7
(taking the form of a bondservant)
The same word is used in Mark 16:12 After
that, He appeared in another form to two of
them as they walked and went into the
country.

4. MICROSCOPE
FORM
ROBBERY v. 2 did not consider it robbery
This is an error in translation
Most translations say “a thing to be grasped”
Jesus was not robbed
He saw that he could let go

5. MICROSCOPE
FORM
ROBBERY
EQUAL – 2 to be equal with God
Somthing that is like another thing, the
same, equal, in agreement

6. MICROSCOPE
FORM
ROBBERY
EQUAL
MADE – v. 7 but made Himself
To make or become – Mark 1:7 “become
fishers of men”

7. MICROSCOPE
FORM ROBBERY
EQUAL MADE
EMPTIED – v. 7 of no reputation (KJV,
NKJV)
Greek word – To be void, of no value, to
lower or reduce

8. MICROSCOPE
FORM ROBBERY
EQUAL MADE
EMPTIED
LIKENESS – v. 7 coming in the likeness of
men
To be alike in some aspect – Romans 6:5
For if we have been united together in the
likeness of His death, certainly we also
shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

9. MICROSCOPE
FORM ROBBERY
EQUAL MADE
EMPTIED LIKENESS
FASHION – v. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man
Fashion (KJV) = manner, charater, figure,
form – 1 Corinthians 7:31b For the form of
this world is passing away.

10. BACK AWAY
Sometimes we look too close and can't see
the real message
“We can't see the forest because all the trees
are in the way.”
What does Paul want the Philippians to
understand and do ?
Have the mind of Christ – v. 5
Focus on the cross – vs. 9-11

11. BACK AWAY
Philippians 2:6-9 is not about the birth of
Jesus in Bethlehem
This passage is about His cross
V. 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.

12. BACK AWAY
NOTICE :
He humbled himself
He was obedient unto death
Death of the cross

13. BACK AWAY
We must understand the sacrifice and
suffering of Christ.
He was over the angels
Now he is in submission to human
weakness
He was immortal and eternal but became
subject to death