Philippians 2:7

Amplified Bible

but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man,

Revised Standard Version
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Neverthelesse he made him silfe of no reputacion and toke on him the shape of a servaunte and became lyke vnto men

Hebrew Names Version
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

New American Standard Bible
but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.

New Century Version
But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant.

Update Bible Version
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being made in the likeness of men;

Webster's Bible Translation
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

English Standard Version
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

World English Bible
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Yet emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

Weymouth's New Testament
Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but he lowide hym silf, takinge the forme of a seruaunt, and was maad in to the licknesse of men, and in abite was foundun as a man.

English Revised Version
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

Berean Standard Bible
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Contemporary English Version
Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.

American Standard Version
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

Bible in Basic English
But he made himself as nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made like men;

Complete Jewish Bible
On the contrary, he emptied himself, in that he took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are. And when he appeared as a human being,

Darby Translation
but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form, taking his place in [the] likeness of men;

International Standard Version
Instead, poured out in emptiness,Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 42:1; 52:13; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 3:8; Matthew 20:28; Mark 9:12; Luke 22:27; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; 8:3; 15:3; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14,17;">[xr] A servant's form did he possess, A mortal man becoming. In human form he chose to be,

Etheridge Translation
yet emptied he himself, and took the form of a servant, and was made in the form of men;

Murdock Translation
yet divested himself, and assumed the likeness of a servant, and was in the likeness of men, and was found in fashion as a man;

King James Version (1611)
But made himselfe of no reputation, and tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant, and was made in the likenesse of men.

New Living Translation
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

New Life Bible
He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man.

New Revised Standard
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,

Geneva Bible (1587)
But he made himself of no reputation, & tooke on him ye forme of a seruant, & was made like vnto men, and was founde in shape as a man.

George Lamsa Translation
But made himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was in the likeness of men:

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, himself, emptied, taking, a servant's form, coming to be, in men's likeness;

Douay-Rheims Bible
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But made hym selfe of no reputation, takyng on him the fourme of a seruaut, and made in the lykenesse of men, and founde in figure as a man:

Good News Translation
Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness.

Christian Standard Bible®
Instead he emptied himselfby assuming the form of a servant,taking on the likeness of humanity.And when he had come as a man,

King James Version
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Lexham English Bible
but emptied himself by taking the form of a slave, by becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man,

Literal Translation
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, having become in the likeness of men

Young's Literal Translation
but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
but made him selfe of no reputacion, and toke vpon him the shappe of a seruaunt, became like another man,

Mace New Testament (1729)
by assuming the form of a servant: being made in the likeness of men,

New English Translation
but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

New King James Version
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Instead of using his privilege, he got off and opened all the gates. He put himself at the bottom instead of thinking of himself as the boss.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Legacy Standard Bible
but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men.

Contextual Overview

¹Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, ²make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. ³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. ⁴Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], ⁶who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; ⁷but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].⁸After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

made: Psalms 22:6, Isaiah 49:7, Isaiah 50:5, Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:2, Isaiah 53:3, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 9:9, Mark 9:12, Romans 15:3, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Hebrews 2:9-18, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:3

the form: Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 49:3, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 52:13, Isaiah 53:11, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 34:24, Zechariah 3:8, Matthew 12:18, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:44, Mark 10:45, Luke 22:27, John 13:3-14, Romans 15:8

in the: Philippians 2:6, John 1:14, Romans 1:3, Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:4, Hebrews 2:14-17, Hebrews 4:15

likeness: or, habit

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:9 - bound Exodus 21:32 - General Leviticus 16:4 - holy linen coat 1 Samuel 18:4 - stripped himself 2 Samuel 6:20 - glorious 1 Kings 12:7 - If thou wilt Psalms 8:5 - thou Psalms 110:7 - therefore Isaiah 43:10 - and my servant Daniel 10:16 - like Zechariah 6:13 - bear Matthew 3:15 - for Matthew 11:29 - for Matthew 12:42 - behold Matthew 17:2 - transfigured John 1:15 - he was John 5:27 - because John 6:38 - not 1 Corinthians 11:3 - and the head of Christ 2 Corinthians 13:4 - he was Hebrews 2:17 - it Revelation 1:13 - like

Cross-References

Genesis 2:14
The third river is named Hiddekel (Tigris); it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

Genesis 2:15
So the LORD God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him.

Genesis 2:21
So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

Genesis 3:23
therefore the LORD God sent Adam away from the Garden of Eden, to till and cultivate the ground from which he was taken.

Genesis 7:22
Everything on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath and spirit of life, died.

Numbers 16:22
But they fell on their faces [before the LORD], and said, "O God, God of the spirits of all flesh! When one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?"

Numbers 27:16
"Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation

Job 4:19
'How much more [will He blame and charge] those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay, Whose foundations are in the dust, Who are crushed like a moth.

Job 27:3
As long as my life is within me, And the breath of God is [still] in my nostrils,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But made himself of no reputation,.... 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 of the far greater part were blinded, and their hearts hardened, and they saw no form nor comeliness in him to desire him; the form of God in which he was, was hid from them; they reputed him as a mere man, yea, as a sinful man, even as a worm, and no man: and to be thus esteemed, and had in such account, he voluntarily subjected himself, though infinitely great and glorious; as he did not assume deity by rapine, he was not thrust down into this low estate by force; as the angels that sinned when they affected to be as God, were drove from their seats of glory, and cast down into hell; and when man, through the instigation of Satan, was desirous of the same, he was turned out of Eden, and became like the beasts that perish; but this was Christ's own act and deed, he willingly assented to it, to lay aside as it were his glory for a while, to have it veiled and hid, and be reckoned anything, a mere man, yea, to have a devil, and not be God: O wondrous humility! astonishing condescension!

and took upon him the form of a servant; this also was voluntary; he "took upon him", was not obliged, or forced to be in the form of a servant; he appeared as one in human nature, and was really such; a servant to his Father, who chose, called, sent, upheld, and regarded him as a servant; and a very prudent, diligent, and faithful one he was unto him: and he was also a servant to his people, and ministered to men; partly by preaching the Gospel to them, and partly by working miracles, healing their diseases, and going about to do good, both to the bodies and souls of men; and chiefly by obtaining eternal redemption for his chosen ones, by being made sin and a curse for them; which though a very toilsome and laborious piece of service, yet as he cheerfully engaged in it, he diligently attended it, until he had finished it: so he was often prophesied of as a servant, in Isaiah 42:1, in which several places he is called in the Targum, עבדי משיחא, "my servant the Messiah": put these two together, "the form of God", and "the form of a servant", and admire the amazing stoop!

and was made in the likeness of men; not of the first Adam, for though, as he, he was without sin, knew none, nor did any; yet he was rather like to sinful men, and was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and was traduced and treated as a sinner, and numbered among transgressors; he was like to men, the most mean and abject, such as were poor, and in lower life, and were of the least esteem and account among men, on any score: or he was like to men in common, and particularly to his brethren the seed of Abraham, and children of God that were given him; he partook of the same flesh and blood, he had a true body, and a reasonable soul, as they; he was subject to the like sorrows and griefs, temptations, reproaches, and persecutions; and was like them in everything, excepting sin: a strange and surprising difference this, that he who was "equal to God", should be "like to [sinful] men!"

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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, or nothingness; and, hence, it is applied to a case where one lays aside his rank and dignity, and becomes in respect to that as nothing; that is, he assumes a more humble rank and station. In regard to its meaning here, we may remark:

(1) That it cannot mean that he literally divested himself of his divine nature and perfections, for that was impossible. He could not cease to be omnipotent, and omnipresent, and most holy, and true, and good.

(2) It is conceivable that he might have laid aside, for a time, the symbols or the manifestation of his glory, or that the outward expressions of his majesty in heaven might have been withdrawn. It is conceivable for a divine being to intermit the exercise of his almighty power, since it cannot be supposed that God is always exerting his power to the utmost. And in like manner there might be for a time a laying aside or intermitting of these manifestations or symbols, which were expressive of the divine glory and perfections. Yet,

(3) This supposes no change in the divine nature, or in the essential glory of the divine perfections. When the sun is obscured by a cloud, or in an eclipse, there is no real change of its glory, nor are his beams extinguished, nor is the sun himself in any measure changed. His luster is only for a time obscured. So it might have been in regard to the manifestation of the glory of the Son of God. Of course there is much in regard to this which is obscure, but the language of the apostle undoubtedly implies more than that he took an humble place, or that he demeaned himself in an humble manner. In regard to the actual change respecting his manifestations in heaven, or the withdrawing of the symbols of his glory there, the Scriptures are nearly silent, and conjecture is useless - perhaps improper. The language before us fairly implies that he laid aside that which was expressive of his being divine - that glory which is involved in the phrase “being in the form of God” - and took upon himself another form and manifestation in the condition of a servant.

And took upon him the form of a servant - The phrase “form of a servant,” should be allowed to explain the phrase “form of God,” in Philippians 2:6. The “form of a servant” is that which indicates the condition of a servant, in contradistinction from one of higher rank. It means to appear as a servant, to perform the offices of a servant, and to be regarded as such. He was made like a servant in the lowly condition which he assumed. The whole connection and force of the argument here demands this interpretation. Storr and Rosenmuller interpret this as meaning that he became the servant or minister of God, and that in doing it, it was necessary that he should become a man. But the objection to this is obvious. It greatly weakens the force of the apostle’s argument. His object is to state the depth of humiliation to which he descended, and this was best done by saying that he descended to the lowest condition of humanity and appeared in the most humble garb. The idea of being a “servant or minister of God” would not express that, for this is a term which might be applied to the highest angel in heaven. Though the Lord Jesus was not literally a servant or slave, yet what is here affirmed was true of him in the following respects:

(1) He occupied a most lowly condition in life.

(2) He condescended to perform such acts as are appropriate only to those who are servants. “I am among you as he that serveth;” Luke 22:27; compare John 13:4-15.

And was made in the likeness of men - Margin, habit. The Greek word means likeness, resemblance. The meaning is, he was made like unto people by assuming such a body as theirs; see the notes at Romans 8:3.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 7. But made himself of no reputation — εαυτονεκενωσε. He emptied himself - did not appear in his glory, for he assumed the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. And his being made in the likeness of man, and assuming the form of a servant, was a proof that he had emptied himself - laid aside the effulgence of his glory.