Bible Strands
Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the church at Philippi, embedding this line in a Christological hymn (2:6–11) that serves as the warrant for his call to humility and unity.
The words — ἐκένωσεν (ekenōsen), "emptied," is the verb that carries the verse; its result is taking μορφήν (morphēn), "form," of a servant, deliberately mirroring the "form of God" in v. 6.
The thread — The same movement from fullness to self-giving appears in 2 Corinthians 8:9 ("though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor") and Matthew 20:28 ("to serve, and to give His life as a ransom"); John 1:14 supplies the incarnation backdrop ("The Word became flesh").
Why it lands — Paul is not offering a doctrine to admire but a pattern to imitate: the reader is asked to measure their own relationships against one who "emptied" Himself for others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
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:
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Romans 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
- Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.
- Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
- Romans 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”
- Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- Isaiah 53:11 After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
- Mark 10:44 and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.