Philippians 2: 7,8. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
which we shall see afterwards.
The expression, however, is used, ευμφατικωτέρως, (more emphatically,)
to mean, — being brought to nothing.
Christ, indeed, could not divest
himself of Godhead; but He kept it concealed for a time, that it might
not be seen, under the weakness of the flesh. Hence He laid aside his
glory in the view of men, not by lessening it, but by concealing it.
In the likeness of men Γενόμενος is equivalent here to constitutus — (having been appointed.)
For Paul means that he had been brought down to the level of mankind,
so that there was in appearance nothing that differed from the common
condition of mankind.
He became obedient. Even this was great humility — that
from being Lord He became a servant; but he says that he went farther
than this, because, while he was not only immortal, but the Lord of life
and death, He nevertheless became obedient to his Father, even so far
as to endure death. This was extreme abasement."
John Calvin
