Monday, October 24, 2022

Calvin on Philippians 2:5-11 Series: vs.7,8

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. 
 
"Emptied Himself. This emptying is the same as the abasement, as to
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