THE GOD MAN (Phil 2:5 -11)

I. Introduction

A. This is the greatest and most moving passage Paul ever wrote about the Lord Jesus

1. The essence of it is distilled from a statement Paul had made to the Corinthians (II Cor 8:9) although Jesus was rich for our sakes He became poor.

2. Here that idea is filled out with a fullness that would encompass the universe

B. Paul is pleading with the Phillipians to live in harmony to lay aside their discords, to shed their personal ambition and pride.

I. He wants them to be humble and have a personal desire to serve which was the essence of the life of Christ.

2. His final appeal is to point to the example of Christ.

3. That example is given in verses 5-8.

4. In order to understand those verses we must look at the Greek language. Every word is chosen with meticulous care.

5. Lets consider the phrases one by one beginning in verse 6.

II. The Reality of the Godhood of Christ

A. Two words are chosen to show the unchangeable Godhead of Jesus Christ.

1. The first is huparchein, it is translated by the word BEING.

2. It describes that which a man is in his very essence and which cannot be changed. He was essentially and unalterably God.

B. He goes on to say that He was in the form of God.

1. There are two words for form - morphe and schema.

2. They are both translated form for there is no other English equivalent but they do not mean the same thing.

3. Morphe is the essential- form that never changes.

4. Schema is the outward form that changes from time to time.

5. For instance the morphe of a human being is humanity and that never changes but his schema is always changing.

6. First a baby, a youth, middle age, an aged person, We are always human beings but are changing.

7. The morphe never alters -- the schema always does.

C. The word Paul uses for Jesus being in the form of God is morphe - his unchangeable being is divine.

I. However his outward form does alter, first a baby, a young man, finally that visage is so brutally marred no one can recognize Him.

2. His schema changed but not His morphe.

III. His Equality With God (6)

A. He did not think it to be robbery to be equal with God.

1. The word used for robbery comes from a verb meaning to snatch or to clutch.

2. It can mean one of two things:

3. First, it may mean that Jesus did not need to snatch at equality with God because He had it as a right.

4. Secondly, it can mean that He did not clutch at equality with God but laid it willingly down for the sake of men.

5. However we take this it stresses the essential godhead of Jesus.

IV. He emptied himself - no reputation (Verse 7)

A. The Greek verb KENOUN means to empty. (I Cor. 15:28)

1. It can be used of removing things from a container until the container is empty.

2. It is also used of pouring something until there is nothing left.

3. Paul uses the most vivid word possible to make clear the sacrifice involved in the Incarnation.

B. Jesus emptied Himself of the independent use of his prerogatives as Deity. When He was born, He was born of the Spirit. When He spoke, He spoke the words of His Father. When He wrought a miracle, it was through the father power. It was all accomplished by Christ's dependence upon His Father.

1. He did not come into the world to be God, He was God from eternity - He came into the world as a man to live under the constraints of our humanity.

2. We stand in awe as we view Him who is almighty God hungry, weary and needy.

3. How true is that word of Paul - He who was rich for our sakes became poor.

C. He took the form of a servant.

1. The word again is morphe - Jesus truly became man.

2. He became in time what He never was in eternity past a real human being.

3. Some think of Jesus humanity much as they would think of O.T. theophanies. They think he merely took the form of humanity something like a ghost.

4. But that is not the case - this was not a theophany, but it was Jesus becoming a real human being.

D. He was made in the likeness of men. (7)

1. The word made in the Greek is part of the verb GIGNESTHAT.

2. It describes a state which is not a permanent state.

3. The idea is that of becoming and it describes a changing phase which is completely real but which passes.

4. In reference to our Lord, this means the manhood of Jesus was completely real but it was not permanent, it was to pass

V. The Fashions of a Man - His appearance was that of a man.

A. Verse 8 - The word translated fashion is the word SCHEMA

I. Schema is the outward form that changes from time to time.

2. Iris a form that can be altered by circumstance and the passing of time.

3. Fashion is a mode of dress in which we make our appearance before men.

B. Jesus incarnation was the fashion of His appearance to the whole world.

1. Paul uses the same word schema in I Cor 7:31 where he speaks of the fashion of this world passing away.

2. The schema or fashion of the world is its dress, and customs, manner of life shall pass away.

3. But that fashion or mode of existence that we know as the lowly Jesus shall pass away - it has passed away.

C. What is His position now? (Verses 9-11)

1. So his fashion as a man has passed away - He is now sharing the glory with the Father that He had from all eternity.

2. Rev 1: 10-18 give us a clear description of the Jesus that we shall see at His return.