1 Cor 2: 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God

The Kenosis (self-limitation or emptying)

Through the incarnation, Jesus, as God became a real man. But how could God take on humanity and still be God?

Three concepts must be carefully examined.

The "kenosis" of Christ

The real humanity of Christ

The hypostatic union

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The above passage provides the key text on the "kenosis" (self-limitation or emptying of Christ) and it teaches 4 basic truths about Christ:

The scripture below also contributes to our understanding:

Romans :3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Hebrews 2:14

The eternal deity - verse 6: being in very nature God

The real humanity of Christ - verse 7: being made in human likeness

The servanthood mission of Christ - verse 8: as a man.... He became obedient even to death on a cross

The exaltation of Christ - verse 9-11: Jesus Christ is Lord

But what does it say that Christ made himself nothing in Philippians 2:7. If in some way Christ ceased to be God when he became a man, then He was not really God and Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; is not true.

So Jesus added humanity to His deity without subtracting from His deity in order to be the Savior.

So what does the "Kenosis" mean? Notice the phrases used in Philippians 2:6-8

• verse 6 - did not consider equality with God something to be grasped?
• Verse 7 - made himself nothing
• Verse 8 - he humbled himself

THE EMPHASIS THEN OF THE "KENOSIS" IS THAT CHRIST:

1. voluntarily gave up the right to use some divine prerogatives, and his divine position for a time.
2. condescended to add unglorified humanity to his deity.
3. agreed to limit the use of some of his divine attributes while a man.
4. voluntarily depended on the Holy Spirit during his earthly ministry. Acts: 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
5. sacrificially became God's servant
This is what Isaiah 9.6 anticipates for the God-man Jesus Christ
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Instead of grasping His glory Christ gained glory by giving up the right to His divine position and prerogatives for a season in order to accomplish the Father's redemptive plan.

Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who [a]at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [b]worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had [c]by Himself [d]purged [e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

NEXT POST: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE KENOSIS

This is a Bible School Course that I did more than 20 years ago and it is my privilege to study again and share with you.
Thank you for reading and studying with me, I would love to hear from you in the comments.

Source: Dr Dennis J. Mock: Bible training for church leadership, Bible Doctrine Survey, course no. 4
Scripture references: New King James Version

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