What does "made himself of no reputation" truly mean in the context of Christ's divinity?

The phrase "made himself of no reputation" translates the Greek word ekenōsen (from kenóō), which means "to empty." Theologically, this is known as the

. It does *not* mean that Jesus emptied Himself of His divine nature or ceased to be God. Rather, it signifies that He voluntarily laid aside the outward display of His divine glory and the independent exercise of His divine prerogatives and privileges that He possessed as God. He willingly embraced the limitations and vulnerabilities of human existence, submitting Himself to the Father's will and relying on the Holy Spirit. He remained fully God, but in His Incarnation, He chose not to exploit His divine status for His own benefit, but to humble Himself completely for the sake of humanity's redemption, as further explained in Philippians 2:8.

Did Jesus truly become a human being, or was it just an appearance?

Philippians 2:7 explicitly states that Jesus "was made in the likeness of men," confirming His genuine and complete humanity. The Greek word for "was made" (gínomai) indicates a real coming into being or becoming, not a mere illusion. While "likeness" (homoíōma) emphasizes His full identification with humanity, it also subtly distinguishes Him from sinful humanity, implying He was fully human yet without sin (as seen in Hebrews 4:15). The New Testament consistently affirms that Jesus was truly God and truly man, possessing both natures perfectly united in one person. He experienced human hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, and temptation, demonstrating that His humanity was not a facade but a fundamental reality of the Incarnation, essential for Him to be our sympathetic High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for sin.

2:6 2:6

Philippians 2:7

2:8 2:8

Bible Versions

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

But {G235} made {G2758} himself {G1438} of no reputation {G2758}, and took upon him {G2983} the form {G3444} of a servant {G1401}, and was made {G1096} in {G1722} the likeness {G3667} of men {G444}:

On the contrary, he emptied himself,
in that he took the form of a slave
by becoming like human beings are.

And when he appeared as a human being,

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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Cross-References

2 Corinthians 8:9

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Bible Versions

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