A Jot from John
"Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:5-7).
The Primary Lesson
Paul the Apostle issues a threefold directive to the Philippian Church. first, they are to be of one accord. In order to achieve this each one must humble self and take an active concern in the things of his brethren above his own concerns, wants, and needs. As the supreme example of this disposition of mind, Paul introduces the example of Christ to them. The Word, whom they knew as Jesus, "made Himself of no reputation" or "emptied Himself" (ASV). He did not consider His own pleasures, comforts, desires, or rights but put the needs of His brethren above Himself and was made in the likeness of men.
The primary lesson of this text is humility. When brethren have the mind of Christ, they are at peace, united and working spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven (Phil. 2:14-16).
In addition to the primary lesson of humility, Paul sets forth concepts that relate to the nature of Jesus Christ in the days of His flesh. A study of this text will help us understand some important questions about Jesus who is God and man (John 1:14). In coming to appreciate these concepts, we will gain an even greater appreciation for the mind of Christ that we are to acquire.
The Form of God
There are two positions taken relative to the phrase "the form of God." W.E. Vine, following E.H. Gifford, asserts that morphe includes the whole nature and essence of Deity, and is inseparable from them. It does not include anything accidental or separable such as modes of manifestation at one time attached to the form, and at another separated from it. Gifford concludes, "The Son of God could not possibly divest Himself of 'the form of God' at His incarnation without thereby ceasing to be God."
Gifford is correct in his conclusion regarding divestiture of Deity; Jesus most assuredly retained in the incarnation the essence of Divinity. However, Gifford misses the truth concerning morphe being the "essential form" or "the divine nature" without which there can be "no existence."
Notice Mark 16:12, "After that He appeared in another form unto two of them." If morphe means the divine nature without which existence is impossible, how could Jesus appear in another (heteros), that is, different essential nature? Did God cease to exist on the road to Emmaus?
This truth about morphe appears in the words compounded with it. For example, the word metamorphoo means "was transfigured" when referring to Christ in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2. The Father did not change Jesus' essential nature on the mount, only His outward appearance, that which struck the eye. In Romans 12:2, believers are commanded to be "transformed." Their outward manifestation is to be consistent with the new man that was born in baptism (cf. Romans 6:11-18). They are no longer to pattern their lives after the world. (to be continued)
Onward Rejoicing, John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
