He Did Not Empty Himself Of His Deity. He Figuratively Poured Himself Out Like A Drink Offering

B.B. Warfield once wrote an article on Philippians 2 titled, “Imitating the Incarnation.” This is precisely the aim of Paul in Philippians 2, that we should have the same mind of Jesus Christ.

Paul explains for us what Christ’s perspective was in the state of his humiliation. “Even though he was in the form of God…” Form is not the best translation. The meaning is that Jesus was in very nature, God. From eternity Jesus had a divine nature.

The surprise follows as Paul explains that Jesus, as true and eternal God, “did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped.” Jesus did not hold onto that equality selfishly for his own advantage. This is an overwhelming truth, that even though Jesus was robed in eternal glory with the Father, he did not consider, in the incarnation, this status as something to be secured for his own benefit to lord it over others.

Paul wants us to ponder this gospel truth. The eternal Son of God, who, in his majesty, splendor, and glory, the one who is and always was truly God, did not grasp this status for his own advantage. Instead, Jesus left that glorious home, in coming to this earth, emptied himself by taking on our human nature. Read more»

Chris Gordon | “Imitating the Incarnation” | AGR Live | September 24, 2021

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  • R. Scott Clark
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    R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.

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