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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The example of type Lord Jesus. I. THE IMITATION OF the Lord JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE RULE OF CHRISTIAN PRACTICE . 1 . In the outward life. He pleased not himself; he sought not the high places of the world; he did not choose a life of ease, comfort, pleasure. He lived for others; he went abrupt doing good; He cared for the temporal needs of the sick and poor. He cared for the souls of all. 2 . In the inner life of thought and feeling. The Christian must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The moral history of the Christly spirit. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," etc. "From a practical introduction in the familiar exhortation to follow the example of our Lord, St. Paul passes on to what is perhaps the most complete and formal statement in all his Epistles of the doctrine of his great humility. In this he marks out first the Incarnation, in which, 'being in the form of God, he took on him the form of a servant,' assuming a sinless but finite... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:5-11

The mind that was in Christ Jesus. The experience of Christ is the supreme example of his doctrine that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." It is here described as an incentive to our duty of unselfish humility. But as the apostle narrates the wonderful facts, and enumerates the details with evident delight on their own account, we may find in them an inexhaustible subject for meditation, and, while not forgetting the object of drawing a practical lesson from them, we may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:6-8

The humiliation of Christ. I. THE HEIGHT FROM WHICH HE . CAME IS THE MEASURE OF THE DEPTH TO WHICH HE DESCENDED . He was for ever "in the form of God;" i.e. with the essential nature of God (cf. John 13:3 , John 13:4 ). II. HIS HUMILIATION WAS NO LOSS OF GLORY OR ESSENTIAL WORTH . He is for ever in the form of God; this he could not renounce. He laid aside for a time his external equality with God. This he considered not to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation ; rather, as R.V., but emptied himself ; not, he indeed, of the Godhead, which could not be, but of its manifestation, its glory. This he did once for all, as the aorist implies, at the Incarnation. The word "emptied' involves a previous fullness, "a precedent plenitude" (Pearson on the Creed, Philippians 2:25 ). The Divine majesty of which he emptied himself was his own, his own rightful prerogative; and his humiliation was his own voluntary act—he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation - This translation by no means conveys the sense of the original According to this it would seem that he consented to be without distinction or honor among people; or that he was willing to be despised or disregarded. The Greek is ἑαυτον ἐκένωσεν heauton ekenōsen. The word κενόω kenoō means literally, to empty, “to make empty, to make vain or void.” It is rendered: “made void” in Romans 4:14; “made of none effect,” 1 Corinthians 1:17; “make void,” 1... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 2:7

Philippians 2:7. But Or, nevertheless, as αλλα frequently signifies, and is rendered in our version, particularly Mark 14:36; Joh 11:15 ; 1 Corinthians 9:12; Galatians 4:30; 2 Timothy 1:12. This is mentioned, because the critics, who would render the last clause, he did not covet, or catch at, a likeness to, or equality with God, build much of their argument on the opposition of the two clauses, and the force of this particle αλλα ; as if the sense were, He did not affect this... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:1-11

Christ’s example of humility (2:1-11)Paul gives four reasons why Christians should have greater unity between them: the encouragement given them by Christ; the power of Christ’s love working in them; the common sharing they have in the same Spirit; and the sympathetic kindness that God’s children should show to each other. Although the Philippians bring Paul much joy, that joy will not be complete till there is genuine unity among them (2:1-2). They are not to be concerned solely with their own... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 2:7

made Himself of no reputation = emptied Himself. Greek. kenoo. See Romans 4:14 . Of what He divested Himself is not stated, but Geo. Herbert's words, "He laid his glory by", i.e. the outward attributes of Deity, well suggest the meaning here. "It is assumed by some that when taking the form of a bondservant, He not only divested Himself of His Divine powers, but became as His fellows, and limited Himself (or was limited) to the knowledge and "mental status" of the age in which He lived. In... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 2:7

But he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.This verse strongly suggests Isaiah 42:1: "Behold my servant whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." It should be distinguished, however, that Christ did not actually become in any sense a servant to any man; rather his life was humble, clothed in meekness and poverty, encompassed with hatred and hostility, and... read more

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