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Pressing-On

02-07-2018 07:04 AM

Being in the form of God, thought it not robbery

Quote:

Thought it not robbery to be equal with God; R.V. "counted it not a prize [margin, 'a thing to be grasped'] to be on an equality with God." These two renderings represent two conflicting interpretations of this difficult passage. Do the words mean that Christ asserted his essential Godhead ("thought it not robbery to be equal with God," as A.V.), or that he did not cling to the glory of the Divine majesty ("counted it not a prize," as R.V.)? Both statements are true in fact.

Pulpit Commentary

Quote:

Thought it not robbery to be equal with God - This passage, also, has given occasion to much discussion. Prof. Stuart renders it: "did not regard his equality with God as an object of solicitous desire;" that is, that though he was of a divine nature or condition, be did not eagerly seek to retain his equality with God, but took on him an humble condition - even that of a servant. - Barnes

Yet, I find that Gill seems to have it more correct, in my estimation:

Quote:

Philippians 2:6
thought it no robbery to be equal with God; the Father; for if he was in the same form, nature, and essence, he must be equal to him, as he is; for he has the same perfections, as eternity, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, immutability, and self-existence: hence he has the same glorious names, as God, the mighty God, the true God, the living God, God over all, Jehovah, the Lord of glory, &c. the same works of creation and providence are ascribed to him, and the same worship, homage, and honour given him: to be "in the form of God", and to be "equal with God", signify the same thing, the one is explanative of the other: and this divine form and equality, or true and proper deity, he did not obtain by force and rapine, by robbery and usurpation, as Satan attempted to do, and as Adam by his instigation also affected; and so the mind of a wicked man, as Philo the Jew says (i), being a lover of itself and impious, οιομενος ισος ειναι θεω, "thinks itself to be equal with God", a like phrase with this here used; but Christ enjoyed this equality by nature; he thought, he accounted, he knew he had it this way; and he held it hereby, and of right, and not by any unlawful means; and he reckoned that by declaring and showing forth his proper deity, and perfect equality with the Father, he robbed him of no perfection; the same being in him as in the Father, and the same in the Father as in him; that he did him no injury, nor deprived him of any glory, or assumed that to himself which did not belong to him: as for the sense which some put upon the words, that he did not "affect", or "greedily catch" at deity; as the phrase will not admit of it, so it is not true in fact; he did affect deity, and asserted it strongly, and took every proper opportunity of declaring it, and in express terms affirmed he was the Son of God; and in terms easy to be understood declared his proper deity, and his unity and equality with the Father; required the same faith in himself as in the Father, and signified that he that saw the one, saw the other, Mar_14:61 Joh_5:17. Others give this as the sense of them, that he did not in an ostentatious way show forth the glory of his divine nature, but rather hid it; it is true, indeed, that Christ did not seek, but carefully shunned vain glory and popular applause; and therefore often after having wrought a miracle, would charge the persons on whom it was wrought, or the company, or his disciples, not to speak of it; this he did at certain times, and for certain reasons; yet at other times we find, that he wrought miracles to manifest forth his glory, and frequently appeals to them as proofs of his deity and Messiahship: and besides, the apostle is speaking not of what he was, or did in his incarnate state, but of what he was and thought himself to be, before he became man; wherefore the above sense is to be preferred as the genuine one, - Gill

The scriptures, IMO, do not ever seem to imply that Jesus was trying to separate Himself from the Glory of the Father, i.e., "thought it not a prize to be grasped at to be equal with God," as Ellicott's Commentary states.

Philippians 2:7 begins with "but", which indicates that verse 6 and 7 are opposed to each other. I do not believe the "but" goes as far in opposition as some Commentators state.

Jesus tells us that "greater things than these will you do..."

I believe that Philippians is simply saying that while we acknowledge the power and authority we have with God through the Spirit, our main desire should always be love and compassion which only belongs to a servant.

As way of example, the gifts of the Spirit are something to be desired. However, if we desire them to bolster or set our ministry apart we are on the road to shipwreck. As I heard a pastor state, "the crazy side of Waco" or something to that effect.

But, if we pray and seek the Gifts because we have love and compassion toward those who need God to come in and lift them up in the most miraculous way to set their lives in order, that is what the heart of a true servant looks like to me.

Just my thoughts today - Seek charity...

Amanah

02-07-2018 07:43 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

good thoughts.

thephnxman

02-07-2018 07:57 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

His NAME is Jesus!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On (Post 1519444)

I have been studying this passage in Philippians 2:6, noticing the translations are kind of all over the place.Yet, I find
that Gill seems to have it more correct, in my estimation:

The scriptures, IMO, do not ever seem to imply that Jesus was trying to separate Himself from the Glory of the Father,
i.e., "thought it not a prize to be grasped at to be equal with God," as Ellicott's Commentary states.

Philippians 2:7 begins with "but", which indicates that verse 6 and 7 are opposed to each other. I do not believe the
"but" goes as far in opposition as some Commentators state. Just my thoughts today - Seek charity...

We must read the complete content and context:

(v5)Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(v6)Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(v7)But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(v8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(v5) Let the will and desire abide in you that was in [the man] Christ Jesus
(v6) being in the body prepared of God, did not consider it unrighteous to be
considered God, himself:
(v7) But he disposed himself of his glory, by being robed in flesh as a man
and becoming a servant, instead of being served:
(v8) He humbled himself to the uttermost by being clothed in humanity, and
obeyed the Highest Calling in his sacrificial death on the cross.

He could not humble Himself more: for then he would have to be an animal!

Brother Villa

Pressing-On

02-07-2018 09:22 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by thephnxman (Post 1519451)

His NAME is Jesus!

We must read the complete content and context:

(v5)Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(v6)Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(v7)But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(v8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(v5) Let the will and desire abide in you that was in [the man] Christ Jesus
(v6) being in the body prepared of God, did not consider it unrighteous to be
considered God, himself:
(v7) But he disposed himself of his glory, by being robed in flesh as a man
and becoming a servant, instead of being served:
(v8) He humbled himself to the uttermost by being clothed in humanity, and
obeyed the Highest Calling in his sacrificial death on the cross.

He could not humble Himself more: for then he would have to be an animal!

Brother Villa

He couldn't have disposed himself of his glory. John 1:14 says, "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,..."

We see His glory in the "face" of Jesus Christ.

When the NT talks about "glory" - it is saying - God is here - manifest in the flesh.

He wants us to carry His power, but use it with the mind of a servant. That is what He did and why He could say, "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." - Mark 10:43-45

The NT church is a spiritual entity. I believe we are getting away from that. People are afraid of the gifts, but never stopped to realize that the mistakes they have encountered were done by those who were and have been self-serving.

How can Jesus not talk about Acts 2:38, besides because it wasn't yet written, when He mentions the "Kingdom has come"? Because He was here to show us how the Kingdom operates. Acts 2:38 shows us how to enter into the Kingdom.

For example, Jesus says, "Be healed". When we enter into that Kingdom by obeying Acts 2:38, we then turn and act like Jesus, saying - "Be healed."

It is all about operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, having the importance of the Kingdom in our purview and not ourselves. "Without Him, we can do nothing."

Pressing-On

02-07-2018 09:25 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanah (Post 1519448)

good thoughts.

Thanks, Amanah. I am sure you will mull some things over. Please come back and add your thoughts as well! :thumbsup

thephnxman

02-07-2018 12:12 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

His NAME is Jesus!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On (Post 1519461)

He couldn't have disposed himself of his glory. John 1:14 says, "We have seen his glory, the glory of the
one and only Son,..."
We see His glory in the "face" of Jesus Christ. When the NT talks about "glory" - it is saying - God is here -
manifest in the flesh. He wants us to carry His power, but use it with the mind of a servant. That is what
He did and why He could say, "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you,
shall be your minister:
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom
for many." - Mark 10:43-45
The NT church is a spiritual entity. I believe we are getting away from that. People are afraid of the gifts,
but never stopped to realize that the mistakes they have encountered were done by those who were and
have been self-serving. How can Jesus not talk about
Acts 2:38, besides because it wasn't yet written,
when He mentions the "Kingdom has come"? Because He was here to show us how the Kingdom operates.
Acts 2:38 shows us how to enter into the Kingdom.
For example, Jesus says, "Be healed". When we enter into that Kingdom by obeying Acts 2:38, we then turn and
act like Jesus, saying - "Be healed."
It is all about operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, having the importance of the Kingdom in our purview
and not ourselves. "Without Him, we can do nothing."

________________________________________

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I HAD with thee BEFORE the world was.

We must remember that the disciples did not have the same knowledge
then, that we (those who have the Holy Spirit) have today. The gospels
"according to" were written AFTER the Lord's resurrection, his descending
to earth, and his ascension; also, they did not receive the understanding of
many things until then!

There is no glory in the flesh, for "...the flesh profits nothing: it is the Spirit
that quickens." Which brings us to His glory.

Just what is His glory? Jesus said, "...the words that I speak unto you I
speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he DOES THE WORKS."
When we speak truth, the Father (if He indeed dwells in us), He will most
certainly do the works...and be glorified in us!

Brother Villa

Esaias

02-07-2018 12:12 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

To add to the discussion... if you look closely you will see in the text that Christ did what Adam was supposed to do, and refused to do what Adam actually did. And as a result, Christ got what Adam was trying to get (but didn't). In fact, Christ got what Adam tried to get by voluntarily submitting Himself to what was forced upon Adam.

The passage is a wonderful statement of Paul's "Adam Christology", that is, of Christ as the Second Adam who recapitulates Adam's history and reverses Adam's failure.

Pressing-On

02-07-2018 12:27 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519476)

I am filing my taxes today, but wanted to encourage you to write a bit more on this. For instance, when you say, "Christ did what Adam was supposed to do", etc., work that out into more of a Bible study style when you get the chance. :thumbsup

Amanah

02-07-2018 12:40 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On (Post 1519481)

I agree.

thephnxman

02-07-2018 05:58 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by thephnxman (Post 1519451)

His NAME is Jesus!

We must read the complete content and context:

(v5)Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(v6)Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(v7)But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

(v8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(v5) Let the will and desire abide in you that was in [the man] Christ Jesus
(v6) being in the body prepared of God, did not consider it unrighteous to be
considered God, himself:
(v7) But he disposed himself of his glory, by being robed in flesh as a man
and becoming a servant, instead of being served:
(v8) He humbled himself to the uttermost by being clothed in humanity, and
obeyed the Highest Calling in his sacrificial death on the cross.

He could not humble Himself more: for then he would have to be an animal!

Brother Villa

I BEG EVERYONE'S PARDON:
The correct word should have been DIVESTED,and not disposed.

But be not astounded: for if the word spoken by God was then divested of its glory
only to be clothed/robed in humanity, it will also soon be divested of its humanity
to be clothed/robed again in His glory!

Brother Villa

Esaias

02-08-2018 02:36 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1. The first couple verses establish the context - the attitude that Christians are to have. Paul wants the brethren to have the same attitude, an attitude that rejects "vainglory" and self-seeking. Instead, they are to have an attitude of humility and service, esteeming each other better than themselves, concerned for the well-being of others, etc.

2. They are to have the same attitude that Christ had. Christ did not seek His own personal benefit, but was a Servant not only of God but to all of us, acting on our behalf rather than on His own.

3. Adam was made a little lower than the angels. But Adam grasped at the supposed chance to be a god, to be equal with God. He grasped at god-like knowledge, attempting to steal his way to divinity. But instead he was expelled from the Garden and became subject to death, cut off from immortality. Adam, though made in the image and likeness of God, was not content with his assigned lot, but grasped at deification by illegitimate means. And the result was death and dishonour.

4. Christ, likewise in the form of God, did not think of being like God as something that had to be stolen, or as something to be obtained by illegitimate means. Rather, He voluntarily submitted to humility, ministered as a servant, and submitted even to death. In return, He was exalted, made immortal, and given a name equivalent to God. He was placed on an equal footing with God as a result of His exaltation, which in turn was due to Him willingly being a servant subject to death.

In other words, Adam and Christ were both "in the form or likeness of God". Both were assigned a human, subangelic existence. But Adam tried to grab hold of divinity, seeking what was thought to be to his advantage, and by this rebellion fell into dishonour and death.

Christ, however, did what Adam should have done - submitted Himself to the will of God. In fact, Christ voluntarily submitted Himself to servanthood, and even death (Adam's punishment). And the result was His exaltation and glorification and immortality. Christ re-enacted, in a sense, the story of Adam, but reversed the outcome by reversing the "choice" Adam made.

This demonstrated Christ's attitude, as one of selfless devotion to God and neighbor, as opposed to Adam's attempt to satisfy his own personal desires. Just as Christ's attitude led to glorification, so it is with us: God will honour those who humble themselves, those who follow Christ's example will be glorified with Him. Whereas the other way, the way of the self directed and self pleasing Adam, only leads to humiliation and failure. Those who follow Adam's example will suffer Adam's fate - death and indignity.

This passage is thus showing how Christ functions as the Second Adam, reversing Adam's Fall and its consequences of death and condemnation. This "Adam Christology" is further elaborated on in Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 and 45-49.

There are several Christologies in the NT, and Christ as Second Adam is one of them. The others are Christ as Wisdom, Christ as Son of Man, Christ as Son of God, Christ as Spirit, Christ as Melchizedek Priest, Christ as Word/Logos, Christ as Son of David, Christ as Passover, Christ as Atonement, Christ as Immanuel, and several others.

Esaias

02-08-2018 02:45 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519517)

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When viewed this way, the traditional trinitarian interpretation of this verse as describing a pre-incarnate Christ putting aside His divine glory to become a human being, with all the problems attendant on such as interpretation, goes away. This passage then is understood to be speaking NOT about a pre-incarnate divine being existing in the form of God, becoming human. But rather, it is seen to be speaking of how Christ (a man and thus already incarnate) recognized that equality with God was not something to be obtained illegitimately (contrary to Adam's attempt). He had a different attitude, one of humility and service, rather than one of self seeking.

And that is, in fact, Paul's entire point: that we should think and act likewise.

Amanah

02-08-2018 03:33 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519517)

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

thank you Elder, this is awesome teaching.

TGBTG

02-08-2018 08:59 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519518)

To me, your explanation sounds more like Arianism.

Esaias

02-08-2018 12:45 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGBTG (Post 1519532)

To me, your explanation sounds more like Arianism.

Both trinitarianism and Arianism postulate Christ was a preincarnate being existing in a divine "form of God" who then emptied himself of visible divine glory and power in order to become human.

My explanation is actually the most thoroughly Oneness explanation, because it understands Christ AS ALREADY INCARNATE. Christ is, after all, a human. The term Christ is a reference to the descendant of David, and therefore the term presupposes human existence and nature. It MAKES NO THEOLOGICAL SENSE to speak of Christ pre existing the Incarnation then becoming human.

My understanding and explanation of the passage keeps it in context - the attitude held by the MAN from Galilee who was exalted upon His resurrection and ascension. THAT is Bible doctrine.

So no, my explanation is as far from Arianism as it is from trinitarianism. :)

thephnxman

02-08-2018 01:09 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

His NAME is Jesus!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519561)

Both trinitarianism and Arianism postulate Christ was a preincarnate being existing in a divine "form of God"
who then emptied himself of visible divine glory and power in order to become human.
My explanation is actually the (1)most thoroughly Oneness explanation, because it understands Christ (2)AS ALREADY
INCARNATE. Christ is, after all, a human. The term Christ is a reference to the descendant of David, and therefore
the term presupposes human existence and nature. It MAKES NO THEOLOGICAL SENSE to speak of Christ pre-
existing the Incarnation then becoming human.
My understanding and explanation of the passage keeps it in context - the attitude held by the MAN from Galilee who
was exalted upon His resurrection and ascension. (3)THAT is Bible doctrine.
So no, my explanation is as far from Arianism as it is from trinitarianism. :)

(1) "most thoroughly oneness" as opposed to trinitarianism and arianism;
(2) please explain the term "already incarnate";
(3) is your explanation "Bible doctrine, or is the "resurrection and ascension"?

Thank you.

Brother Villa

Esaias

02-08-2018 01:38 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by thephnxman (Post 1519568)

His NAME is Jesus!

(1) "most thoroughly oneness" as opposed to trinitarianism and arianism;
(2) please explain the term "already incarnate";
(3) is your explanation "Bible doctrine, or is the "resurrection and ascension"?

Thank you.

Brother Villa

Christ is a term relating to the incarnation. Christ Jesus refers to the Man from Galilee. Humans don't incarnate, they are by definition "incarnate". Incarnation means enfleshment. A human is not pre existing as a non flesh person who then becomes flesh. When Christ was conceived and born it was not a man who was enfleshed but the Logos that was enfleshed. To be enfleshed means to become human. Humans don't become human, they already are. Rather, the Word which was God became flesh (human).

Philippians 2 is not talking about a non human person becoming human, but about a man (Christ Jesus) refusing to grasp at god-like status and choosing instead to humble Himself even to death, and then being exalted to a position above all. The man is now recognized as Jehovah Himself to Whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.

Bible doctrine is that the man has been elevated to the highest position by virtue of His resurrection and ascension.

If we understand Philippians 2 to be speaking of Christ laying aside glory in order to BECOME HUMAN we have problems. How does Christ exist in THE FORM OF GOD in a preincarnate state? How is that not two divine persons existing prior to Bethlehem?

If Paul is speaking of a preincarnate being becoming human, then verse 5 should say let this mind be in you which was also in GOD, etc.

thephnxman

02-08-2018 03:55 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

His NAME is Jesus!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519572)

Christ is a term relating to the incarnation. Christ Jesus refers to the Man from Galilee. Humans don't incarnate,
they are by definition "incarnate". Incarnation means enfleshment. (1)A human is not pre existing as a non flesh
person who then becomes flesh. When Christ was conceived and born it was not a man who was enfleshed but
the Logos that was enfleshed. To be enfleshed means 2to become human. Humans don't become human, they
already are. Rather, the Word which was God 3-?became flesh (human).
Philippians 2 is not talking about a non human person becoming human, but about 4-??a man (Christ Jesus) refusing to
grasp at god-like status and choosing instead to humble Himself even to death, and then being exalted to a
position above all. The man is now recognized as Jehovah Himself to Whom 5every knee will bow and every tongue
will confess.
Bible doctrine is that the man has been elevated to the highest position by virtue of His resurrection and ascension.
If we understand Philippians 2 to be speaking of 6Christ laying aside glory in order to BECOME HUMAN we have problems.
How does Christ exist in THE FORM OF GOD in a preincarnate state? How is that not two divine persons existing
prior to Bethlehem?
If Paul is speaking of a preincarnate being becoming human, then verse 5 should say let this mind be in you which
was also in GOD, etc.

(1)Correct: man did not pre-exist prior to his creation, but was FORMED
“…from the dust of the ground…”
(2)you seem to be saying that the Spirit was transformed (somehow)
into flesh: I submit that the Spirit (God’s spoken word) was dressed upon
(robed) in flesh;
(3-?)This is closer to what I have always submitted;
(4-??)Now this: “…a body hast thou prepared me…”: a habitation for the
SPOKEN word of God.
(5)Will everyone bow before the man, Christ Jesus, or at the NAME of Jesus?
(6)there was no “Christ” in Eternity: but “…the man Christ Jesus…” was
anointed to be the body prepared for the Word!
(7)No mention of a "pre-existing Christ" in my posts.

Brother Villa

Pressing-On

02-09-2018 07:38 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias (Post 1519517)

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Good post! :thumbsup

Now we need a separate thread for each of the subjects in bold. :thumbsup

Evang.Benincasa

02-09-2018 07:49 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On (Post 1519624)

Good post! :thumbsup

Now we need a separate thread for each of the subjects in bold. :thumbsup

Do it sis. :thumbsup

jfrog

02-11-2018 02:02 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On (Post 1519444)

I have been studying this passage in Philippians 2:6, noticing the translations are kind of all over the place.

Some say - "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;" NIV

"Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." NLT

KJV says it this way - "King James Bible
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery (the act of seizing) to be equal with God:"

Some Commentators say:

Yet, I find that Gill seems to have it more correct, in my estimation:

The scriptures, IMO, do not ever seem to imply that Jesus was trying to separate Himself from the Glory of the Father, i.e., "thought it not a prize to be grasped at to be equal with God," as Ellicott's Commentary states.

Philippians 2:7 begins with "but", which indicates that verse 6 and 7 are opposed to each other. I do not believe the "but" goes as far in opposition as some Commentators state.

Jesus tells us that "greater things than these will you do..."

I believe that Philippians is simply saying that while we acknowledge the power and authority we have with God through the Spirit, our main desire should always be love and compassion which only belongs to a servant.

As way of example, the gifts of the Spirit are something to be desired. However, if we desire them to bolster or set our ministry apart we are on the road to shipwreck. As I heard a pastor state, "the crazy side of Waco" or something to that effect.

But, if we pray and seek the Gifts because we have love and compassion toward those who need God to come in and lift them up in the most miraculous way to set their lives in order, that is what the heart of a true servant looks like to me.

Just my thoughts today - Seek charity...

I would paraphrase the verse this way:

"Jesus was in the form of God, even equal to God and yet he thought it did not take away anything from God (robbery of God) for him to make himself of no reputation, and take upon him the form of a servant, and to be made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (paraphrased)

The robbery of God is about that which is "like God" acting as servant instead of as a King. Basically it's saying don't think that just because you are holy, spiritual, just, holy etc, that it's some kind of offense to God if you are treated no better than a servant obedient unto death. In fact it's going a step further and saying you should act like such a servant and look after your brothers things instead of just after your own things.

That's my opinion anyways.

CC1	02-12-2018 08:50 PM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Good thought provoking thread Pressing Iron!

Praxeas

02-14-2018 02:05 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Theo lacks the article and is considered qualitative, therefore it refers to what God is not who

Praxeas

02-14-2018 02:08 AM

Re: Being in the form of God, thought it not robbe

Who has always been and at present continues to subsist in that mode of being in which He gives outward expression of His essential nature, that of Deity, and who did not after weighing the facts, consider it a treasure to be clutched and retained at all hazards, to be equal with Deity (in the expression of the divine essence)

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