Philippians 2:7 describes how Jesus, though fully God, chose to set aside the visible glory and privileges that were rightfully his and take on the humble condition of a servant as a human being. Paul writes this to the church at Philippi as a pattern for their own attitudes toward one another. The verse is part of a longer passage in which Paul urges believers to put others first, using Christ himself as the example to follow.
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7 (WEB)
What Philippians 2:7 Means
The verse opens with the word “emptied,” which in the original Greek is a vivid image. It does not mean Jesus stopped being God or lost any of his divine nature. Instead, it describes a voluntary laying down of the outward expression of his glory and status. Paul is talking about what Christ gave up in order to draw near to people, not about what he ceased to be.
The phrase “taking the form of a servant” points to the posture Christ adopted. In the ancient world, a servant had no standing and was expected to meet the needs of others. Jesus did not merely appear to be humble; he took up a real and lowly role. The final phrase, “being made in the likeness of men,” stresses that he became truly human, sharing in ordinary human life. The verse promises that Jesus identified with us completely, but it does not explain every detail of how the incarnation worked, and it leaves the deeper mystery to be received in faith.
The Context of Philippians 2:7
Philippians is a letter traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul, written to a congregation in Philippi, a city in Macedonia that had a close and affectionate relationship with him. The church faced internal pressures, including tension between believers and a need for unity. Paul’s concern throughout the letter is that the community should live in harmony and joy, which is why he turns repeatedly to the example of Christ.
The verses just before this one, in Philippians 2:4 to 6, instruct readers to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others, and to adopt the same mindset that Christ had. The verses that follow describe God’s exaltation of Jesus and the name given to him above every name. Read in this setting, verse 7 is the hinge of the passage: humility in the lowest depths is the path through which God raised Christ to the highest honor, and that same pattern is what Paul holds up for the believers to imitate.
Key Phrases in Philippians 2:7
Mark 10:45
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(WEB)
This verse records Jesus explaining that he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom. It parallels the self-giving described in Philippians 2:7 and shows the same servant heart expressed in his own words about his mission.
John 13:14-15
14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
(WEB)
In these verses Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and tells them to do likewise. The act of a teacher kneeling to serve others reflects the servant posture Paul describes, making the humility of Christ concrete and practical for everyday relationships.
A Short Prayer From Philippians 2:7
Lord Jesus, you did not hold onto your glory but chose to come down and take on the form of a servant for my sake. Teach me to set aside my pride and my need to be seen, so that I can look to the needs of others with the same heart you showed. When I am tempted to protect my own interests, remind me of your willingness to give and to serve. Help me to walk in humility today, trusting that you honor those who follow your way. Amen.
