Jesus Refusing Divinity: That Which Was Not His By Right Refused

“Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (Philippians 2:6-11)

Philippians 2:6-11 in the Authorized Version is yet another text thought by many leaders in the churches to be strong proof of the pre-existence of Jesus the Christ and His co-equal relationship with the Father. The putting of the Scriptures into verses has been of undoubted benefit to those desiring to study the Sacred Volume. Unfortunately, however, the context is seldom consulted, and the utterance of a text, with many, is considered the shortest, the simplest, and the surest method of winning an argument; and a text taken by itself can generally be found to give at least seeming support to whatever the topic desired to be upheld. As for verifying the translation or examining the impact of the surrounding matter with a view to the better understanding of the text in question, the effort is too great to attempt; and, were they to do so, a lurking fear would be felt that some long-cherished theory might possibly be made void.

With sincere and sure confidence in the correctness of our assertion, we put forward the statement that there is nothing in the whole passage indicated above that has reference to a pre-existent personality of Jesus the Christ. The theme of Paul’s discourse in Philippians 2 was humility, and his message was to living men. When urging them to “each esteem other better than themselves,” Paul put before them an Example known to them all—the man Christ Jesus. No other person as fulfilling that requirement was even mentioned. He then added, “Who [like yourselves] being in the form of God [Gen. 1:27], thought it not a thing to be grasped at to be equal with God.” (Cp. Genesis 3:5, R.V.) Any thoughtful person will readily see that the translation of the Authorized Version naturally results in the more correct translation just given. Dr. Paley renders it, “Did not affect to be equal with God.” Dr. Adam Clarke’s rendering is, “Who did not think it a matter to be earnestly desired to be equal with God.” The Revised Version reads, “Counted it not a prize to be equal with God”; the Revised Version margin, “Counted it not a thing to be grasped at.” The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament translates, “Did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped at.”

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Author: R. H. Judd

Keywords: Trinity, Trinitarian, Jesus was God, Jesus is God, God the Son, Incarnation, God incarnate, God in the flesh, Form of God, Eternal son, Triune, Deity of Christ, Deity of Jesus, Christ is God

Bible reference(s): Phil 2:6-11

Source: One God: God of the Ages (Oregon, IL: Restitution Herald, 1949)

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