Question: In Philippians 2:6 we read concerning Christ: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God”. These words are always confusing to me. How should they be understood?
Answer: Before we can really begin to understand this verse, (especially as it appears in the King James Version), it may be well to consider what there is about the verse that troubles us. Is it because of the implication that Jesus and God are co-equal? We know that any conclusion along these lines would not be sound. It would be in contradiction with other scripture, such as: “my Father is greater than I” (John 14:28).
When we look at other translations of Phillipians 2:6, the NRSV reads: “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited”. Perhaps the best alternate translation is the Diaglott which reads: “who, though being in God’s Form, yet did not meditate a Usurpation to be like God”. Unfortunately, none of these translations are very clear.
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Author: The Advocate
Keywords: Jesus is God, Jesus in the form of God, In the form of God, Thought not robbery, Equal with God, Equality with God, Trinity, God the Son
Bible reference(s): Philippians 2:2-5
Source: “Question Box,” The Christ. Advocate, (Richmond).
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