Philippians 2:6

Philippians 2:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
• New International Version (NIV)Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
• English Standard Version (ESV)who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
• New King James Version (NKJV)who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Context of Philippians 2:6

4Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross.

Philippians 2:6 word by word

ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whoὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• beingὑπάρχωhuparchō · be alreadyG5225
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the formμορφήmorphē · formG3444
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• thought itἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
• notοὐou · noG3756
• robberyἁρπαγμόςharpagmos · something to graspG725
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• to beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• equalἴσοςisos · equalG2470

Cross-references for Philippians 2:6

• Isaiah 7:14Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
• Isaiah 8:8It will pour into Judah, flood over it, and sweep through, reaching up to the neck; and its flooded banks will fill your entire land, Immanuel!
• Isaiah 9:6For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
• Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.
• Micah 5:2Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.
• Matthew 1:23See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
• John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• John 17:5Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.
• Romans 9:5The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 4:4In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• Colossians 1:15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
• 1 Timothy 1:17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Timothy 3:16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
• Hebrews 1:3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
• Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• Genesis 32:24Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

Commentaries on Philippians 2:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Who, being in the form of God - This verse has been the subject of much criticism, and some controversy. Dr. Whitby has, perhaps, on the whole, spoken best on this point; but his arguments are too diffuse to be admitted here. Dr. Macknight has abridged the words of Dr. Whitby, and properly observes that, "As the apostle is speaking of what Christ was before he took the form of a servant, the form of God, of which he divested himself when he became man…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6Who, being in the form of God - There is scarcely any passage in the New Testament which has given rise to more discussion than this. The importance of the passage on the question of the divinity of the Saviour will be perceived at once, and no small part of the point of the appeal by the apostle depends, as will be seen, in the fact that Paul regarded the Redeemer as equal with God. If he was truly divine, then his consenting to become a man was the most…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-11Verses 5-11 The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, Joh 1:1, had not thought it a robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men. His human nature; herein he became like…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6existing in the form of God: Jesus has the same nature as God and has existed with him from the beginning (see John 1:1–3; 17:5; Colossians 1:15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. Translate, "Who subsisting (or existing, namely, originally: the Greek is not the simple substantive verb, 'to be') in the form of God (the divine essence is not meant: but the external self-manifesting characteristics of God, the form shining forth from His glorious essence). The divine nature had infinite BEAUTY in itself, even without any creature contemplating that beauty: that beauty was 'the form of God'; as 'the form of a servant' (Php 2:7)…Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 2:6

• Commandments
• Example
• Humility
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Apostle
• Companion
• Covenant
• Disputing
• Humility
• Kingly office of Christ
• Lowliness
• Nigh

Commentaries on Philippians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings