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;
• New King James Version (NKJV)who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
• New Living Translation (NLT)Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Context of Philippians 2:6

4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even 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. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
• Isaiah 8:8and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel."
• Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness.'
• Micah 5:2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
• Matthew 1:23"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
• John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• John 17:5And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
• Romans 9:5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 4:4In their case the god of this world 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 of all creation.
• 1 Timothy 1:17To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 1 Timothy 3:16Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
• Hebrews 1:3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 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 and today and forever.
• Genesis 32:24And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

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