Philippians 2:5-8 is often referred to by theologians as the *Carmen Christi* (the Hymn of Christ). It is the "Mount Everest" of New Testament Christology, detailing the journey of Jesus from the heights of divinity to the depths of human execution.
Below is a word study focusing on the pivotal Greek terms used in the NKJV translation.
## **Key Vocabulary Overview**
| NKJV Term | Greek Word | Core Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| **Mind** | *phroneō* | Attitude, mindset, or way of thinking. |
| **Form** (v. 6) | *morphē* | The essential nature or inner essence. |
| **Robbery** | *harpagmos* | Something to be seized or clutched. |
| **No Reputation** | *kenoō* | To empty, pour out, or make void. |
| **Bondservant** | *doulos* | A slave; one submissive to another's will. |
| **Humbled** | *tapeinoō* | To level down; to bring low. |
## **Deep Dive Analysis**
### **1. "Let this mind be in you..." (*phroneō*)**
Paul isn't just asking for a change in thought, but a change in **disposition**. *Phroneō* involves the will and the affections. It’s a command to adopt the same "operating system" that Jesus used: a radical orientation toward others rather than self.
### **2. "Being in the form of God..." (*morphē*)**
This is a high-stakes word. In Greek, *morphē* refers to the permanent, essential nature of a thing. It’s not just a mask or an appearance.
* **The Point:** Jesus didn't just "look" like God; He possessed the very essence of deity from the start.
### **3. "Did not consider it robbery..." (*harpagmos*)**
This word is notoriously difficult to translate. It carries the idea of a "prize" or something "to be grasped."
* **The Nuance:** While Adam tried to "seize" equality with God (Gen 3), Jesus—who already possessed it—did not feel the need to "clutch" His divine privileges for His own advantage. He held His status with an open hand.
### **4. "Made Himself of no reputation..." (*kenoō*)**
This is where we get the theological term **Kenosis** (the emptying).
* **What it isn't:** Jesus did not stop being God.
* **What it is:** He "emptied" Himself by adding humanity to His divinity. He laid aside His right to the independent exercise of divine attributes and the manifest glory He had in heaven to live as a dependent human.
### **5. "Taking the form of a bondservant..." (*doulos*)**
Notice the repetition of the word **form** (*morphē*). Just as He was *morphē* (essential nature) of God, He became the *morphē* (essential nature) of a slave. He didn't just "act" like a servant; He became one to the core.
### **6. "He humbled Himself..." (*tapeinoō*)**
In the Roman world, "humility" was not a virtue; it was a sign of weakness or low social standing. Paul flips the script. Jesus’ humility was a **voluntary choice**. He descended a "ladder" of humiliation:
1. From God to Man.
2. From Man to Slave.
3. From Slave to Condemned Criminal (the cross).
## **The Divine Paradox**
The beauty of this passage lies in the contrast. The one who is **Equal with God** (the highest possible status) becomes **Obedient to death** (the lowest possible state).
> **Important Note:** The "death of the cross" was specifically mentioned because it was the most shameful, cursed form of execution in the ancient world. By highlighting this, Paul shows that there is no depth Jesus was unwilling to reach to achieve our reconciliation.