Philippians 2:7 stands at the center of the famous “Christ Hymn” (Philippians 2:6–11), portraying Jesus’ voluntary humility. The verse — ἀλλ’ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος — contains two aorist participles that unpack the main verb ἐκένωσε (“emptied himself”). The grammar intensifies the mystery: the eternal Son of God empties himself not by subtraction, but by taking — taking the form of a servant, becoming like us.
The Greek Text in Focus
ἀλλ’ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος (Philippians 2:7)
“But he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.”
Grammatical Highlights
- ἀλλ’ — adversative conjunction; “but,” marking contrast with the previous verse.
- ἑαυτὸν — accusative reflexive pronoun; “himself,” direct object of ἐκένωσε.
- ἐκένωσε — aorist indicative active, 3rd singular; “he emptied.”
- μορφὴν δούλου — accusative noun + genitive noun; “form of a servant.”
- λαβών — aorist participle active, nominative masculine singular; “having taken.”
- ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων — preposition + dative noun + genitive plural; “in the likeness of men.”
- γενόμενος — aorist participle middle (deponent), nominative masculine singular; “having become / being made.”
Main Verb: ἐκένωσε
The verb ἐκένωσε (from κενόω) means “to empty, make void.” It is the central theological action in this verse. The direct object ἑαυτὸν (“himself”) stresses that the self-emptying is voluntary. This aorist indicative presents the action as a decisive past act — a single, definitive self-humbling moment in the incarnation.
Aorist Participles: λαβών… γενόμενος
The two participles — λαβών (“having taken”) and γενόμενος (“having become”) — explain how the self-emptying took place. These are modal participles, showing means: Christ emptied himself by taking the form of a servant and by being made in human likeness. The paradox is profound: he empties by taking, and descends by assuming.
μορφὴν δούλου and ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων
μορφὴν (“form”) parallels μορφῇ θεοῦ in verse 6. Now it is the “form of a servant” — an intentional descent from divine status to servanthood. ἐν ὁμοιώματι (“in the likeness”) expresses external appearance or condition. ἀνθρώπων (“of men”) is plural and generic: he became like us all. The preposition ἐν suggests real participation, not mere appearance.
| Phrase | Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσε | Reflexive Pronoun + Aorist Indicative | Main verb | He emptied himself |
| μορφὴν δούλου | Accusative + Genitive | Object of participle | The form of a servant |
| λαβών | Aorist Participle Active | Means / manner | By taking |
| ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων | Preposition + Dative + Genitive | Locative phrase | In the likeness of men |
| γενόμενος | Aorist Participle Middle | Means / manner | By becoming / being made |
The Grammar of Descent and Glory
Philippians 2:7 is a masterclass in theological grammar. The participles deepen the main verb, not dilute it. The self-emptying of Christ is not subtraction of deity, but addition of humanity. Grammar shows the paradox: he empties by taking, humbles by becoming. Syntax here does more than describe — it worships.
