Philippians 2:6

[Xeno.of.athens]

Some say that the verse means that Jesus didn't keep a firm grasp on being equal with God, others say that Jesus didn't think of equality with God as something to steal, and others say that Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal. What do you think?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Philippians 2:6 KJV)

 

[jacks]

With those choices I would go with the last. "Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal." While he was in heaven he was i.e. equal to God. However, once he was in the form of a man, He humbled himself and no longer held Himself up as an equal.

Verses Philippians 2:7-8
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

[Clare73]

Some say that the verse means that Jesus didn't keep a firm grasp on being equal with God, others say that Jesus didn't think of equality with God as something to steal, and others say that Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal. What do you think?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Philippians 2:6 KJV)

Jesus did not think it was something to be clung to, did not think the glory he had with the Father before his incarnation was something he could not give up.

 

[RandyPNW]

Some say that the verse means that Jesus didn't keep a firm grasp on being equal with God, others say that Jesus didn't think of equality with God as something to steal, and others say that Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal. What do you think?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Philippians 2:6 KJV)

Quite simply, Jesus was comfortable in his role as Divine Son. He did not have to compete to become Divine. He did not have to become eligible or to qualify for this role--he was in fact God's Divine Son.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

With those choices I would go with the last. "Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal." While he was in heaven he was i.e. equal to God. However, once he was in the form of a man, He humbled himself and no longer held Himself up as an equal.

Verses Philippians 2:7-8
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The verb 'seize/grab/plunder' for Jesus' equality with God is 'harpagmon' (Greek, strong nr G725) and in all instances of this word's related usage (in terms of the related verb) in the NT relates to force/action. E.g. something that is done by action intentionally.

This verse in Philippians 2:6 highlights Jesus' humility and emphasises Jesus did not consider to 'grab/seize' equality with God (although being in/having the form/appearance (Greek 'morphe', strong nr G3444) of God), but chose to humble himself and take on the form/appearance (Greek 'morphe') of a slave (Greek 'doulos', strong nr G1401).

So the contrast Paul is using highlights Jesus' transition from 'appearance/morphe of God' to 'appearance/morphe of a slave'; and the contrast of instead of 'taking/seizing' equality with God, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death.

In all these verses the term 'God' (Greek Theo(s)) always refers to the God the Father. Given the logic of Paul's argument and the semantic analysis of 'harpagmon' this verse does not state Jesus was equal to God (although being in the form/appearance of God), it says he didn't try to climb rank, but was obedient to his Father unto death.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

The verb 'seize/grab/plunder' for Jesus' equality with God is 'harpagmon' (Greek, strong nr G725) and in all instances of this word's usage in the NT relates to force/action. E.g. something that is done by action intentionally.

I believe that Philippians 2:6 is the one and only use of the word, "ἁρπαγμὸν", in the New Testament. The word rendered “robbery” - ἁρπαγμος harpagmos - is found nowhere else in the New Testament, though the verb from which it is derived frequently occurs.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

I believe that Philippians 2:6 is the one and only use of the word, "ἁρπαγμὸν", in the New Testament. The word rendered “robbery” - ἁρπαγμος harpagmos - is found nowhere else in the New Testament, though the verb from which it is derived frequently occurs.

You are completely correct - but it's the connection to the verb that counts also (I'll edit/update my statement).

 

[com7fy8]

Some say that the verse means that Jesus didn't keep a firm grasp on being equal with God,

He didn't have to keep a grasp on what is an unchangeable reality. Jesus always has been God's own Son, equal in character. Change of position of location does not change character. God can not change. Jesus, like our Father, can not change in His character which is God's character.

others say that Jesus didn't think of equality with God as something to steal,

He could not steal what already is His character of God.

and others say that Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal.

Certainly, Jesus would not think He "must" . . . has to . . . steal something! He is God's own Son, not needing to steal anything which is good and right. Plus, it is impossible to steal what is God and what God is keeping.

So, I would say none of these above interpretations is correct.

What do you think?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Philippians 2:6 KJV)

He was equal to God, and He did not think it was robbery for Him to be so. In other words, Jesus did not steal His equality with God. But Satan tried to take over Heaven in order to be "God"; but Jesus always has been equal to God so there was no stealing that could be involved in Jesus being equal to God.

It was not robbery, and therefore it was right for Jesus to be equal with God. And yet, even though He did not hold an uprising in order to be equal with God . . . still He voluntarily left Heaven in order to come to us and reach us and save us.

But Satan did not come here voluntarily. Satan got thrown out.

So - - - this > I would say > is the interpretation that might be more helpful > how Jesus was worthy to be in Heaven and worshiped, but Jesus so superior and right was willing to leave Heaven in order to come here to people like us . . . to any and all evil and selfish people. And so - - - like Jesus . . . even if we are right with God, now . . . we, too, need to obey the example of Jesus by reaching to any and all nasty and awful people of this world . . . with hope like Jesus came with hope, for any person, at all >

love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

 

[BobRyan]

Some say that the verse means that Jesus didn't keep a firm grasp on being equal with God, others say that Jesus didn't think of equality with God as something to steal, and others say that Jesus didn't think of his equality with God as something he must steal. What do you think?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(Philippians 2:6 KJV)

Jesus knew that as God the Son his claim of being equal to God - was not hijacking something that did not belong to Him.
He also chose not to cling to that highly exalted status - but rather chose to risk-all to save mankind.

Jesus did not view His high exalted equal-with-the-Father position of honor, worshiped by all created intelligent sentient beings - as something to cling to. He was willing to let it all go and risking everything - to come to this world and die for man -- born in the form of fallen sinful man (though Jesus did not have a sinful nature) - he suffered the lot of man.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name