Philippians 2:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Christ, who shared the very nature of God, did not cling to His glory but was willing to lay it down.
The Context of Philippians 2:6
This is the opening of the great hymn about Christ (verses 6 to 11), held up by Paul as the supreme picture of humility. It looks back before the manger, to who Christ was with God from the beginning.
What Does Philippians 2:6 Mean?
Paul reaches back before Bethlehem to describe who Christ already was. He was 'in the form of God,' sharing God's own nature and glory, fully equal with Him. And yet, the verse says, He did not treat that equality as something to seize and hold onto for His own advantage. The next verses tell what He did instead: He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant. Here we simply see the heart behind it, a glory He possessed by right and was willing to set aside out of love.
This is the deepest root of Christian humility. The lowliness Paul asks of us is the lowliness Christ first showed, and He showed it from the height of being equal with God. The One who had everything did not grasp at it. For anyone tempted to clutch at status or rights, this verse reveals a Savior who held His glory with open hands, and stepped down to reach us.
Philippians 2:6 in the Original Language
morphe (μορφή), 'form' -- the outward expression of an inward, essential nature; not a mere shape but the true substance.
How to Apply Philippians 2:6 Today
This verse sets the highest possible example before us: Christ, equal with God, who did not grasp at His own glory. When we are tempted to hold tightly to our place or our rights, He shows us another way. The One who had everything chose to let it go for our sake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philippians 2:6
What does Philippians 2:6 mean?
Christ, who shared the very nature of God, did not cling to His glory but was willing to lay it down.
What is the context of Philippians 2:6?
This is the opening of the great hymn about Christ (verses 6 to 11), held up by Paul as the supreme picture of humility. It looks back before the manger, to who Christ was with God from the beginning.
How can I apply Philippians 2:6 today?
This verse sets the highest possible example before us: Christ, equal with God, who did not grasp at His own glory. When we are tempted to hold tightly to our place or our rights, He shows us another way. The One who had everything chose to let it go for our sake.