S
{To be on an
equality with God} (\to einai isa theoi\). Accusative articular
infinitive object of \hˆgˆsato\, "the being equal with God"
(associative instrumental case \the“i\ after \isa\). \Isa\ is
adverbial use of neuter plural with \einai\ as in Re 21:16.
{Emptied himself} (\heauton eken“se\). First aorist active
indicative of \keno“\, old verb from \kenos\, empty. Of what did
Christ empty himself? Not of his divine nature. That was
impossible. He continued to be the Son of God. There has arisen a
great controversy on this word, a \Kenosis\ doctrine. Undoubtedly
Christ gave up his environment of glory. He took upon himself
limitations of place (space) and of knowledge and of power,
though still on earth retaining more of these than any mere man.
It is here that men should show restraint and modesty, though it
is hard to believe that Jesus limited himself by error of
knowledge and certainly not by error of conduct. He was without
sin, though tempted as we are. "He stripped himself of the
insignia of majesty" (Lightfoot).
