Philippians 2:6 (KJV)

What does Philippians 2:6 mean?

Philippians 2:6 says that Jesus, even though he existed in the very form of God, did not consider it something to be seized or held onto to be equal with God. Instead, he did not cling to his divine status or privileges.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Philippi, encouraging them to have the same humble mindset as Jesus. In this verse, Paul points out that Jesus truly shared God’s nature but chose not to use that equality for his own advantage. This sets up the example of humility and self-giving that Paul wants his readers to follow.

The Greek behind Philippians 2:6

• μορφῇ (morphē; "form"): This word means the true and essential nature or outward appearance. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus really possessed the nature of God, not just an appearance.
• ἴσα (isa; "equal"): This word means "equal" or "on the same level." The verse highlights that Jesus had equality with God but did not insist on keeping it for himself.
• ἁρπαγμὸν (harpagmon; "robbery"): This word is often understood as "something to be grasped" or "held onto." It suggests that Jesus did not see his equality with God as something to exploit or cling to for his own benefit.

Why Philippians 2:6 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jesus’ divinity was real and not just a claim or appearance, which is important for understanding who Jesus is in Christian belief.
• The verse sets the stage for the following verses, where Paul describes Jesus’ humility and willingness to give up his privileges for others.
• It helps prevent misunderstandings that Jesus was trying to become equal with God or take something that wasn’t his; instead, he already had that status but chose humility.