Greek · The Great Words

Kenosis: Christ Emptied Himself

Kenosis means an emptying. It comes from Philippians 2, where Christ ‘emptied himself’, taking the form of a servant: the self-giving descent of God for our sake.

The original word

How the Bible uses it

What it means

The verb kenoo means to empty or pour out. In Philippians 2, an early Christian hymn Paul quotes, it is used of Christ: he ‘emptied himself’ (the King James renders it ‘made himself of no reputation’). Christians have long asked exactly what was set aside; the text itself points not to Christ ceasing to be God but to his taking on the form of a servant, adding our lowliness rather than subtracting his deity.

Here especially it is wise not to lean the whole weight of a doctrine on one word. The passage is careful and much discussed. What is clear on the surface is the direction: downward, from glory to a manger, from equality with God to a cross.

And Christ

Paul quotes the hymn not to satisfy curiosity but to shape us: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5). The self-emptying of God is the pattern for how his people are to live, choosing the low place, the servant’s towel, the good of others. The One who was highest went lowest, and calls us to follow.

Frequently asked questions

What does kenosis mean?

Kenosis is a Greek term for 'emptying', from the verb kenoo (Strong's G2758). It comes from Philippians 2:7, where Christ 'emptied himself' (KJV: 'made himself of no reputation'), taking the form of a servant.

Did Jesus stop being God in the kenosis?

The passage does not say so, and this is much debated among Christians. Philippians 2 points not to Christ ceasing to be God but to his taking on the form of a servant, adding human lowliness rather than subtracting his deity. It is wise not to build a whole doctrine on one word.

Why does Philippians 2 describe kenosis?

Paul quotes this early hymn to teach humility: 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 2:5). Christ's self-emptying is the pattern for how his people are to live, choosing the servant's place.