What Does It Mean That Jesus ‘Emptied Himself’? Understanding the Kenosis of Christ
The mystery of Jesus’ incarnation—God becoming fully human while remaining fully divine—is central to the Christian faith. One of the most intriguing aspects of this mystery is what theologians call the kenosis of Christ, or His “emptying Himself.” This concept comes from Philippians 2:7, where Paul writes that Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” But what does it mean that Jesus “emptied Himself”? Did He give up His divinity? Or does this “emptying” mean something else entirely?
The doctrine of kenosis is an essential part of understanding who Jesus is and how He came to live among us. When we look at kenosis through the lens of Scripture and traditional Christian teaching, we see that Jesus did not give up His divine nature or attributes. Instead, He chose to live within human limitations, setting aside His divine privileges to fully experience life as a human. Let’s explore what it means for Jesus to have “emptied Himself” and how this kenosis reflects both His love and His humility.
What Is the Kenosis of Christ?
The term kenosis comes from the Greek word kenóō, meaning “to empty.” In Philippians 2:7, Paul describes how Jesus, who was fully God, “emptied Himself” by becoming human. This passage has led some to wonder if Jesus gave up certain aspects of His divinity or ceased to be fully God during His earthly life. However, the traditional understanding of kenosis does not suggest that Jesus gave up His divine attributes. Instead, it means that Jesus willingly refrained from using some of His divine privileges independently, choosing instead to live within the boundaries of human experience.
Jesus Did Not Cease to Be God
The doctrine of the kenosis aligns with the orthodox Christian belief that Jesus remained fully God, even as He became fully human. Colossians 2:9 emphasizes this by stating, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”This means that Jesus’ divine nature was never compromised. He was, and always will be, fully God. His kenosis did not involve giving up His divinity but rather a voluntary choice to take on the limitations of humanity.
The early church, through councils like Chalcedon (AD 451), confirmed the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, which holds that Jesus is fully God and fully human in one person. The kenosis did not alter His divine essence; instead, it showed His willingness to humble Himself and live a life of dependence, obedience, and humility for our sake.
What Did Jesus’ “Emptying” Involve?
The kenosis of Christ can be understood in two primary aspects:
Submission to the Father’s Will: Throughout His earthly life, Jesus lived in complete submission to the Father, choosing not to exercise His divine powers independently. In John 5:19, He says, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and actions were all done in obedience to the Father’s direction and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In John 12:49-50, Jesus says, “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” His words and actions were aligned with the Father’s will, not because He lacked authority but because He chose to live in perfect obedience.
Embracing Human Limitations: In becoming human, Jesus took on the physical and emotional limitations that are part of the human experience. He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and pain. He felt joy, sorrow, and compassion. By living within these limitations, Jesus identified fully with humanity. As Hebrews 2:17 explains, “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect.” This was not a denial of His divine nature but a full acceptance of the realities of human life.
Jesus’ kenosis was not a loss of power or divinity but a choice to experience humanity’s weakness and dependence on God. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Jesus’ willingness to “become poor” reveals His humility and love, not a reduction of His divine nature.
Why Is the Kenosis Important?
Understanding the kenosis of Christ is crucial to grasping the depth of His love and humility. Jesus, who was fully God, chose to live as a servant, to suffer as we suffer, and to die a human death. He voluntarily set aside His divine privileges so that He could fully identify with us, experience our struggles, and offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. His willingness to “empty Himself” demonstrates a love that is beyond human comprehension—a love willing to enter into every aspect of human experience.
The kenosis also reveals how Jesus fulfilled His role as our Savior. By choosing to live in obedience to the Father, Jesus became the perfect servant, a role prophesied in passages like Isaiah 53. His life of humility, obedience, and service is a model for us, showing us how to live in relationship with God. Philippians 2:8 tells us, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Jesus’ kenosis is an example of how to live with humility and submission to God’s will.
The Eternal Implications of the Kenosis
The kenosis of Christ is not just a moment in history; it has eternal significance. Even in His resurrection, Jesus retains His glorified human body, complete with the scars of His crucifixion. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He invited Thomas to touch His wounds (John 20:27), demonstrating that He continues to identify with humanity. His glorified body is a lasting testament to His sacrificial love and His commitment to remain with us.
By “emptying Himself,” Jesus became forever united with humanity, embracing an eternal bond with those He came to save. His kenosis shows that God’s love is not distant or detached but willing to enter our world and experience life as we do.
Conclusion: The Humility and Love of the Kenosis
The kenosis of Christ is a astounding demonstration of humility, obedience, and love. Jesus did not give up His divine nature; rather, He chose to live in complete submission to the Father, setting aside the independent exercise of His divine privileges and embracing the limitations of human life. Through His kenosis, Jesus revealed a love that fully identifies with our humanity and a willingness to serve, suffer, and sacrifice.
The kenosis invites us to marvel at the depth of Jesus’ humility and His desire to enter into our world. It is a reminder of His love—a love willing to set aside glory for our sake. In Philippians 2:5-7, Paul encourages us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” to live with humility and love, following the example of the One who emptied Himself so that we might be made whole.
Through the kenosis, Jesus shows us what it means to live a life of selfless love. He is fully God, fully human, and forever united with us—a Savior who did not stay distant but came close, who did not hold onto privilege but took the form of a servant, who did not only speak about love but embodied it fully.