Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Being (uparxwn). Rather, "existing," present active participle of uparxw. In the form of God (en morfh qeou). Morfh means the essential attributes as shown in the form. In his preincarnate state Christ possessed the attributes of God and so appeared to those in heaven who saw him. Here is a clear statement by Paul of the deity of Christ.
A prize (arpagmon). Predicate accusative with hghsato. Originally words in -mov signified the act, not the result (-ma). The few examples of arpagmov (Plutarch, etc.) allow it to be understood as equivalent to arpagma, like baptismov and baptisma. That is to say Paul means a prize to be held on to rather than something to be won ("robbery").
To be on an equality with God (to einai isa qeoi). Accusative articular infinitive object of hghsato, "the being equal with God" (associative instrumental case qew after isa). Isa is adverbial use of neuter plural with einai as in Revelation 21:16.
Emptied himself (eauton ekenwse). First aorist active indicative of kenow, old verb from kenov, 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 Kenosiv 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).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Philippians 2:6:
Matthew 1:18
Matthew 17:2
John 1:1
John 5:18
John 17:5
Acts 20:28
Romans 1:4
Romans 8:29
Galatians 4:4
Galatians 4:4
Philippians 2:7
Colossians 1:15
Colossians 1:17
Colossians 2:9
2 Timothy 2:8
Hebrews 1:3
Hebrews 1:3
Hebrews 2:10
James 2:1
1 Peter 1:14
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