Simon Brown.

Join me on this journey. Let's seek the truth together! 💡 Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.” Psalm 84: 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. 12 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 1 John 5:5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
Showing posts with label Philippians 2:6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippians 2:6. Show all posts

Monday, 17 August 2026

Philippians 2:6 – Did Paul Really Say About Jesus, “Though He Was God”?

Philippians 2:6 infographic comparing the NLT phrase “Though he was God” with the Greek expression “in the form of God,” examining morphē, Paul’s descriptions of Jesus, and related Bible passages.

This detailed Bible research infographic examines Philippians 2:6 and the New Living Translation wording “Though he was God.” It compares this with the Greek expression en morphē Theou, “in the form of God,” and examines the Greek word morphē. It also compares Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:9, John 17:3 and 1 Corinthians 8:6 to investigate Paul’s distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ.

QUICK FACTS: PHILIPPIANS 2:6

DID PAUL REALLY SAY ABOUT JESUS: “THOUGH HE WAS GOD”?

Philippians 2:6 is frequently presented as evidence that the apostle Paul explicitly taught that Jesus was God.

The New Living Translation (NLT) reads:

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.”
— Philippians 2:6, NLT

Read those opening words again:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD”

If that is exactly what Paul wrote, it would certainly appear that Paul directly called Jesus God.

But is that actually what the Greek text says?

NO.

Paul did not simply write:

“HE WAS GOD.”

There is an important Greek expression that we need to examine.


WHAT DOES THE GREEK TEXT ACTUALLY SAY?

The beginning of Philippians 2:6 reads:

ὃς ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων

Word by word:

ὃς — who
ἐν — in
μορφῇ — form
Θεοῦ — of God
ὑπάρχων — existing/being

The Berean Literal Bible therefore reads:

“Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped.”
— Philippians 2:6, BLB

Now compare that carefully with the NLT:

NLT:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD”

Greek:

“EXISTING IN THE FORM OF GOD”

These statements are not identical.

The crucial Greek word is:

μορφῇ — MORPHĒ

FORM

Paul included this word.

Therefore, we should not simply remove it and then claim that Paul literally wrote:

“JESUS WAS GOD.”

He didn't.


THE WORD “FORM” MATTERS

Strong's Concordance gives:

μορφή — morphē

Definition: form, shape

It can describe the form or outward expression corresponding to what something is.

Whatever theological interpretation we eventually give to this word, one textual fact remains undeniable:

μορφή IS IN THE GREEK TEXT.

Paul did not merely write:

“Who, being God…”

He wrote:

“Who, existing in the form of God…”

That distinction must be allowed to remain in the verse before we decide what Paul meant.


INTERESTINGLY, THE KJV RETAINS “FORM”

The King James Version reads:

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”

The ESV similarly reads:

“who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”

And the BLB reads:

“Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped.”

All three preserve Paul's important expression:

“IN THE FORM OF GOD.”

The NLT instead interprets that expression as:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD.”

That is why readers should understand that the NLT is giving an interpretive rendering, rather than reproducing the Greek expression word for word.


SO WHAT DID PAUL MEAN BY “THE FORM OF GOD”?

This is where we should do something very important:

COMPARE PAUL WITH PAUL.

How does Paul describe Jesus elsewhere?

Look at Colossians 1:15:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
— Colossians 1:15, BLB

Notice:

THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD

Paul does not merely describe Jesus independently.

He describes Jesus in relation to God.

Jesus is:

THE IMAGE OF GOD.

Paul says something similar in 2 Corinthians:

“…Christ, who is the image of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:4, BLB

Again:

THE IMAGE OF GOD.

This gives us an important Pauline pattern.


“FORM OF GOD” AND “IMAGE OF GOD”

Put Paul's statements together:

Philippians 2:6

“IN THE FORM OF GOD”

Colossians 1:15

“THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD”

2 Corinthians 4:4

“THE IMAGE OF GOD”

These expressions are not identical Greek phrases, and we should not pretend that they are.

But they clearly give us closely related descriptions of Christ in relation to God.

Paul presents Jesus as uniquely expressing, revealing and representing God.

This is far more precise than simply deleting Paul's word μορφή — “form” and replacing the expression with:

“HE WAS GOD.”


WHAT ABOUT HEBREWS 1:3?

Hebrews gives another closely related description of the Son:

“…who being the radiance of His glory and the exact expression of His substance…”
— Hebrews 1:3, BLB

Notice again the language:

RADIANCE OF HIS GLORY

and:

EXACT EXPRESSION OF HIS SUBSTANCE

The Son perfectly expresses and reveals His God and Father.

This helps us understand why Jesus could say:

“The one having seen Me has seen the Father.”
— John 14:9, BLB

Jesus perfectly represents the Father.

But representation and identity should not simply be assumed to mean the same thing.


NOW LOOK AT COLOSSIANS 2:9

This brings us to another important Pauline passage.

Paul writes:

“For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.”
— Colossians 2:9, BLB

The Greek expression here is different from Philippians 2:6.

Philippians uses:

μορφῇ Θεοῦ

“FORM OF GOD”

Colossians 2:9 speaks about:

πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος

“THE FULLNESS OF DEITY”

Therefore, we should NOT say these two Greek expressions have exactly the same lexical meaning.

They don't.

But they express closely related Pauline ideas concerning Christ and the divine fullness/nature associated with God.

And the surrounding context makes this particularly interesting.


GOD'S FULLNESS DWELLS IN CHRIST

Earlier in Colossians Paul says:

“For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in Him.”
— Colossians 1:19, BLB

Then:

“For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.”
— Colossians 2:9, BLB

One particularly explanatory translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, rendered Colossians 2:9:

“For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ.”

That is useful for understanding the interpretation being expressed.

Notice the wording:

GOD'S NATURE DWELLS BODILY IN CHRIST.

This provides a meaningful comparison with Philippians 2:6:

“IN THE FORM OF GOD”

Again, the Greek expressions are different.

But Paul is describing Christ in extraordinary relationship to the divine nature and fullness of God.


PUT PAUL'S DESCRIPTIONS TOGETHER

Now look at the overall pattern:

PHILIPPIANS 2:6

“in the form of God”

COLOSSIANS 1:15

“the image of the invisible God”

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

“the image of God”

COLOSSIANS 2:9

“all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily” in Him

HEBREWS 1:3

“the radiance of His glory and the exact expression of His substance”

These passages strongly exalt Jesus.

They present Him as God's unique Son, image, representative and the one in whom divine fullness dwells.

But none of this gives translators permission simply to remove:

“IN THE FORM OF”

from Philippians 2:6 and present:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD”

as though those were Paul's literal Greek words.

They are not.


PAUL HIMSELF IDENTIFIES WHO THE “ONE GOD” IS

We now come to one of the most important controls on our interpretation.

Who did Paul explicitly identify as the one God?

Paul tells us:

“Yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and we through Him.”
— 1 Corinthians 8:6, BLB

Look carefully:

ONE GOD — THE FATHER

and:

ONE LORD — JESUS CHRIST

Paul distinguishes between:

THE FATHER

and:

JESUS CHRIST.

And it is the Father whom Paul explicitly identifies here as:

THE ONE GOD.

Therefore, when we encounter Philippians 2:6, we should interpret it in harmony with Paul's explicit statements rather than beginning with an interpretive translation and reading that theology back into Paul.


JESUS HIMSELF IDENTIFIED THE FATHER AS THE ONLY TRUE GOD

Jesus prayed:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
— John 17:3, BLB

Notice the distinction again:

YOU — THE ONLY TRUE GOD

and:

JESUS CHRIST — WHOM YOU SENT

Jesus did not identify Himself as the God to whom He was praying.

He identified His Father as:

“THE ONLY TRUE GOD.”


WHAT ABOUT “EQUALITY WITH GOD”?

Philippians 2:6 continues:

“…did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped.”
— Philippians 2:6, BLB

This statement itself distinguishes Christ from:

GOD.

Jesus is the one being discussed.

God is the one with whom equality is being considered.

And what does Paul say?

Christ did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped.

That fits perfectly with the humility Paul is describing throughout the passage.


JESUS DID NOT EXALT HIMSELF

Continue reading Philippians 2.

Christ humbled Himself.

He became obedient.

He became obedient even unto death.

And then something extremely important happens:

“Therefore God also highly exalted Him…”
— Philippians 2:9, BLB

Who exalted Jesus?

GOD DID.

Therefore we again have:

GOD

and:

JESUS, WHOM GOD EXALTED.

Paul maintains this distinction throughout the passage.


JESUS HIMSELF SAID THE FATHER WAS GREATER

Jesus said:

“…the Father is greater than I.”
— John 14:28, BLB

Jesus also said:

“I am able to do nothing from Myself.”
— John 5:30, BLB

Rather than grasping at equality with God, Jesus continually submitted Himself to His Father and gave glory to Him.

That fits beautifully with Paul's argument in Philippians 2.

Paul's subject is:

CHRIST'S HUMILITY.

Jesus did not exalt Himself.

He humbled Himself.

And therefore:

GOD EXALTED HIM.


DOES “FORM OF GOD” MEAN JESUS HAS GOD'S NATURE?

There is a legitimate theological discussion here.

Some translations render morphē in terms of nature.

For example, the NIV reads:

“Who, being in very nature God…”

The Good News Translation similarly speaks of Christ having the nature of God.

But we should distinguish translation from interpretation.

The actual Greek word remains:

μορφή — MORPHĒ

FORM

If morphē is understood as expressing Christ's divine nature or qualities, that still does not automatically settle the separate question:

IS JESUS THE SAME ONE GOD WHOM PAUL IDENTIFIES AS THE FATHER?

That conclusion has to be demonstrated from Scripture.

It cannot simply be inserted into the translation.


A SON CAN SHARE HIS FATHER'S NATURE WITHOUT BEING HIS FATHER

There is a simple illustration.

A human son shares the same human nature as his father.

He can strongly resemble his father.

He can bear his father's image.

He can display his father's characteristics.

But:

THE SON IS NOT HIS FATHER.

Likewise, Scripture repeatedly calls Jesus:

THE SON OF GOD.

Jesus uniquely reveals His Father.

He is God's image.

He expresses God's character.

Divine fullness dwells in Him.

But those statements should be allowed to mean what they say rather than immediately being rewritten as:

“JESUS IS THE ONE GOD.”

Especially when Paul himself identifies:

THE ONE GOD — THE FATHER.


AN IMPORTANT FACT ABOUT PHILIPPIANS 2:6

We should also distinguish Philippians 2:6 from passages involving genuine textual variants.

The issue here is not primarily that somebody changed the ancient Greek manuscript.

The Greek expression:

ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ

is there.

The question is how translators interpret it.

Therefore, the strongest and most accurate criticism of the NLT is:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD” IS AN INTERPRETIVE TRANSLATION.

It is not a literal reproduction of:

“IN THE FORM OF GOD.”

That is the textual fact readers deserve to know.


QUICK FACTS — WHAT HAVE WE DISCOVERED?

1. PAUL DID NOT LITERALLY WRITE “THOUGH HE WAS GOD.”

The Greek contains:

“IN THE FORM OF GOD.”


2. THE GREEK WORD μορφή — MORPHĒ — MUST NOT BE IGNORED.

It means form and carries the idea of form/expression.


3. PAUL DESCRIBES JESUS AS “THE IMAGE OF GOD.”

Colossians 1:15

2 Corinthians 4:4


4. COLOSSIANS 2:9 EXPRESSES A CLOSELY RELATED IDEA.

“For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.”

This is not the same Greek expression as Philippians 2:6, but both passages describe Christ in extraordinary relationship to God's divine nature/fullness.


5. PAUL IDENTIFIES THE ONE GOD AS THE FATHER.

“Yet to us there is one God, the Father…”
— 1 Corinthians 8:6


6. JESUS DID NOT GRASP AT EQUALITY WITH GOD.

Instead, He humbled Himself.


7. GOD THEN EXALTED JESUS.

“Therefore God also highly exalted Him…”
— Philippians 2:9

The one who exalts and the one who is exalted remain distinguished.


FINAL CONCLUSION

So did Paul actually write about Jesus:

“THOUGH HE WAS GOD”?

NO — NOT IN THOSE WORDS.

Paul wrote:

ὃς ἐν μορφῇ Θεοῦ ὑπάρχων

“WHO, EXISTING IN THE FORM OF GOD…”

The word:

μορφῇ — MORPHĒ — FORM

is part of Paul's statement.

We should not remove it.

And when we compare Paul with Paul, we find a consistent pattern:

Jesus is:

IN THE FORM OF GOD

Jesus is:

THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD

Jesus is:

THE IMAGE OF GOD

Jesus is described as the one in whom:

THE FULLNESS OF DEITY DWELLS BODILY

and God:

HIGHLY EXALTED HIM.

Yet Paul explicitly identifies:

“ONE GOD, THE FATHER.”

Therefore, Philippians 2:6 should not simply be rewritten as:

“JESUS WAS GOD.”

The NLT's “Though he was God” represents an interpretation of Paul's Greek expression rather than Paul's literal wording.

Whatever conclusion anyone ultimately reaches concerning Christ's nature, the starting point should always be the same:

DON'T REMOVE PAUL'S WORDS.

CHECK THE GREEK.

COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE.

AND LET PAUL EXPLAIN PAUL.

“Yet to us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ…”
— 1 Corinthians 8:6, BLB

Research by Simon Brown

wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com

Related articles:


Saturday, 1 August 2026

Philippians 2:6 — Does "The Form of God" Mean Jesus Is Almighty God?

Quick Facts infographic examining Philippians 2:6, the meaning of "the form of God," the Greek word morphē, and whether Paul teaches that Jesus is Almighty God.

This Quick Facts infographic explores one of the most debated passages in Paul's letters—Philippians 2:6. Did Paul teach that Jesus is Almighty God, or was he explaining that Jesus perfectly reveals the image, character, and glory of His Father while remaining the obedient Son of God? Examine the Greek word morphē, the immediate context, and Paul's wider teaching to discover what the Scriptures say. Read the full article at https://wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com/

Philippians 2:6 — Does "The Form of God" Mean Jesus Is Almighty God?

A Biblical Examination of Philippians 2:6

By Simon Brown


Part 1 – Quick Facts

One of the most frequently quoted passages used to support the belief that Jesus is Almighty God is Philippians 2:6.

Paul writes:

"Who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." (Philippians 2:6)

Many Christians read this verse and immediately conclude that Paul was teaching Jesus is God Himself.

But is that really what Paul meant?

Or is Paul teaching something entirely different?

Before reaching a conclusion, let us carefully examine the biblical evidence.


Quick Facts

  • Paul does not say, "Jesus was God."

  • Instead, Paul says Jesus was "in the form of God."

  • The Greek word translated "form" is μορφή (morphē), which refers to outward form, appearance, nature expressed, or visible manifestation. It does not automatically mean that someone is the very same person as another.

  • Throughout his letters, Paul consistently distinguishes between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Paul writes:

"Yet for us there is one God, the Father... and one Lord, Jesus Christ."
(1 Corinthians 8:6)

  • Paul never contradicts this statement anywhere else in his writings.

  • Paul also describes Jesus as:

    • the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15),

    • the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4),

    • the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3),

    • the exact representation of His nature (Hebrews 1:3).

  • An image is not the same person as the one it represents.

  • A representation is not the original person.

  • Jesus perfectly reveals His Father's character, glory, holiness, and authority because He is God's only begotten Son.

  • Paul goes on to explain that Jesus humbled Himself, became obedient to death, and therefore God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:8–9). The One who exalts Jesus is clearly distinguished from Jesus Himself.


The Question We Must Answer

When Paul wrote that Jesus was:

"In the form of God,"

was he teaching that Jesus is Almighty God?

Or was he teaching that Jesus perfectly reflected the image, character, glory, and nature of His Father while remaining the Son whom God sent into the world?

This is the question we shall examine.

Rather than relying upon tradition, we will carefully study:

  • the Greek word μορφή (morphē),

  • the immediate context of Philippians 2,

  • Paul's teaching elsewhere,

  • and the testimony of the whole Bible.

Like the Bereans, we should always examine the Scriptures carefully to see whether these things are so (Acts 17:11).


Part 1 – What Does Paul Actually Say?

Philippians 2:6 is one of the most frequently quoted passages used to support the belief that Jesus is Almighty God.

Paul writes:

"Who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped."
(Philippians 2:6)

Many Christians immediately conclude that Paul is teaching Jesus is Almighty God Himself.

But before reaching that conclusion, we should ask a very simple question.

Is that actually what Paul wrote?

The answer is no.

Notice carefully what Paul did say.

He wrote that Jesus was:

"In the form of God."

Now notice what Paul did not say.

Paul does not write:

  • Jesus was God.

  • Jesus is Almighty God.

  • Jesus is the Father.

  • Jesus shares the same identity as the one God, the Father.

Instead, Paul deliberately chose the words:

"In the form of God."

Those words immediately raise an important question.

Why did Paul choose the expression "the form of God" instead of simply saying "Jesus was God"?

The answer is found by allowing Paul to explain his own words.

One of the safest principles of Bible study is:

Scripture explains Scripture.

Rather than beginning with later theological traditions, we should first examine how Paul describes Jesus throughout his own letters.

Remarkably, Paul repeatedly uses very similar language.

He writes that Jesus is:

  • the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15),

  • the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4),

  • the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3),

  • the exact representation of God's nature (Hebrews 1:3).

Notice the consistent pattern.

Paul does not describe Jesus as the Father.

Instead, he presents Jesus as the perfect image and exact representation of His Father's character, glory, and nature.

Just as an image reflects the one it represents, Jesus perfectly reveals the invisible God to mankind.

A perfect representation is not the same person as the one being represented.

This agrees perfectly with Jesus' own teaching.

Jesus said:

"Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."
(John 14:9)

But He immediately explained why:

"The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works."
(John 14:10)

Jesus was not saying He was the Father.

He was explaining that the Father was living and working through Him.

Paul's description in Philippians 2:6 fits perfectly with this same truth.

The Son perfectly reveals His Father because He is the Father's unique and only begotten Son.

The next question therefore becomes:

What did Paul mean by the Greek word translated "form"?

That single word is the key to understanding Philippians 2:6.


Part 2 – What Does "The Form of God" Mean?

The key to understanding Philippians 2:6 is the expression:

"Who, being in the form of God..."
(Philippians 2:6)

What did Paul mean by "the form of God"?

The Greek word translated "form" is μορφή (morphē).

According to Strong's Concordance, morphē means:

"Form, shape, outward appearance."

It describes the visible expression of what someone is.

Notice again what Paul wrote.

He did not simply say:

"Who, being God..."

Instead, he carefully chose the words:

"Who, being in the form of God..."

Those additional words are significant.

If Paul's intention had been to teach that Jesus is Almighty God Himself, he could simply have written:

"Who, being God..."

But he did not.

Instead, Paul describes Jesus as being in the form of God.

The question therefore becomes:

Why did Paul choose this expression?

The answer becomes clear when we compare Philippians 2:6 with Paul's other writings.

Paul repeatedly describes Jesus using similar language.

He writes:

"He is the image of the invisible God."
(Colossians 1:15)

Again:

"Christ, who is the image of God."
(2 Corinthians 4:4)

And again:

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact representation of His nature."
(Hebrews 1:3)

Notice the remarkable consistency.

Paul speaks of:

  • form,

  • image,

  • radiance,

  • exact representation.

Each expression points to the same truth.

Jesus perfectly reveals His Father.

A person who is the image of another is not the same person as the one being imaged.

Likewise, an exact representation is not the same person as the one being represented.

Instead, it faithfully reveals the character and nature of the original.

This is exactly how Jesus described Himself.

He said:

"Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."
(John 14:9)

But He immediately explained why:

"The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works."
(John 14:10)

Jesus was not claiming to be His Father.

He was explaining that the Father was living and working through Him.

The same principle helps us understand Paul's words.

Jesus is in the form of God because He perfectly reflects His Father's character, glory, wisdom, holiness, and love.

As God's only begotten Son, He uniquely reveals the invisible God to mankind.

This understanding also fits perfectly with the rest of Paul's writings, where he consistently distinguishes between:

  • the one God, the Father, and

  • the one Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6).

The next statement in Philippians 2:6 is just as important.

Paul says Jesus:

"Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped."

What did Paul mean by that?

Was he saying Jesus was equal with God?

Or was he saying exactly the opposite?

That is the next question we must examine.  

"...did not consider equality with God something to be grasped."

Let's carefully examine what Paul actually wrote.


Part 3 – Did Paul Teach That Jesus Was Equal with God?

After describing Jesus as being "in the form of God," Paul continues:

"...did not consider equality with God something to be grasped."
(Philippians 2:6)

This statement has often been interpreted to mean that Jesus already was Almighty God.

But is that really what Paul is saying?

Once again, we should begin by asking:

What does the text actually say?

Notice that Paul does not write:

"Jesus was equal with God."

Instead, Paul says Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.

The emphasis is not on Jesus declaring Himself equal with God.

The emphasis is on His attitude.

Rather than seeking His own glory or exalting Himself, Jesus chose the path of humility and obedience.

This becomes clear as we continue reading.

Paul writes:

"But emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross."
(Philippians 2:7–8)

Notice the flow of Paul's argument.

He is not explaining who Jesus is in an abstract theological sense.

He is presenting Jesus as the supreme example of humility.

This is the whole purpose of the passage.

In fact, Paul begins the chapter by encouraging believers:

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."
(Philippians 2:3)

Then he says:

"Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 2:5)

Everything that follows is illustrating Christ's humility.

Jesus did not seek His own honour.

He did not exalt Himself.

He willingly humbled Himself and became obedient to His Father's will.

This perfectly agrees with Jesus' own words throughout John's Gospel.

Jesus repeatedly said:

"I seek not My own glory."
(John 8:50)

Again:

"I can do nothing on My own."
(John 5:30)

And again:

"The Father is greater than I."
(John 14:28)

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently pointed away from Himself and gave all glory to His Father.

Paul is describing that same humble attitude in Philippians 2.

Rather than grasping for position, honour, or status, Jesus submitted Himself completely to the will of God.

This is why the next verse begins with one of the most important words in the chapter:

"Therefore..."
(Philippians 2:9)

Because Jesus humbled Himself and remained obedient, therefore God highly exalted Him.

Notice carefully.

Jesus does not exalt Himself.

God exalts Jesus.

The One who exalts is greater than the one who is exalted.

Paul writes:

"Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."
(Philippians 2:9)

This is a vital point.

If Jesus already possessed the highest position as Almighty God Himself, why would God need to highly exalt Him?

Why would God need to bestow honour upon Him?

The answer is found in Jesus' perfect obedience.

The Father rewarded His faithful Son by exalting Him above every other human being and giving Him the highest place under Himself.

Far from teaching that Jesus is Almighty God, Paul presents a beautiful picture of the Father's love for His obedient Son.

The next section will examine this exaltation in greater detail and show how it fits perfectly with Paul's consistent teaching that there is:

"One God, the Father... and one Lord, Jesus Christ."
(1 Corinthians 8:6)


Part 4 – Why Did God Highly Exalt Jesus?

After describing Christ's humility and obedience, Paul reaches the climax of his argument.

He writes:

"Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."
(Philippians 2:9)

The very first word is significant:

"Therefore..."

Paul is explaining why Jesus was exalted.

Because Jesus willingly humbled Himself...

Because He became obedient to His Father's will...

Because He endured death, even death on a cross...

Therefore God highly exalted Him.

Notice carefully who is acting.

Paul does not say that Jesus exalted Himself.

Nor does he say that Jesus simply returned to a position He already possessed.

Instead, Paul says:

God highly exalted Him.

This is one of the clearest distinctions between the Father and the Son in the New Testament.

There is:

  • the One who exalts, and

  • the One who is exalted.

Paul consistently identifies the Father as the One who acts.

The Father exalts.

The Son is exalted.

The Father gives.

The Son receives.

Paul continues:

"...and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."
(Philippians 2:9)

Again, notice the wording.

The name was given to Jesus.

It was not something Jesus bestowed upon Himself.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly acknowledges that everything He has comes from His Father.

Jesus Himself said:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
(Matthew 28:18)

Likewise, Jesus declared:

"The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand."
(John 3:35)

Again:

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me."
(John 6:37)

And after His resurrection Jesus still referred to the Father as:

"My God and your God."
(John 20:17)

All of these passages present the same consistent picture.

The Father is the source.

The Son is the faithful recipient.

The Son receives His authority, glory, honour, and exaltation from His Father.

This also agrees perfectly with Peter's preaching.

Peter declared:

"The God of our fathers glorified His servant Jesus."
(Acts 3:13)

Notice once again.

It is God who glorifies Jesus.

Paul's words in Philippians 2 therefore fit beautifully with the rest of the New Testament.

Rather than presenting Jesus as exalting Himself, Paul shows the Father rewarding His obedient Son.

This is precisely why the chapter is such a powerful lesson in humility.

Jesus did not seek His own glory.

He trusted His Father completely.

And in due time, the Father highly exalted Him.

The next question naturally follows.

Does Paul teach this same distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ elsewhere in his letters?

The answer is yes—and the consistency of Paul's teaching is remarkable.


Part 6 – Conclusion

When Philippians 2:6 is read in its immediate context and alongside the rest of Paul's writings, a clear and consistent picture emerges.

Paul does not simply say that Jesus was God.

Instead, he describes Jesus as being:

"In the form of God."

Throughout his letters, Paul consistently explains what this means.

Jesus is:

  • the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15),

  • the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4),

  • the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3),

  • the exact representation of God's nature (Hebrews 1:3).

These descriptions reveal that Jesus perfectly reflects His Father's character, glory, holiness, wisdom, and love.

As the only begotten Son of God, He is the perfect revelation of the invisible God to mankind.

Paul then goes on to show Christ's extraordinary humility.

Rather than seeking His own glory, Jesus willingly humbled Himself, became obedient to His Father's will, and even accepted death on a cross.

Because of His perfect obedience,

"Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."
(Philippians 2:9)

Notice the beautiful relationship that Paul describes.

The Father exalts.

The Son is exalted.

The Father gives.

The Son receives.

The Father sends.

The Son willingly obeys.

This same pattern appears throughout the New Testament.

Jesus continually gave all honour and glory to His Father.

He said:

"The Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)

He also prayed:

"This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

Paul's teaching harmonises perfectly with these words.

He never abandons the distinction between the one God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ.

Instead, Philippians 2 presents Jesus as the perfect example of humility, obedience, and faithful service.

Far from grasping at honour for Himself, He humbled Himself completely and entrusted His life to His Father.

For that reason, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the highest place under Himself.

When we allow Paul to explain Paul, Philippians 2:6 fits beautifully with the whole testimony of Scripture.

The passage is not merely about Christ's identity.

It is a powerful call for every believer to imitate His humility, obedience, and complete trust in God.

As Paul himself says at the beginning of this chapter:

"Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

That is the central lesson of Philippians 2.

May we follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ by humbling ourselves, serving others, and giving all glory to the one true God, the Father.

And like the Bereans, may we continue to examine the Scriptures carefully, allowing God's Word to interpret itself rather than relying upon human tradition (Acts 17:11).

Friday, 13 December 2019

My Conclusion of Philippians 2:6.


My Conclusion of Philippians 2:6. By Simon Brown.


Friends, welcome back from my last video and article, when we looked at Philippians 2:6.  

Before we move forward to Philippians 2:7,8, here is my CONCLUSION of Philippians 2:6.   


There, we saw how MOST of Christianity believe Paul was teaching Jesus is GOD. Because Paul said: 
Philippians 2:6. Greek text..

But again on close examination, we saw how Paul was NOT teaching Jesus is GOD, Because Paul DID NOT SAY: (WHO WAS GOD).  

1. We saw how Paul meant Jesus is just like His GOD, which is why he said: Who in the (form) of GOD.  


2. The TRINITY faith teach Jesus is EQUAL with GOD, which is in conflict with what Paul says in Philippians 2:6:
Philippians 2:6. 2 Greek text.

As we read in a good translation saying: did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped. Berean Literal Bible  

3. If Jesus was already GOD, then that means God is in the form of himself, and therefor Paul would simply say Jesus is GOD.

4. Paul clearly DEFINES the difference between Jesus and GOD, by NOT telling us Jesus is GOD, but that Jesus is in the (FORM) of His GOD, in other words Jesus is just like His GOD.     

5. Now here is the best, I have saved until last, which brings us to the final CONCLUSION, and undeniable fact, proving how Paul was NOT teaching Jesus was GOD.  

Just by going to a few verses later in Philippians 2:9 - 11, notice what we read: 9 Therefore God also highly exalted Him, and granted to Him the name above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in the heavens and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Berean Literal Bible  

Note, who is the person who has (highly exalted Him, Jesus)?

Answer:
9 Therefore God also highly exalted Him, If Jesus was already the SAME one true GOD, as most wrongly teach, then GOD (highly exalted Him (SELF).  

Notice how Paul said the person who has (highly exalted Him, Jesus), IS GOD.  

As Paul said in verse 9 (Therefore God) also highly exalted Him, proves Jesus is not the person who is GOD.  

And in Philippians 2:11, look at what Paul tell us: and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Did you notice a very SIMPLE fact there?  

We DO NOT READ Paul saying: and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is (GOD).  

And yet the TRINITY faith, and the Oneness Pentecostal faith believe and teach what is NOT taught ANYWHERE in the whole Bible, and say and teach WE MUST BELIEVE JESUS IS GOD TO BE SAVED.  

Finally: We clearly see how Paul tells us who is GOD ALONE in the end of Philippians 2:11, by telling us, (that Jesus Christ is Lord.  

And then Paul goes on to tell us who is GOD, by going on to say: to the glory of God the Father.   

And as Paul has made this very CLEAR HERE, who is GOD, saying He is the Father, this simply proves Jesus CANNOT also be a TRUE GOD, because we would then have 2 TRUE GODS, CONTRADICTING the word of GOD, and the WHOLE BIBLE.

We finish with Romans 10:9, where we read NOTHING about how we MUST believe Jesus is GOD, but that we MUST believe the person who is GOD, is the person who raised Jesus out from the dead:  Berean Literal Bible:
 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him out from the dead, you will be saved.  

Please join me again in my next article and video, when we will move on to examine Philippians 2:7,8, and see how this is yet again another one of countless confusions and deceptions by most within Christianity.


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Related Articles:


Philippians 2:6 and Colossians 2:9, TRINITARIAN DECEPTION and Confusion.


Did GOD say Jesus was GOD?




Thursday, 20 June 2019

Quick Facts: Does Philippians 2:6 Really Say Jesus Was God?

 IMPORTANT UPDATE — NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE

This subject has now been completely rewritten and expanded with additional research and evidence.

PLEASE READ THE NEW 👇👇 UPDATED ARTICLE!

Philippians 2:6 infographic comparing the NLT phrase “Though he was God” with the Greek expression “in the form of God,” examining morphē, Paul’s descriptions of Jesus, and related Bible passages.

This detailed Bible research infographic examines Philippians 2:6 and the New Living Translation wording “Though he was God.” It compares this with the Greek expression en morphē Theou, “in the form of God,” and examines the Greek word morphē. It also compares Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:9, John 17:3 and 1 Corinthians 8:6 to investigate Paul’s distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ.

CLICK HERE: QUICK FACTS: PHILIPPIANS 2:6 DID PAUL REALLY SAY ABOUT JESUS: “THOUGH HE WAS GOD”?

Monday, 13 May 2019

Philippians 2:6 — What Does “Being in the Form of God” Really Mean?

 IMPORTANT UPDATE — NEW RESEARCH AVAILABLE

This subject has now been completely rewritten and expanded with additional research and evidence.

READ THE NEW UPDATED ARTICLE HERE: Philippians 2:6 — Did Paul Really Write That Jesus “Was God”?

OR CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW

Philippians 2:6 infographic comparing the NLT phrase “Though he was God” with the Greek expression “in the form of God,” examining morphē, Paul’s descriptions of Jesus, and related Bible passages.

This detailed Bible research infographic examines Philippians 2:6 and the New Living Translation wording “Though he was God.” It compares this with the Greek expression en morphē Theou, “in the form of God,” and examines the Greek word morphē. It also compares Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:9, John 17:3 and 1 Corinthians 8:6 to investigate Paul’s distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ.