6 Who being in the essential form - The incommunicable nature.
Of God - From eternity, as he was afterward in the form of man; real God,
as real man. Counted it no act of robbery - That is the precise meaning
of the words, - no invasion of another's prerogative, but his own strict
and unquestionable right. To be equal with God - the word here translated
equal, occurs in the adjective form five or six times in the New Testament,
Mt 20:12; Lu 6:34; Joh 5:18; Ac 11:17; Re 21:16. In all which places it
expresses not a bare resemblance, but a real and proper equalitg. It here
implies both the fulness and the supreme height of the Godhead; to which
are opposed, he emptied and he humbled himself.
7 Yet - He was so far from tenaciously insisting upon, that he willingly
relinquished, his claim. He was content to forego the glories of the Creator,
and to appear in the form of a creature; nay, to he made in the likeness
of the fallen creatures; and not only to share the disgrace, but to suffer
the punishment, due to the meanest and vilest among them all. He emptied
himself - Of that divine fulness, which he received again at his exaltation.
Though he remained full, John 1:14, yet he appeared as if he had been empty;
for he veiled his fulness from the sight of men and angels. Yea, he not
only veiled, but, in some sense, renounced, the glory which he had before
the world began. Taking - And by that very act emptying himself. The form
of a servant - The form, the likeness, the fashion, though not exactly
the same, are yet nearly related to each other. The form expresses something
absolute; the likeness refers to other things of the same kind; the fashion
respects what appears to sight and sense. Being made in the likeness of
men - A real man, like other men. Hereby he took the form of a servant.
8 And being found in fashion as a man - A common man, without any peculiar
excellence or comeliness. He humbled himself - To a still greater depth.
Becoming obedient - To God, though equal with him. Even unto death - The
greatest instance both of humiliation and obedience. Yea, the death of
the cross - Inflicted on few but servants or slaves.
9 Wherefore - Because of his voluntary humiliation and obedience. He
humbled himself; but God hath exalted him - So recompensing his humiliation.
And hath given him - So recompensing his emptying himself. A name which
is above every name - Dignity and majesty superior to every creature.
10 That every knee - That divine honour might be paid in every possible
manner by every creature. Might bow - Either with love or trembling. Of
those in heaven, earth, under the earth - That is, through the whole universe.
11 And every tongue - Even of his enemies. Confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord - Jehovah; not now "in the form of a servant," but enthroned in
the glory of God the Father.
