The statement that Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped comes from Philippians 2:6, which says: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.” This verse has been the subject of much discussion and debate over what it means that Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped or taken advantage of.
To understand this verse, we first need to look at the context. Philippians 2:5-11 is a section called the “Christ Hymn” which describes Jesus’ humility and obedience in coming to earth, dying on the cross, and being exalted by God. The passage emphasizes how Jesus did not cling to His divine rights and privileges as God, but rather humbled Himself and became a man in order to accomplish God’s plan of salvation.
So when verse 6 says Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, it means:
- Jesus possessed equality with God – He is fully divine in nature and essence. As John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus was and is God.
- But Jesus did not cling tightly to His divine rights and privileges. He was willing to lay aside the continuous full display and use of His divine attributes.
- Jesus did not consider His equality with God “a thing to be grasped.” This phrase can also be translated “a thing to be exploited” or “held onto tightly.” The point is Jesus did not selfishly cling to His divine privileges.
By not clinging to His divine rights, Jesus was able to take on humanity and become a man in order to identify with us and die in our place on the cross (Philippians 2:7-8). This mindset of humility and selflessness is a model for how Christians should live (Philippians 2:5).
Jesus’ equality with God speaks to His divine nature from eternity past. The fact that He did not cling to this status means He was willing to temporarily veil His glory and take on the form of a servant to save us. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of humility, obedience, and self-sacrifice for others.
Jesus Possessed Full Equality with God
The first crucial point is that Jesus truly possessed equality with God. As Paul states, He was “in very nature God” (Philippians 2:6). Jesus claimed, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Hebrews 1 says Jesus is the “exact representation of God’s being” and that God calls the Son “God” (Hebrews 1:3,8). Jesus accepted worship that was due to God alone (Matthew 28:9). Jesus forgave sins and performed miracles that only God could do. So according to the Bible, Jesus was fully God.
As God, Jesus rightfully holds supreme glory, honor, and authority. Revelation 5 portrays the Lamb (Jesus) as worthy to open the scroll when no one else in heaven or earth was worthy. All the angels worship Him singing “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Revelation 5:12). Jesus said that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18).
So there is no question – Jesus truly shared equality with God the Father. As God, He possessed the highest glory, honor, and authority over all creation. Yet Jesus willingly chose not to cling to these divine privileges.
Jesus Did Not Grasp at His Equality with God
While Jesus fully shared the divine nature and was equal with God, He chose not to take advantage of this high position. The phrase “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped” conveys this important truth.
The Greek word translated “grasped” or “used to his own advantage” is “harpagmos.” This word can mean to seize something forcefully or snatch it away rapaciously. But it also conveys the idea of clinging to something or holding onto it tenaciously.
So Jesus did not view His equality with God as something to be selfishly exploited for His own benefit or advantage. He did not cling tightly to His supreme rights, privileges, glory, and authority that rightfully belonged to Him as God. Instead, He made Himself nothing and became a servant (Philippians 2:7).
Of course, Jesus did make full use of His divine attributes and power to perform miracles on earth and reveal the nature of God to us. So Jesus did not completely empty Himself of His divine glory. But He limited and veiled His glory during the incarnation (John 17:5). This helps explain Jesus’ statement that “the Father is greater than I” (John 14:28) during His time on earth.
In summary, Jesus’ attitude was not to cling to His advantageous position as God but rather to focus on obeying and glorifying the Father. This mindset led to the amazing events of the incarnation and crucifixion.
The Incarnation Demonstrates Jesus’ Humility
Jesus’ willingness to not grasp at His divine rights enabled the incarnation. The incarnation refers to God the Son becoming a human being. This is one of the most amazing truths of Christianity.
By becoming a man and dwelling among us (John 1:14), Jesus demonstrated the ultimate example of humility and obedience. Imagine if a king removed his royal robes, left his throne, and took up the humble life of a peasant in order to accomplish his purposes. This would convey great humility and condescension on his part. But Jesus leaving the glories of heaven to become one of us is an infinitely greater act of humility.
As Philippians 2:7-8 describes, Jesus “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” The Creator and Lord of the universe took the nature of a finite, fleshly, human being in order to save us. He then humbled Himself even more by dying a criminal’s death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
For the all-powerful, all-glorious God to limit Himself to a frail human body is the ultimate picture of humility and self-emptying. When considering Christ’s exalted divine status, the incarnation is the greatest example of humility that could possibly be displayed.
The Crucifixion Displays the Depth of Jesus’ Humility
Not only did Jesus humble Himself to become a man, but then He further humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our salvation. This was the lowest point of humiliation imaginable.
Crucifixion was a shameful, excruciating form of capital punishment reserved for the worst criminals like thieves, murderers, and rebellious slaves. No Roman citizen could be crucified except for extreme crimes like treason. So for Jesus, the only truly sinless and righteous person to ever live, to be crucified was incredibly humbling.
Imagine the eternal, almighty God allowing Himself to be scourged, beaten, mocked, and nailed naked to a cross by sinful men to pay for their salvation! No other picture could fully convey Christ’s humility and willingness to sacrifice Himself for us.
Jesus easily could have called down legions of angels from heaven to destroy those who persecuted Him (Matthew 26:53). He could have exercised His divine authority and come down off the cross. But Jesus willingly endured the agony and disgrace of crucifixion because He loved us so deeply.
So again, Jesus’ equality with God did not lead Him to exploit His divine rights. Instead His supreme position motivated Him to endure the ultimate depths of humiliation and suffering for our sake. As God in the flesh, Jesus uniquely understands the human condition and is able to fully identify with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16). What an amazing Savior!
Jesus Was Exalted to the Highest Place
The irony and paradox of Jesus not grasping His equality with God is that this led the Father to highly exalt His Son. Because Jesus humbled Himself so remarkably, God raised Him up to the highest place.
Philippians 2:9 says, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Jesus ascended back to heaven after His death and resurrection and was given the name and glory He had laid aside when He came to earth (John 17:5). God enthroned Jesus at His own right hand, placing all things under His feet.
Ephesians 1:20-22 says God seated Jesus “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named…and he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). The One who did not cling to His equality with God now reigns over all created things.
This again displays the upside-down economy of the kingdom of God. In humble obedience to the Father, Jesus came down to the lowest place by suffering and dying for us. Therefore, God highly exalted Jesus and appointed Him heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). This magnificent exaltation was the end result of Jesus’ willingness to not cling to His divine rights and take the path of humility instead.
Jesus is Our Model for Humility and Obedience
Not only did Jesus’ humility achieve our salvation, but His example also serves as a model for how we should live. The passage in Philippians 2 about Christ begins in verse 5 by saying: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
We are called to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial humility and obedience. Like our Savior, we are not to be selfishly ambitious or think of ourselves as better than others. We are not to cling tightly to what we have a “right” to but be willing to lay down our rights for others. We are to esteem others above ourselves, looking to their interests first (Philippians 2:3-4).
Humility opens the door for God to exalt us in His timing (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). When we obey God, He promises to reward us and lift us up. Our obedience also results in joy as we experience the fullness of God’s love and peace.
Of course, our humility and obedience can only come about through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we behold Jesus, God transforms us into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). The better we know our Lord, the more we become like Him. And no one can compare with Christ’s perfect example of humility leading to exaltation.
Summary of Main Points
- Jesus, being in very nature God, possessed full equality with God the Father.
- Jesus did not selfishly exploit His divine rights as God but humbled Himself.
- By becoming a man, Jesus demonstrated the greatest humility and obedience.
- In dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus embraced the ultimate humiliation.
- The Father highly exalted Jesus for His willingness to humble Himself.
- Jesus’ example of humility serves as a model for how Christians should live.
What an amazing picture of Jesus’ love for us! He willingly laid aside His divine privileges, took the form of a servant, and died on the cross, in order to save us. Jesus went from the highest place to the lowest place so that we might be lifted up and share in His glory. May we honor Christ and become more like Him by embracing the humility and obedience He perfectly modeled.