My Understanding of Kenosis
I share my understanding of what kenosis is, from total humility. I do not make it a dogma; I only share it as my personal understanding, which I believe brings me closer to Christ.
Kenosis as I Feel and Live It I do not only understand kenosis —
I feel it, I live it.
It is to be meek in heart,
without a trace of disordered ego or ill desire.
— “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29)
It is to renounce the world,
and the desires of the weak flesh.
— “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
It is to be pure in heart,
to follow Jesus Christ in every step.
— “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
It is to be ready for agape,
to shine as light in the night.
— “Walk in love (agape), as Christ also loved us.” (Ephesians 5:2)
— “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
And I also feel kenosis as service:washing the feet of others,
giving without seeking return,
making myself smaller so that others may live.
— “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
— “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)
For me, kenosis is not theory —
it is the emptying of self in humility and service,
so that the love and light of Christ may be all in me.
— “He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:7)
1) Biblical Starting Point (the Philippians Hymn)
Philippians 2:5–11 — Christ, “being in the form of God,” did not exploit His equality, but “emptied Himself (ekenōsen),” took the form of a servant, obeyed unto the cross; therefore God exalted Him.
- https://biblehub.com/philippians/2-5.htm
- https://biblehub.com/philippians/2-7.htm
- https://biblehub.com/philippians/2-9.htm
Colossians 2:9 — He did not lose deity: “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Mark 10:45 / 2 Corinthians 8:9 / John 13 — Kenosis is seen in service and self-giving (not in theory).
- https://biblehub.com/mark/10-45.htm
- https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/8-9.htm
- https://biblehub.com/john/13.htm
My biblical thesis in brief:
Kenosis is not losing deity; it is freely renouncing the independent exercise of divine prerogatives, in order to serve and save.
2) Beyond the Lexicons: Meaning and Pedagogy
κενόω (kenóō) — “to empty / render void / strip.” In Philippians 2, the “emptying” is explained by “taking the form of a servant”: He assumes servanthood (not subtracts deity).
- Strong G2758: https://biblehub.com/greek/2758.htm
- Mounce: https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/kenoo
- Thayer: https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/greek/2758.html
ἁρπαγμός (harpagmós) — Today best read as “advantage not to exploit” (not “prey to cling to”): Christ translates equality with God into love-service.
- Greek text: https://biblehub.com/text/philippians/2-6.htm
- Classic essay (Hoover): https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Harpagmos-Enigma%3A-A-Philological-Solution-Hoover/e76c3ba0a971ec5d8a93462079694f1361099a02
Pedagogy: The Bible forms the heart (2 Tim 3:16). Kenosis calls me to empty the lust of the eyes and pride of life (1 Jn 2:16) and Lucifer’s arrogance (Is 14:13–14), so that grace may reign.
- 1 John 2:16 — https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-16.htm
- Isaiah 14:13–14 — https://biblehub.com/isaiah/14-13.htm
3) Kenosis as Hermeneutical Key (Daniel 12 “Sealed”)
- Daniel 12:4,9–10 — Book “sealed”… only the wise (the humble) understand.
- Matthew 11:25 — Revealed to “babes,” hidden from the proud.
- Luke 24:45 — Christ opens the mind to understand the Scriptures.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14–16 — The veil is removed when one turns to the Lord.
- Revelation 5:1–5 — Only the Lamb (kenosis consummated) breaks the seals.
Synthesis: The practical “seal” is the ego. The kenosis of the reader (humility/obedience) opens Scripture — the same Scripture the Lamb Himself opens.
4) Guardrails (to Avoid Deviations)
- Grace vs. legalism: salvation is by grace (Eph 2:8–10), grace that trains (Tit 2:11–12).
- No docetism / no platonism: flesh is not abolished but transfigured (Lk 24:39; 1 Co 15:44,50; Ro 8:21).
- Path of discipleship: “Deny yourself…” (Lk 9:23).
5) Patristic Voices (Kenosis as Incarnation, Not Loss of Deity)
- Athanasius, On the Incarnation — The Word assumes the human without losing the divine.
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies V — Recapitulation and renewal of creation.
- Gregory Nazianzen, Or. 29 — Distinction without division in Christ (high Christology).
Reference lexicons:
- BDAG — https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/G/bo3622223.html
- LSJ — https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/efts/PERSEUS/Reference/lsj.html
- TDNT (Kittel) — https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467422734/theological-dictionary-of-the-new-testament-10-vol-set/
- NIDNTTE — https://zondervanacademic.com/products/new-international-dictionary-of-new-testament-theology-and-exegesis-set
6) Daily Practice (How I Live It)
- Prayer: “Open my eyes” (Ps 119:18).
- Examine ego/desire (1 Jn 2:16).
- Acts of hidden service (Mt 6).
- Reminder: knowledge without love puffs up; love builds up (1 Co 8:1).
One-Line Summary
Kenosis = Christ, without ceasing to be God, renounces prerogatives to serve, opens the Scriptures, and forms us in obedient humility; thus He transfigures our hearts and, in the end, all creation.
