Did the Son of God pre-exist in the FORM of God in the eternity past? Did Jesus exist as God Himself in the eternity past?

Did Jesus exist as God the Son in the eternity past? Was Jesus BORN with the divine nature of God?

Did Jesus have two natures at the same time during the days of his flesh, one divine and one human as some Christians dogmatically demand?

Or did the HUMAN Son BEGIN to be under God in the FORM of God?

B-6 Ch6 What Does Philippians 2:6-8 TRULY Mean?

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Did Jesus Pre-exist in the FORM of God?

Chapter 6.

WHEN Did the Son exist in the FORM of God?

Let us begin this study in God’s word by saying that there is more than just one way to “interpret” Philippians 2:6-8. There is a correct way to interpret Philippians 2:6-8 and there are incorrect ways to interpret Philippians 2:6-8.

Now, to me, it makes no sense for a Trinitarian Christian to say that Jesus is Almighty God Himself in the flesh and then use Philippians 2:6-8 to try to prove their theory.

For you see, Jesus cannot be BOTH Almighty God and being in the FORM of Almighty God. You are either one or the other. It makes no sense to argue that Jesus is Almighty God HIMSELF and they argue that Jesus is EQUAL to Almighty God Himself.

So then, HOW do we know which “INTERPRETATION” of Philippians 2:6-8 is the CORRECT interpretation? As I have said many times in the studies that I write, any interpretation which a Christian concludes a verse to mean, then that interpretation must AGREE with what the WHOLE word of God teaches us.

I teach my readers to always start with the immediate CONTEXT when interpreting the Scriptures. So let us read Philippians 2:1-11 which is five verses of context before Philippians 2:6-8 and three verses of context after Philippians 2:6-8.

Please read the whole context even if you have read it thousands of times before. Notice the emphasized and highlighted words. And pay close attention to my comments and explanation in parenthesis.

Also, the word in green font are NOT in the original Greek text. They were ADDED by the translators in the KJV.

Philippians 2:1-11.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2. Fulfill you my joy, that you be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.

4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5. Let this mind be in you, which was ALSO in Christ Jesus: (So the subject in the first five verses of context is on having the SAME mind that Jesus had while he was on the earth which is to esteem others better than ourselves)

6. Who, (Speaking of Jesus right now PRESENTLY in the PRESENT tense and NOT in eternity PAST. The Greek word translated as “being” means CAME into existence, the BEGIN being under. And it was AFTER the cross and resurrection that the HUMAN Son of God CAME INTO) being in the FORM of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (I will explain further for WHY I say right now presently and NOT in eternity PAST after we read the whole immediate context)

7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, (Or more correctly translated, Contrariwise, he made himself of no reputation and HELD to his form of a servant) and was made in the likeness of men: (In other words, after being HIGHLY EXALTED and being given the divine nature of IMMORTALITY to begin being in the FORM of God, he made himself of no reputation and continued being in the form of a servant made in the likeness of men)

8. And (Or MOREOVER or ALSO) being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9. WHEREFORE, (Or BECAUSE OF this very REASON that Jesus ANOINTED became OBEDIENT unto death even the shameful death of the cross) God also has HIGHLY EXALTED him and has GIVEN him a NAME which is above every name:

10. THAT (Or SO THAT) AT the NAME of Jesus (Speaking of the NEW NAME that Almighty God GAVE to Jesus) every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, TO the glory OF God the Father.”

Now, simply ask yourself the question, “Does the CONTEXT agree with verse 6 being INTERPRETED as Jesus ALWAYS existing as Almighty God Himself?”

To me, the interpretation of verse 6 that Jesus pre-existed as God the Son, the second person of a Godhead Trinity God, does NOT agree with the context of beginning to be in the FORM of God.

Does Almighty God the Father HIGHLY EXALTING Jesus agree with the Oneness Pentecostal and the Trinitarian teaching that Jesus was FULLY Almighty God in the flesh and fully a human being at the SAME time having TWO natures, one divine, and one human?

Again, to me, the interpretation that Jesus pre-existed as Almighty God Himself in the eternity past does NOT agree with the context. Why would an already Almighty God need to be highly exalted and given a new name above every other name if Jesus was fully Almighty God in the flesh?

Notice that verse 11 teaches us that all the GLORY is to Almighty God the Father. Also, the CONTEXT is about having the SAME MIND as Jesus Christ to be HUMBLE, to be a SERVANT to others, and to esteem others better than ourselves.

So, what does any of that have to do with a so-called PRE-EXISTING of Jesus in eternity PAST in the FORM of God? If the Son existed in the FORM of God in the eternity past as some Christians claim, then the Son cannot be God Himself.

Also, keep in mind that we are reading the English TRANSLATION of what Paul actually wrote in letters to the Philippians in the Greek language. So let us look up the meanings of the words in Philippians 2:6.

Here is verse 6 with the Strong’s numbers color-coded so you can follow along with what I am saying a little easier.

Philippians 2:6 with Strong’s numbers after each English word.

“Who, G3739 being G5225 in G1722 the form G3444 of God, G2316 thought G2233 it not G3756 robbery G725 to be G1511 equal G2470 with God: G2316 “

And here is how the concordance in E-Sword defines these Greek words.

G5225

ὑπάρχω

huparchō

hoop-ar’-kho

From G5259 and G756; to begin under (quietly), that is, come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition, or an auxiliary to a principal verb): – after behave, live.

The two root words that the compound Greek word “huparcho” comes from means COMMENCE to be UNDER, or to come into existence to be PRESENTLY UNDER in the form of God.

So then, the English word that is translated as “BEING” means to come into existence to commence being under “the Father” in the FORM of God. As in, Jesus was MADE in the IMAGE of God after the cross being GIVEN the divine nature of immortality.

And that meaning of the Greek word “huparcho”, Strong’s number G5225, AGREES with Acts 2:36. And Acts 2:22-36 clearly teaches us in SIMPLICITY that Almighty God MADE the Son of MAN, Jesus, both Lord and Christ AFTER the cross and resurrection.

And that is WHEN the CONTEXT of Philippians 2:6-8 teaches us that Jesus was HIGHLY EXALTED, after he became obedient to die on the cross. Let us look at the next Greek word that is translated as being in the “form” of God.

G3444

μορφή

morphē

mor-fay’

Perhaps from the base of G3313 (through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively nature: – form.

Total KJV occurrences: 3.

The adjustment of parts speaks of human nature being CHANGED or adjusted to become the divine nature of IMMORTALITY. Which again, that took place AFTER the cross and resurrection of the Son of MAN, Jesus. For you see, how could an immortal Son die on the cross?

Also, Jesus went from being able to do NOTHING OF himself to now being GIVEN ALL power and authority to be able to give eternal life to those of us who believe.

And all these adjustments took place AFTER the cross and resurrection. Let us go ahead and look at how the concordances in E-Sword defines the root word or the BASE word from which the Greek word “morphe” comes from and is translated as being in the “FORM” of God.

G3313

μέρος

meros

mer’-os

From an obsolete but more primary form of μείρομαι meiromai (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application): – behalf, coast, course, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort (-what).

So then, Jesus came into existence to commence being under in the form, or NATURE of God by way of God adjusting his HUMAN nature to become DIVINE nature to SHARE the divine nature with Almighty God Yahweh the Father.

The human Son of God INHERITED the divine nature of God, the joy that God set before him to endure the cross, according to Hebrews 12:2. Also, Jesus will INHERIT the worlds to come.

The next word, the Greek word “theos” means Deity and divinity. It also means to be [A] God or a Deity. And with the definite article “the” it almost always refers to the ONE TRUE God who alone is the Father, according to what the Bible itself teaches us.

However, there is NO definite article “the” in verse 6 in front of the word “God” which says Jesus came to exist in the FORM OF God. It does NOT say in the form of THE Almighty God Himself.

So then, this verse could be translated as Jesus came into being in the form of a Deity. And that is exactly what actually happened, that is EXACTLY what was FULFILLED.

For you see, Jesus was MADE Lord by his God and Father after the cross to be UNDER and subject to his God, according to Acts 2:36.

G2316

θεός

theos

theh’-os

Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: – X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward].

Now let us read the first part of Philippians 2:6 with the meanings of the Greek words.

My own paraphrased version of Philippians 2:6a.

“Who (Speaking of Jesus right now PRESENTLY in the PRESENT tense and NOT in eternity PAST) being (Or who has COME INTO EXISTENCE to PRESENTLY begin UNDER) in the form (Or in that NATURE, as in, by adjustment of his human nature to now SHARING the DIVINE NATURE of IMMORTALITY) of God,…”

In other words, AFTER the CROSS, Almighty God the Father HIGHLY EXALTED the Son of MAN, Jesus, and GAVE him the DIVINE NATURE of IMMORTALITY to share in the GLORY of Yahweh the Father.

And, according to John 17:21,22, Jesus will give us the SAME GLORY that his God GAVE to him.

Again, the Greek word “huparcho” is in the PRESENT tense and carries the meaning of coming into this present existence of the FORM of God sharing the divine NATURE of God.

The rest of verse 6 simply means that Jesus did not even think to seize this glory for himself. Nor did Jesus even think to grasp at equality with God like Lucifer did, which caused this whole thing of God creating MAN and the Son of MAN to STILL God’s ENEMY, according to Psalm 8:1-6.

But rather, this was God’s idea. For you see, God SET this JOY before the Son of MAN, Jesus, to ENDURE the cross, according to Hebrews 12:2.

And even with such a joy set before Jesus, he still had to BECOME OBEDIENT to put his OWN will under his God and Father’s “WILL”, according to Matthew 26:38-42 and the other gospels where Jesus prayed not my will but your “WILL” be done.

The will of Jesus wanted that cup of suffering on the cross to pass from him if at all possible. But Jesus knew the Scriptures spoke of him and he knew what God prophesied for him to do.

So then, Jesus became OBEDIENT to do his God and Father’s “WILL” over his own “will”. And for that very REASON of Jesus humbling himself to die a cruel and shameful death on the cross, his God and Father HIGHLY exalted him to be SET on his God and Father’s throne at the Father’s side UNTIL God puts all His enemies under his feet.

Keep in mind that AFTER the 1000-year reign of Jesus has ended that Jesus will step down from ruling the Kingdom and commit the ruling of the Kingdom BACK into his God and Father’s hand so that God may be all and in all.

Let us read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 from the KJV, but first, I would like you to read verse 28 from the Message Bible.

1 Corinthians 15:28 from the Message Bible.

“When everything and everyone is finally under God’s rule, the Son will STEP DOWN, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God’s rule is absolutely comprehensive – a perfect ending!”

The New Century Translation says it like this.

1 Corinthians 15:28 from the New Century Version.

“After everything has been put under the Son, then he will put himself under God, who will have put all things under him. Then God will be the complete ruler over everything.”

Satan is called “the god” of this present world, which HAS the definite article “the” in the Greek text. But Satan being CALLED “the” god does NOT mean that Satan is THE ONE TRUE God. So Jesus being in the FORM of God does NOT prove that Jesus always pre-existed in the as God Himself in the eternity past.

Let us REVIEW what we have learned by reading Philippians 2:7,8 with Jesus coming into existence in the form of God’s divine nature of immortality AFTER the CROSS being fixed in your mind. I will use the paraphrased version for verse 6 only and the KJV for verse 7 and 8.

Philippians 2:6-8.

“Who (Speaking of Jesus right now PRESENTLY in the PRESENT tense and NOT in eternity PAST) being (Or who has COME INTO EXISTENCE to PRESENTLY begin UNDER) in the form (Or in the DIVINE NATURE of IMMORTALITY, as in, by adjustment of his human mortal nature to now SHARING the DIVINE NATURE) of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (Or it did NOT even enter into the mind or thoughts of Jesus to seize or take by force to be like God as Lucifer did during a previous AGE of the earth. You see, Lucifer rebelled and waged a WAR against God’s throne to try and self-exalt himself to take by FORCE of WAR to be like God)

7. But (Or CONTRARY-WISE Jesus) made himself of no reputation, and HELD to his form of a servant, and was made (Or having been MADE) in the likeness of men: (Again, the words “and was” are NOT in the original Greek text. So, this should read or understood as follows in my paraphrased version or a more correct translation. “Contrary-wise instead of seeking to be equal with God after being GIVEN all power and authority after the cross, Jesus made himself of no reputation. Even during the ministry of Jesus, he did NOT seek fame and glory unto himself. But rather, he took, or he remained a SERVANT, having been MADE in the likeness of men and gave ALL of the glory to his God and Father.” Some translations say that after coming into the form of God after the cross he did not even think to take by force to be equal with God, but contrary-wise he stripped himself or he humbled himself to be a servant made in the likeness of men)

8. And (Or MOREOVER, if you remember before the cross, Jesus) being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

I believe that Yahweh PROPHESIED the ORDER of events in the order that they are to be FULFILLED. As you read the prophecy of both the first and the second coming of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6,7, I want you to notice that a CHILD is prophesied to be born FIRST.

And then, the Son that is to be GIVEN is NOT God’s Son coming down from heaven, but rather, it is the Son of MAN, Jesus, who was GIVEN as the atonement for sin.

Then notice that the Son given will NOT be called by the NAME the Mighty God UNTIL the government is LAID on his shoulders in the world yet to come.

Please read Isaiah 9:6,7.

“For (Order of event #1 that has already been FULFILLED) unto us, a CHILD is BORN, (THEN comes Order of event #2 that has also already been FULFILLED) unto us a son is given: (Speaking of the HUMAN Son of MAN, Jesus as the Son given as the ONE sacrifice for the sins of the world. Yahweh provided His own Lamb that was slain in the mind of God from the foundation of the world. God chose His Lamb to be made inferior to the angels so He made the human race a little lower than the angelic beings) and (And THEN Order of event #3 is YET FUTURE and it is YET TO BE FULFILLED) the government shall be upon his shoulder: (Which is the WRATH of God executed by Jesus. That is WHEN the kingdoms of this present world will become the kingdom of God’s dear Son to begin the 1000 year reign of Jesus) and (And THEN will come Order of event #4 that is YET FUTURE and it is YET TO BE FULFILLED WHEN the government will be set upon the shoulder of Jesus IN the world to come, at which TIME) his NAME shall be CALLED Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, (Or more precisely, according to Hebrews 5:9, the Father of everlasting life or the AUTHOR of eternal life. For you see, it was BECAUSE, OF the Son of man, Jesus obeying his God and Father’s “Will” that Jesus made it possible for whosoever believes in him shall be saved. Jesus was MADE perfect and he BECAME the Father of eternal life AFTER the cross and resurrection. For you see, the Son of MAN, Jesus, was GIVEN the authority and the power AFTER the cross to JUDGE and also to give eternal life to whomever he chooses. This is why Psalms 2 prophesied to kiss the feet of God’s Son whom He ordained to be his King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is also called) The Prince of Peace. (And, according to Revelation 1:5, Jesus is our Prince right now standing at the right hand of God. But at his second coming, Jesus will SIT on the right hand of Yahweh to rule and reign FOR Yahweh as the Lord of the Sabbath in the NAME of Yahweh. And at that time, the kingdoms of this present world will become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. And)

7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Also, please notice WHO is doing the PERFORMING of His own spoken word of PROPHECY that came forth OUT FROM His mouth. It is Almighty God Yahweh the creator who is performing His own word. So, to me, Jesus is the FULFILLMENT of the spoken word of PROPHECY and the WORKMANSHIP of his God and Father, Yahweh.

And the TRUTH of the whole matter is that Jesus began as a THOUGHT in God’s mind as God’s secret plan of salvation, which He kept a SECRET form His ENEMY. For had Satan known, he would not have crucified the Lord of glory, according to 1 Corinthians 2:8.

And it was not just the salvation of mankind that He had not yet created, but also the RESTORATION of the entire universe back to being at PEACE having no WAR. God created the human race to put an END to evil. Please read the studies under the heading >>>Q-0. WHY are we HERE?-Is God at WAR?<<<

So then, now that you know what the Bible ITSELF means by BELIEVING that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God to be saved. And what two commandments to keep in order to receive eternal life, what is stopping you from committing your life to God and His Son Jesus?

In other words, if you are not a born-again Christian or you are not absolutely SURE that you are SAVED, then I implore you to keep reading the rest of the “Book 6 Why God Created us!”, then please click on the link B-6 Ch7 Why Do You NOT Believe in God? In the next chapter, I will come HOW to witness to Atheists, Agnostics, and people in other world religions and in cults.

And if you have not read the other chapters in Book 6 called Why God created us, then here are the links to all of the chapters in Book 6.

Book 6 Why God Created us!