Hot answers tagged philippians
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Jesus was both "in the form of God" (ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ) and "took the form of a servant" (μορφὴν δούλου λαβών).
Jesus "took the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:7) and he was a servant (Isa. 42:1).
Jesus was "in the form of God" (Phil. 2:6) and he was __.
form of a servant: servant :: form of God: ___
form of X: X :: form of Y: Y
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The word μορφῇ means "form, outward appearance, [or] shape"1 (occurring in the dative in this context following the preposition ἐν). To be very blunt, translating this as "nature" (as the NIV does) is a poor translation choice. Discussion of God's nature is theologically charged and thus using "nature" in this context could be misleading. The NET translators ...
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Using a Greek Lexicon, I was able to find that this same word is used in the Septuagint (LXX). This passage makes it seem that it is not offensive (Ecclesiasticus – Sirach):
27:4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.
27:4 ἐν σεισματι κοσκινου διαμενει κοπρια οὑτως σκυβαλα ἀνθρωπου ἐν λογισμω αὐτου
...
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I do not think that obscenities/profanities can be pigeon-holed. There is no point in figuring out if σκύβαλον is an obscenity. From one era the N word is acceptable and the next it is offensive. From one period calling someone a dyke is offensive but in recent years it is celebrated by those who accept a certain life-style.
Is it considered offensive to ...
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The occurrence of morphe and its co-words in the New Testament proves that it denotes " nature" not just mere appearance:
Moral nature Romans 12:2 ( are we to change in "appearance' only as Christians and not in our moral nature? also 2 Corinthians 3:18 )
Servant's nature Philippians 2:7 ( did he just "appeared" to be a servant or really become a servant?)
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