Philippians 2:7 NIV
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Did Jesus become a servant because he possessed a nature that classified him as a servant?
What particular nature made Jesus a servant?
"very nature" is unique to the NIV, which translates the Greek word μορφῇ which occurs twice in Phil 2:6, 7 - once in V6 and once in V7 which is deliberate to contrast the two "forms" of Jesus:
Thus, whatever one argues about the meaning of μορφῇ (= "form") one must apply it to both "forms" of Jesus - (a) the form of God, and, (b) the form of humanity. That is, these verses are saying that Jesus, before the incarnation had the form of God and voluntarily "emptied" Himself and took the form of a human bond-servant.
Ellicott is helpful in explaining the meaning of this word μορφῇ ("form") in commenting on Phil 2:6 -
(6) Being in the form of God.—(1) The word “being” is here the more emphatic of the two words so translated, which lays stress on the reality of existence (as in Acts 16:20; Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Galatians 2:14). Hence it calls attention to the essential being of Christ, corresponding to the idea embodied in the name Jehovah, and thus implying what is more fully expressed in John 1:1. (2) The word “form” (which, except for a casual use in Mark 16:12, is found only in this passage of the New Testament) is to be carefully distinguished from “fashion.” There can be no doubt that in classical Greek it describes the actual specific character, which (like the structure of a material substance) makes each being what it is; and this same idea is always conveyed in the New Testament by the compound words in which the root “form” is found (Romans 8:29; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:19). (3) On the other hand, the word “fashion,” as in 1 Corinthians 7:31 (“the fashion of this world passeth away”), denotes the mere outward appearance (which we frequently designate as “form”), as will be seen also in its compounds (2 Corinthians 11:13-14; 1 Peter 1:14). The two words are seen in juxtaposition in Romans 12:2; Philippians 3:21 (where see Notes). Hence, in this passage the “being in the form of God,” describes our Lord’s essential, and therefore eternal, being in the true nature of God; while the “taking on Him the form of a servant” similarly refers to His voluntary assumption of the true nature of man.
Thus, the NIV translation "very nature" is slightly interpretive but defensible.
This statement from Paul is written with the vision of hindsight. The whole life of Jesus was as a servant, but it’s important to remember he grew to be a servant unto death.
His willingness to put aside his own will to serve God’s purposes required a constant deepening of this commitment to obey, no matter the cost, which eventually cost him his life in totally unjust and horrific circumstances.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. Phil 2:8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Heb 5:8
but emptied himself (he made himself nothing), taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Phil 2:7
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law Gal 4:4
He had to be made like his brothers in every way…. Heb 2:17
What particular nature made Jesus a servant?
His humble and willing obedience to honour and serve his Father and God with his life, but willing also to even die in that service.
The nature Jesus had is one of holiness and total dependence on his God for every need. Through the Holy Spirit given him, he was able to allow God’s nature of love and grace to work through him to become the saviour sent into the world.
His own human nature of self-serving would not suffice! He had to put aside his own will for the will of his God.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. John 6:38
So it is God’s nature working in him to be obedient, to serve, to suffer unto death. This is how he ‘made himself nothing’. It was not about Jesus being Savior on his own, with his own nature, but by allowing God working in him to accomplish that which was necessary. This same nature and presence of God is within believers, but only via the deposit of His spirit.
What is the structure and material substance of Jesus the servant?
The NT tells us unequivocally that he was a man sent by God - instructed and inspired by God, empowered and equipped by God. This man, being holy and without sin, was the closest man to God since Adam. Indeed, Jesus is the last Adam (1Cor 15:45). This intimate closeness, unhindered by sin and deception, allowed Jesus to accept his role and submit with total trust in God's plan for him.
His substance is like any other man - yet without sin. Sin alters a man irreparably! Sin separates us from God - being banished from the 'Tree of Life' signifies this terrible separation. So Jesus' nature and substance is, while the same as ours, untainted by sin and the associated trappings which allows a true servant heart to flourish and persist when all others would fail. This deeper trust and love relationship with God will be re-enabled in all who choose to accept the offer of salvation and reconciliation in Christ.
Op asked;
"What particular nature made Jesus a servant?"
It would be as child that took on the form of all children.
For because the children shared together in flesh and blood, he also shared in these things in the same form, Hebrews 2:14
From the very moment Jesus was born out of the womb God did something special to one baby. God was there putting trust inside this baby to trust in God from the moment he was nursing at his mothers breast.
As a boy this trust in God continued. A child is very much like a servant to his parents under their authority. It is in this nature of a child trusting his Father. (This is not some thing Adam and Eve were not able to do when they were in the garden of Eden. Trust in God's word it is not evident.)
9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Psalm 22:9,10
It's interesting the word for servant used is Matthew 12:18 #3816. pais meaning child, boy, under strict training to reach their highest destiny.
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. Matthew 12:18
So being in this form of a servant was being born like any other baby.
He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7
That trust in God continued throughout his life, all the way to the cross. It was God's intention to set men free death by destroying the one who had the power of death. It was through the Son of God who also became in the form of the son of man, He was always obedient to the Father's will as the Son who always trusted in Him. A true servant of His Father's will.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:14
The nature of a servant is humility. The form of a servant is humble.
This is what makes a servant obedient, in that he doesn’t exalt himself. A servant serves and service does not come naturally to someone who is proud, but does to done or who submits and humbled themselves under the authority of another.
Isaiah 7:15 says he will learn to choose this life of obedience.
Phi2:8 says he humbled himself and became obedient.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
Humility which is demonstrated in obedience and consequently in faithful action rather than slothfulness
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” Colossians 3:22
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,” 1 Peter 5:6
“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”” Luke 17:10
Without humility it’s impossible to serve, for only but submitting, lowering and humbling oneself can one get under a yoke.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
NIV has a footnote saying "the very nature of a servant", can be read as "the form of a servant". To understand the meaning, it needs to read verses 6-8 together.
Paul was saying "Jesus is God" (vv6a). But He chose to restrict His power as God (did not consider equality with God - vv6b), took the form of a human being (the form (very nature) of a servant, being made in human likeness - vv7), humbled himself and died on the cross according to God's will (vv8)
Paul chose the word "servant", probably came from Jesus self-description in Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I would say to be more precise, Jesus himself is God, He is not serving God but to obey His Father. He came to serve us, bring us His salvation.
Taking the form of a servant is an exchange of nature. He exchanged the essence of God for the essence of man. Spirit clothes itself with flesh, John 1:1-2, Hebrews 2:14 and 10:5-10. This is much more than just a transformation from spirit to flesh. Every attribute that defined him as God was either be submitted to limitations or subjected to vulnerability. Omnipotence yielded itself to dependency. The all-sufficient one now became fully dependent, Isaiah 12, John 5:30 and Matthew 4:1-10. He became subject to all of the same sets of determined relations that are part of all human existence. Omniscience gaves way to revelation. He had to learn God’s will as a man and submit to it, Hebrews 10:7, Deuteronomy 18:18-19, John 12:49-50 and 17-4. Omnipresence confined itself to the limitations of time and space. His Eternal nature was surrendered for mortality – he became subject to death. The transcendent One became an equal among his fleshly brethren, Hebrews 2:17. The unified One became the cursed of God, Mark 15:34, Galatians 3:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. The unchanging One became subject to change. He not only changed form but his fleshly form would also be subject to all of the changes of natural biological processes.
In keeping with the posture of a servant / slave, Paul says that he did nothing through selfishness; that he did not seek his own glory but regarded others as more important than himself. He placed the needs of others above his own. He emptied himself. The servant reserves nothing of himself. He stands stripped of all personal will. All became completely subjected. This was total surrender of control. Now, he was in the likeness of man. In the beginning, this God created man in his own image, according to his own likeness. Now, this same God steps out of eternity into time to be made in the image of his creation - man. The Creator becomes the creature. The Lord of all becomes the servant of all. The Governor of the universe becomes subordinate to another and all of this by his own will.
