Is Christ still in the form of God in Philippians 2:7-8?

Question

Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV)

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

ΠΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΗΣΙΟΥΣ 2:6-81881 Westcott-Hort New Testament (WHNU)

6 ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω

7 αλλα εαυτον εκενωσεν μορφην δουλου λαβων εν ομοιωματι ανθρωπων γενομενος και σχηματι ευρεθεις ως ανθρωπος

8 εταπεινωσεν εαυτον γενομενος υπηκοος μεχρι θανατου θανατου δε σταυρου

I interpret Philippians 2:6 as Christ already existing in the form of God and Philippians 2:7 as Christ taking the form of a slave which means that he was in God's form prior to taking a slave's form. As one who accepts the Chalcedon Creed, I interpret Philippians 2:7-8 to mean that Christ merely added the form of a slave to his preexisting divine form. In other words, Jesus Christ has dual form - God and slave - when he was on earth. Does the text support this understanding?

Is Christ seen as still having the form of God in Philippians 2:7-8?

Answer 1

Is Christ still in the form of God in Philippians 2:7-8 ?

Given His Transfiguration, celebrated only ten days ago, and described in Matthew 17:1-2 and Mark 9:2-3, it would seem that Christ merely veiled His true nature during His kenosis, rather than outright abandoning it. Though not personally present at the event, Paul, the author of Philippians, had quite a similar experience on his famous road to Damascus (Acts 9:3, 22:6). It is not unlikely that the two Apostles may have shared their common experience of the glorified Christ during their sojourning together for two weeks, as mentioned in Galatians 1:18. So, all in all, I personally would ultimately answer your question as to whether the text supports this understanding in the affirmative.

Answer 2

"Is Christ seen as still having . . . ?"

The form, morphe, or nature, of Deity is everlasting. Thus it is never changed or disposed of.

If another form be taken, then that other form must be in addition to the form Deity.

My understanding of the term "Union of two natures" which is spoken of by many is that the two natures : Divine and human : do not merge or coalesce, for they cannot.

But I understand - and believe - that they are united. But only united in the Person of Jesus Christ. Where - only - they meet together in such a way.

In the one Mediator between God and humanity.

Answer 3

It is precisely as stated in Philippians 2:6, “he did not grasp at equality with God”. Yet, strangely enough, this is precisely what trinitarians do on Jesus’ behalf! They insist on imposing on him that which he himself rejected!

Answer 4

This passage of Philippians is completely incompatible with the "Chalcedonion Creed," the "Creed of Athanasius" and the dogma of the Trinity altogether and the question raised is inappropriate for a site purporting to be exegetical and inductive. I move to move it to "Christianity.SE", or better yet, consign it to the bit-bucket.