What does kenosis mean in Christian theology?

Definition and Origin of the Term

The term “kenosis” comes from the Greek word κένωσις (kenōsis), which literally means “emptying.” This concept appears in Philippians 2:7, where it says Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” While the word “kenosis” itself does not appear frequently in Scripture, its theology stems from this foundational passage and relates directly to how Jesus, who is fully God, assumed a human nature and chose to set aside certain privileges in order to serve humanity and accomplish redemption.

The idea of “emptying” has often caused discussion among theologians: precisely what did the Son of God relinquish or set aside in the incarnation? The consensus among orthodox teaching is that the Lord did not lose His divine attributes, but rather willingly refrained from exercising certain divine rights and privileges to fulfill the plan of salvation.

Biblical Foundations

The major textual basis for kenosis is Philippians 2:5–7:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

The passage underscores Christ’s eternal deity (“existing in the form of God”) and subsequent act of voluntary self-emptying to become truly human while remaining truly God. Early and reliable manuscripts, including papyri such as P46 (dating as early as the late second century or early third century), attest to the consistency of this passage, reinforcing its importance in understanding Christ’s incarnation.

Context in Philippians 2

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians frames kenosis in a call for humility and unity among believers. The apostle Paul illustrates the self-giving mindset of Christ as a model for the Christian life. The context clarifies that Jesus did not abandon His deity. Rather, He exhibited profound humility in setting aside the independent use of certain divine privileges.

Within Philippians 2, the broader argument emphasizes sacrificial service: Christ’s choices lead Him from the highest position (“equality with God”) to the deepest form of servanthood (“taking the form of a servant”), culminating in His obedience “to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Following this obedience, God exalts Him (Philippians 2:9) as a direct demonstration of the victory of servanthood and humility.

Interpretations and Theological Controversies

1. Orthodox View (Hypostatic Union)

The Chalcedonian Definition (AD 451) affirmed that Christ is fully God and fully man in one Person. From this perspective, kenosis indicates that Jesus never ceased being God; instead, He added genuine humanity to His divine nature. In this union, the divine and human natures are distinct yet unconfused, preserving all attributes of deity while experiencing authentic human limitations.

2. Radical Kenotic Theories

Some 19th-century and later scholars proposed that Christ abandoned certain divine attributes—such as omniscience or omnipotence—during His earthly ministry. This view has been widely critiqued for potentially undermining Christ’s full deity. In contrast, mainstream biblical teaching holds that Jesus remained the eternal Son of God, consistently exercising divine power in accordance with the Father’s will, yet often limiting its expression to accomplish His earthly mission perfectly.

3. Practical Implications

While the theological focus highlights the nature of Christ, the practical outworking is humility. Paul cites Christ’s example as the prime pattern of self-sacrifice. Christians are encouraged to “have the same mindset” (Philippians 2:5), prioritizing service to others above personal status.

Kenosis and the Incarnation

Kenosis connects intimately to John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Jesus fully identified with humanity, experiencing its frailties without losing His divine identity. Although He continued to possess attributes such as omnipotence and omnipresence, He submitted these attributes to the Father’s plan.

Historical church creeds, biblical manuscripts, and patristic writings (e.g., those of early Church Fathers like Athanasius) affirm that Christ’s deity remained intact. This conviction is crucial to maintain the biblical teaching that Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, able to lay down His life for the sins of the world, and mighty enough to rise from the dead, thus vanquishing sin and death.

Impact on Understanding Salvation

Kenosis demonstrates the depth of God’s love and commitment to rescue humanity. In laying aside the full exercise of His divine rights, Jesus stepped into human history as both fully God and fully human in order to redeem. Because of this, believers profess that the self-emptying of Christ is not only a theological stance but the core of salvation: only the eternal, unblemished Son of God could take on human form, die for sin, and then conquer the grave.

Practical Outworking and Spiritual Formation

1. Humility: Believers see in Christ’s kenosis a transformative image of humility. Rather than clinging to personal advantage, Christians are called to self-sacrificial love and service.

2. Obedience: The incarnation led Christ to perfect obedience to the Father. Believers likewise follow this pattern, surrendering personal desires in favor of God’s will.

3. Worship: Kenosis elicits a response of worship, as it speaks to the astonishing lengths God has gone to demonstrate His grace.

Historical Affirmation and Manuscript Evidence

Numerous New Testament manuscripts, including early papyri like P46, uniformly carry the teaching of Philippians 2:5–7 as it appears in modern translations. These ancient documents underscore the historical continuity and reliability of Paul’s teaching about Christ’s divine nature and self-emptying. Archeological discoveries of early church meeting sites and inscriptions further confirm that worship of Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:11) was a core belief among first-century congregations.

Conclusion

Kenosis refers to Christ’s self-emptying in His incarnation, a crucial theological concept illustrating how the eternal Son of God humbled Himself to take on humanity while preserving His full divinity. It underscores the mystery of the incarnation—maintaining that Jesus is both truly God and truly man—and lifts up Christ’s humility as a model for all who follow Him.

At its core, kenosis serves as a profound testimony to the depths of God’s mercy. By willingly setting aside the full exercise of divine privileges, Christ offered the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sin and demonstrated how believers should live in humble, obedient service.