Philippians 2:5-8

For learning purposes, I will use “God” in this note. I just don't get how so many can't grasp Philippians 2:5-8. We should all understand that Yahweh alone is "God", scripture says so. Yahweh is the Father, scripture says so. Yahweh will escalate a son of David, to be an eternal king in the world to come, scripture says so. Messiah is not the Father, nor Yahweh, scripture says so. Messiah is the chief servant to Yahweh, but a servant none the less, scripture says so. Messiah's job was to bring us to the Father THROUGH him, being heirs WITH him, scripture again says so. Let's look at Philippians 2:5-8, but with more detail.

Php 2:1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

Php 2:2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, one in being and of purpose,

Php 2:3 doing none at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Php 2:4 Each one should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Php 2:5 For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע,

Note that Paul is instructing on how they should be, he is now pointing to Messiah and how they can have the same mind. So why would Paul then go on to point out ways they could never be like him?

He didn't, he pointed out how they could be exactly like him, that was the whole point of what he was saying.

Php 2:6 who, being in the form of Elohim,

>>>>>did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped, <<<<<<<<

Note how this reads much different from some bibles, this has proven to be a much better translation, Even so all translations agree that he was in the form of Elohim, the word there is morphē

G3444 μορφή morphē mor-fay' Perhaps from the base of G3313 (through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively nature: - form.

Note it did not say being "God", but instead, being in the form of "God", and in Php 2:7 we see him in the form of a servant. Both FORMS are only in appearance, he is not Yahweh, but the Messiah whom Yahweh sent, and not our servant, but our King. We only find this word one more time in the NT, and that's in Mar 16:12 when Messiah comes in another form / outward appearance.

Also we can look to the Septuagint and see that it is used 8 times, mainly as dealing with appearance.

LXX translation
Jdg 8:18 And he said to Zebee and Salmana, Where are the men whom ye slew in Thabor? and they said, As thou, so were they, according to the likeness/appearance of the son of a king.

Compare that to tô'ar found in the Hebrew. H8389 תּאר tô'ar to'-ar From H8388; outline, that is, figure or appearance: - + beautiful, X comely, countenance, + fair, X favoured, form, X goodly, X resemble, visage.

Job 4:16 I arose and perceived it not: I looked, and there, was no form/appearance before my eyes: but I only heard a breath and a voice, saying,

And

Dan 4:33 At the same time my reason returned to me, and I came to the honor of my kingdom; and my natural form/appearance returned to me, and my princes, and my nobles, sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and more abundant majesty was added to me.

Compare to the Hebrew found there H2122 זיו zı̂yv zeev (Chaldee); corresponding to H2099; (figuratively) cheerfulness: - brightness, countenance.

You will also find the rest of the uses to be the replacement of H2122 in the following verses, Dan:5:6, Dan:5:9, Dan:5:10, and Dan:7:28.

So in Php 2:6& and now adding 7, we see Messiah, outward reflection of his authority, and his humbleness.

Php 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men.

On likeness of men, see Rom 8:3 For the Torah being powerless, in that it was weak through the flesh, Elohim, having His own Son in the likeness of flesh of sin, and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh,

Php 2:8 And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake.

We can do all of that.

Php 2:9 Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name,

Php 2:10 that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Let's review that for a better understanding, what will we all bow to? Messiah's name, not him, but his name. And what is it with this name that he has? It was given to him buy Yahweh, and,,,,,, it is the greatest name given among men, So let's look at that name, יהושע /Yahushua. The name means Yahweh is salvation. It is this that leads us to the next verse

Php 2:11 and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father.
But looking at Php 2:9 we too can receive this reward.
Eph 3:14-15

All will bow to Yahweh being our salvation through his chosen son. Paul then raps up this thought with the second half of be as the Master.

Php 2:12 So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling,

Php 2:13 for it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.

Php 2:14 Do all matters without grumblings and disputings,

Php 2:15 in order that you be blameless and faultless, children of Elohim without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

And so on

We all need to know Yahweh as well as we THINK we know Messiah. When you do that you will see that Messiah as your "God" in any Fashion is wrong and dangerous thinking.
Messiah is elohim, and amoung men, there is no greater elohim, but then there is the Father Yahweh, who is THE Elohim.
May Yahweh bless.