To 'empty Himself' means Jesus voluntarily relinquished the privileges of His divine nature to serve humanity.
The term 'emptied Himself', found in Philippians 2:7, captures the essence of Jesus' humility and self-sacrifice. This 'kenosis' reflects how He consciously chose to set aside the glories and privileges of His divine nature to assume human form and fulfill the mission of redemption. Importantly, this does not imply that He ceased to be God; it emphasizes His willingness to embrace the limitations of humanity in order to model true servanthood. This act of self-emptying invites believers to emulate Christ by prioritizing the needs of others above their own, laying down any claims to power or advantage in favor of love and service.
Scripture References:
Philippians 2:7, Matthew 20:28
Commentary