Kenoo: to empty, void, or deprive

Reflections from "Practical Theology for Women" by Wendy Horger Alsup

Philippians 2:3-8 (NASB)

³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

This is amazing.

Kenosis is a theological concept found in verse 7, when the NAMB version says He emptied Himself, laid aside His privileges. ESV says "made himself nothing, KJV says "made Himself of no reputation". This word we translate "emptied" is the Greek word kenoo, which means to empty, void, or deprive. To think that Jesus is fully God--He's fully sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing--In coming to earth, Jesus willingly sacrificed those 'rights' to become a man.

This is what He's calling me to, a life of loosing my rights. I find such hope in this knowing that (Hebrews 4:14-16) Jesus passed through the heavens & in coming to earth was tempted in every way, therefore able to sympathize with us. Philippians 2 isn't just a nice illustration or story informing us how Jesus came to earth, but rather a command to think like He thinks! He opened up his hands & willingly let go of His rights as God. THIS is the kind of thinking I'm commanded to have!!

"We are not called to think badly of ourselves. People who think badly of themselves are as self-centered as those who think highly of themselves. Instead, we are called not to think of ourselves at all. As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ--consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own." (page 87)

Not only did Jesus give me an example of how to do this, Holy Spirit teaches me to have the very mind of Christ. He wants to teach me how to let go of my reputation. He wants to teach me to forgive. He urges me to no longer be consumed with protecting my rights. LOVE it!