Ph 2:6 in Ray's paper

[TimothyVI]

In Rays paper " Is God A Closed Trinity" Ray uses Ph 2:6 to prove that
jesus did not consider it stealing from God to be equal to God.

"Is Christ God? YES HE IS!

"Yet to the Son [this is GOD speaking]: 'Thy throne, O GOD, is for the eon of the eon..." (Heb. 1:.

And also:

Who [Jesus], being inherently in the form of God, deems it not pillaging [taking by force or plundering] to be EQUAL WITH GOD" (Phil. 2:6)."

What do you think about the other translations of Phil 2:6?
Phil 2:6     who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, NLT

Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature* God,did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, NIV


This translation makes it seem as if Jesus did not even think that being equal with God was anything that He wanted to try to achieve. Not that He thought that He was equal to God but that He was not plundering because God gave Him that right.

Tim

[Pax Vobiscum]

The exact nature of Jesus' relationship with the Father is still up for grabs --why are there hundreds of "believers'" denominations out there if the answer were clear (there's that darned subjunctive again -- but that's a different post!).

This puzzled even the earliest believers:  Jesus is all man -- Jesus is all God -- Jesus is all Man AND all God -- Jesus was adopted (today I have begotten you) into the Godhead for a time.

If the ancients were confused.......

Peace

[TRUTHSEEKER]

Hello TimothyVI,

I think that both verses that you gave from the different translations are saying the same thing.  Also, I believe that you are right in your assertations of Christ perception of himself in comparison to God.  Jesus was and is fully aware of who and what he is because his Father gave him freely all that he has and made him all that he is. 


Truthseeker

[Kat]

Hi Tim,

This translation makes this clearer to me. 
It is not saying about being equal with the Father,
but is saying that He would leave what He had with the Father to come to earth.

(CEV)
Phi 2:6  Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.
Phi 2:7  Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.

If you see what is being said here is Jesus did not remain with the Father.
But was willing to give up (empty Himself) all the glory He had with the Father to be born a man.
That's the way I see this verse.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat