The Kenosis:
Jesus Lowered Himself
(Phil. 2)

Editor's Note: Christ emptied himself. He gave up his heavenly throne to enter into human existence, life, temptation, and suffering, out of love for and faithfulness to the Father and humankind.  Historically, this is referred to as the Kenosis (from the Greek root, kenoo). In chapter 2 of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians,  Paul articulates the Kenosis most clearly. 

Phil. 2

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.