Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "emptied" in the Bible often refers to the act of making something void or devoid of its contents, significance, or power. This term is particularly significant in theological discussions concerning the nature and work of Jesus Christ, as well as in the broader context of spiritual and moral teachings.
Philippians 2:7One of the most profound uses of the term "emptied" is found in
Philippians 2:7, which describes the incarnation of Jesus Christ: "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." This passage is central to the doctrine of kenosis, derived from the Greek word "kenoo," meaning "to empty." In this context, it signifies Christ's voluntary renunciation of His divine privileges and glory to become fully human while remaining fully divine. This self-emptying is seen as an act of humility and obedience to the will of the Father, emphasizing the sacrificial nature of Christ's mission on earth.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the concept of being emptied is often associated with judgment and desolation. For example, in
Isaiah 24:1, the prophet declares, "Behold, the LORD lays waste to the earth and makes it desolate; He twists its surface and scatters its inhabitants." Here, the imagery of the earth being emptied serves as a metaphor for divine judgment and the consequences of sin. Similarly, in
Jeremiah 48:11, Moab is described as being "at ease from his youth, settled like wine on its dregs, not emptied from vessel to vessel," indicating complacency and impending judgment.
Spiritual and Moral ImplicationsThe theme of being emptied also carries spiritual and moral implications for believers. In the Christian life, the call to self-denial and humility can be seen as a form of self-emptying. Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me," reflects this principle. Believers are encouraged to empty themselves of pride, selfish desires, and worldly attachments to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life that reflects Christ's example.
Application in Christian LivingThe idea of being emptied is not only a theological concept but also a practical one. It challenges Christians to examine their lives and priorities, encouraging them to let go of anything that hinders their relationship with God. This process of spiritual emptying is often seen as a prerequisite for being filled with God's grace and power, enabling believers to serve others and advance the Kingdom of God effectively.
In summary, the concept of "emptied" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the profound theological implications of Christ's incarnation to the practical aspects of Christian discipleship. It serves as a reminder of the humility and sacrifice required to follow Christ and the transformative power of God's work in the lives of believers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Empty.
Greek
2758. kenoo -- to empty... unreal. Cognate: 2758 -- properly, to out, render void; (passive) be
emptied --
hence, , perceived as (Phil 2:7). See 2756 (). Word
...Strong's Hebrew
7386. req -- empty, vain... Word Origin from riq Definition empty, vain NASB Word Usage
emptied (1), empty
(6), foolish ones (1), idle (1), satisfied (1), worthless (4).
...1809. dalal -- to hang, be low, languish
... wistfully (1), thin (1). bring low, dry up, beemptied, be not equal, fail,
be impoverished, be made thin. A primitive root (compare...
950. buqah -- emptiness
... 949, 950. buqah. 951 . emptiness. Transliteration: buqah Phonetic Spelling:
(boo-kaw') Short Definition:emptied. Word Origin from...
6168. arah -- to be naked or bare
... root Definition to be naked or bare NASB Word Usage defenseless* (1),emptied (1),
empty (1), laid bare (2), lay him open (1), leave (1), made naked (1), make...
7385a. riq -- to make empty, empty out
... root Definition to make empty, empty out NASB Word Usage draw (6),emptied (2),
empty (3), emptying (1), keep the unsatisfied (1), led (1), pour (2), purified...
5413. nathak -- to pour forth, be poured out
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to pour forth, be poured out NASB Word Usage
emptied (2), melt (2), melted (3), pour (2), poured (11), rained (1)....
Library
June 6. "HeEmptied Himself" (Phil. Ii. 8, RV ).
... JUNE 6. "Heemptied Himself" (Phil. ii. 8, RV). "Heemptied Himself"
(Philippians 2:8, RV). The first step to the righteousness...
He Shows the Falsehood of Eunomius' Calumnious Charge that the...
... Book V. Section 4. He shows the falsehood of Eunomius' calumnious charge that the
great Basil had said that "man wasemptied to become man," and demonstrates...
Death was Weeping for Her, Even for Sheol, when He Saw Her...
... Hymn XXXVII. Death was weeping for her, even for Sheol, when he saw her
treasury that it wasemptied. 1. Death was weeping for her...
Argument --That the Same Divine Majesty is in Christ, He once More...
... that passage in the apostle: "Who, although He was in the form of God, did not think
it robbery that He should be equal with God; butemptied Himself, taking...
Then Returning to the Words of Peter, "God Made Him Lord and...
... For if it is not of the Word Who was in the beginning and was God that the blessed
Peter speaks, but of Him Who was seen,' and Whoemptied Himself,' as Basil...
He Then Explains the Phrase of S. Peter, "Him God Made Lord and...
... two Christs and two Lords; for he says that it was not the Word Who was in the
beginning Whom God made Lord and Christ, but He Whoemptied Himself to take the...
On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42
... "But Heemptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the... He "emptied
Himself," He "humbled himself." Though He was God, He appeared as man....
July the Fourth Emptying Oneself
... JULY The Fourth EMPTYING ONESELF. "Heemptied Himself." "Philippians
2:1-11. In Mr. Silvester Horne's garden a very suggestive...
Philippians ii. 11-May
... mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted
it not a prize to be on an equality with God; butemptied Himself, taking...
We must Consider the Fact, which Comes First, and So in Order...
... before it was born of Mary, and that it is this soul which "being in the form of
God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, butemptied itself and took...
Thesaurus
Emptied (20 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Emptied (20 Occurrences).
... Philippians 2:7 but
emptied himself,
taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
...Emptier
... the Revised Version (British and American) has "empty" for "vain" (Ephesians 5:6),
"emptied himself" for "made himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7...
Person (807 Occurrences)
... by the King James Version, He "made himself of no reputation"; but quite misleading
by the Revised Version (British and American), He "emptied himself"), but...
Empty (84 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) has "empty" for "vain" (Ephesians 5:6),
"emptied himself" for "made himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7...
Supervisors (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again,
and said, "Your servants haveemptied out the money that was found in the...
Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again,
and said, "Your servants haveemptied out the money that was found in the...
Scribe (55 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again,
and said, "Your servants haveemptied out the money that was found in the...
Lap (12 Occurrences)
... and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that
performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, andemptied" (Nehemiah...
Workmen (52 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again,
and said, "Your servants haveemptied out the money that was found in the...
Jar (45 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 24:20 She hurried, andemptied her pitcher into the trough,
and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels....
Resources
What is the kenosis? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is kenoticism / kenotic theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to deny yourself? What is self-denial? | GotQuestions.orgEmptied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
