Philippians 2 states that Jesus was in the "form" of God - and then took on himself the 'form' of a servant. What does 'form' mean?

W. Robertson Nicoll: "In LXX morphe denotes the form, the appearance, look or likeness of someone, that by which those beholding him would judge him." (Epos. Gr. Test., III, p. 435).

M. R. Vincent: "This form, not being identical with the divine essence, but dependent upon it, and necessarily implying it, can be parted with or laid aside. Since Christ is one with God, and therefore pure being, absolute existence, He can exist without the form. This form of God Christ laid aside in His incarnation." (Word Studies, p. 878.)

H. A. W. Meyer: "Morphe, therefore, which is an appropriate concrete expression for the divine doxa ..., as the glory visible at the throne of God..." (Crit. and Exeget. Handbook, VIII, p. 67).

Henry Thayer: "Morphe... the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; the external appearance..." (Phil. 2:6) "who, although (formerly when he was logos asarkos) he bore the form (in which he appeared to the inhabitants of heaven) of God (the sovereign, opp. to morphe doulou), yet he did not think that this equality with God was to be eagerly clung to or retained...but emptied himself of it... so to assume the form of a servant, in that he became like unto men (for angels also are douloi to Theou, Rev. xix.10; xxii.8 sg.) and was found in fashion as a man." (Gr. Eng. Lex., p. 41).

He then gave up such 'form' and was found in the 'form of a man' - and in order to to this He had to 'consider equality with God' and thing not to be held on to. - He was God manifest in the flesh.

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