Question:- Trinitarians say that because Jesus the Christ was divine and human, His sacrificial death had infinite value, and thus could pay for the sins of everyone. If Christ gave up His deity and His age-enduring life to become human like us (per Philippians 2:7), was His death a sufficient ransom for all simply because He was the only begotten Son of God?
1 John 1:2 (LGV) refers to Christ as the age-enduring life. Is this a reference only to His pre-incarnate state?
1 John: 1:2 (NASB) and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us
Philippians 2:7 (NASB) but emptied (G2758 Kenoo) Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7 (KJV) But made himself “of no reputation”, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Please notice how the KJV has hidden the real meaning behind Greek word “Kenoo” by using “of no reputation” which is not the actual meaning of the word “Kenoo” in Greek. It means emptied or void which is what most modern translation use. Please see below for Strongs entry and the 4 other scriptures that use this word. Due to the fact that the KJV was the main English bible for over 360 years, you can see how tradition has impacted our proper understanding of what that scripture is really saying.
When a glass of water is emptied it has no water in it any more. None! If we relate water to spirit like the bible does then the analogy make sense. Paul could have used any other word(s) to make it clear what he wanted to say, but he did not.
Answer:- The sacrifice for sin had to be human not divine in any form. The shedding of blood is not possible for a divine Being who is immortal and has no blood. On the other hand, a mere human (one of God’s billions of creatures) could not be the sacrifice for sin, because in that case God Himself could not take upon Himself any of the consequences of our sin.
“Kenosis” is the solution to this problem. God begat a Son, the “only-begotten of the Father,” who was His apprentice in creation, His Agent in communicating with man, the Son He has been grooming to become “King of kings and Lord of lords.” This is the “only-begotten Son” whom God gave to become flesh and die, because “God so loved the world.” The same “Son of God” was the Agent through whom God created all things (Colossians 1:15-17) is the Son of God through whom He is reconciling all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20).
In this model of redemption God takes upon Himself the anguish and responsibility of the atonement by doing what He asked Abraham to do — “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2 NKJ). It is important to understand that Abraham’s sacrifice was to be at least as great as Isaac’s sacrifice. This is THE model of the redemption of man.
Unfortunately, Trinitarianism, Unitarianism, Modalism, and Arianism all greatly diminish God’s own sacrifice which demonstrates the extent of His love for humanity. Consequently, all of these diminish the Gospel which (in its unpolluted form) “is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes.”
In 1 John 1:2 the Son was called “the age-enduring Life” because He was the first “Life” apart from God (immortal), and He is the one through whom we will receive immortality. After becoming mortal man and after dying to make atonement for us, He was raised to immortality as the prototype for what God will do for us also in the resurrection.
Definition and Origin of the Term Kenosis
The term “kenosis” comes from the Greek word κένωσις (kenōsis), which literally means “emptying.” This concept appears in Philippians 2:7, where it says Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” While the word “kenosis” itself does not appear frequently in Scripture, its theology stems from this foundational passage and relates directly to how Jesus, who was what we call deity before he was sent by His Father and was born via Mary, assumed a human nature and chose to set aside all privileges in order to serve humanity and accomplish redemption.
However, in the mind of most Christians who have been influenced by Greek philosophical thinking they believe that Jesus set aside certain attributes and abilities to become a man, but not all and thus he did not empty himself. However, this is not supported at all in scripture nor by the meaning of the word Kenoo.
Again and again, Jesus points to his Father as God alone and Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man and the “Man” who is the mediator between God and all men and women. 1 Timothy 2:5. Furthermore that would make God dishonest by making it look like Jesus was completely man, when he actually was not. How could Jesus then be our substitute and stand in our place. Remember Jesus said when asked about when he was coming back and the end of the age. He said he did not know but only his Father. This is just one example among many that shows that Jesus was completely human.
Strongs G2758
κενόω kenóō, ken-o’-o; from G2756; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify:—make (of none effect, of no reputation, void), be in vain.
There are only 5 places in the bible where kenoo is used and its meaning is very clear.
Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
2 Corinthians 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
and finally Philippians 2:7 as above.
Living as a Christian in this World 