OET interlinear PHP 2:7

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ἀλλὰ

but

The word Instead introduces a contrast between the preceding clause in 2:6 and what is expressed about Jesus in this verse and the next two verses. The contrast is made between Jesus’ choice to retain his divine rights and privileges, or to surrender them. Choose the best form in your language to show the contrast that Instead expresses here. Alternate translation: “On the contrary” or “Rather” or “But instead”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

ἀλλὰ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν

but himself emptied

Here, the pronoun he refers to Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, consider the best way to express the meaning of he to show that it refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “Instead, Jesus emptied himself”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν

himself emptied

Here, the reflexive pronoun himself refers to Jesus and is used to emphasize the fact that Jesus freely and intentionally chose to empty himself of divine rights and privileges. Consider the best way to express the emphatic element of this pronoun in your language. Alternate translation: “he willingly set aside divine privileges”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν

himself emptied

Here, Paul statement that Christ emptied himself is figurative, and not literal. By using the figurative phrase he emptied himself, Paul is vividly expressing that Christ chose to give up his divine rights and privileges when he became human. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture, or use plain language. Alternate translation: “he gave up divine rights and privileges” or “he willingly set aside divine privileges”

μορφὴν δούλου λαβών

/the/_form ˱of˲_/a/_slave /having/_taken

The phrase, having taken the form of a servant, means that Jesus acted as a servant while on earth. It does not mean that Jesus simply appeared to be a servant. If it would be helpful in your language, consider using an equivalent expression from your language, or state this in plain language. Alternative translation, “and acted as a servant”

ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος

in /the/_likeness ˱of˲_humans /having/_become

The phrase having been born in the likeness of men means that Jesus became a human being. It does not mean that Jesus only appeared to be human. Rather, it means that Jesus, who always existed as God, chose to take on a human body and appear on earth in human form. If it would be helpful in your language, consider saying this in plain language. Alternate translation: “having become a human being”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων

in /the/_likeness ˱of˲_humans

Here, the word men is emphasizing the idea of Jesus’ humanity rather than his gender. The word men is plural in form to emphasize the idea that Jesus resembled humanity in general. Consider the best way in your language to express this emphasis on Jesus’ humanity. Alternate translation: “in the likeness of human beings”

καὶ σχήματι εὑρεθεὶς ὡς ἄνθρωπος

and ˱in˲_form /having_been/_found as /a/_human

The phrase having been found in appearance as a man does not mean that Jesus appeared to be a man but was not a man. Rather, this phrase continues the thought of the previous phrase, having been born in the likeness of men, and means that Jesus became a human being and therefore was fully human in appearance. The phrase, in appearance, points out that Jesus appeared in all ways to be fully human. It also indicates that while being fully human, Jesus was distinct from the rest of humanity: He retained his full deity while being human and, therefore, he was both human and divine at the same time. Alternate translation: “and while being found in the form of a human being”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἄνθρωπος

/a/_human

Here the word man is emphasizing the idea of Jesus’ humanity rather than his gender. If your language has a way of expressing this emphasis on Jesus’ humanity, consider using the term that would most clearly express this. See how you translated the word men earlier in this verse. Alternate translation: “a human being”