κενόω

From the study of Philippians 2:7

Range of meaning

Literally 'to make empty', as with a vessel. Figuratively it means to make something void, of no effect or of no account, or to deprive it of its power or standing. In Paul's other uses it is always figurative: faith 'made void' (Romans 4:14), the cross 'emptied of its power' (1 Corinthians 1:17), a boast 'made empty' (1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 9:3). BDAG lists both senses ('make empty' and 'make of no effect / deprive of power') and treats this verse as Christ divesting himself of his standing.

Against the English

'Emptied himself' (ESV, NASB, NRSV, BSB, WEB) keeps the literal image but invites the question 'emptied of what?' 'Made himself nothing' (NIV) gives the figurative sense. 'Made himself of no reputation' (KJV, following Tyndale) reads it as loss of standing. 'Gave up his divine privileges' (NLT) supplies an object that the Greek does not have.

How it drifted

From the 1850s, German theologians (Gottfried Thomasius and others), and later British ones (Charles Gore, from 1889), built a 'kenotic' Christology (kenosis = 'emptying') around this verb. In it the Son gave up some divine attributes such as omniscience or omnipotence. Through preaching, 'emptied himself' came to be heard as 'emptied himself of his deity or powers'. The Greek verb does not say that by itself.

Used elsewhere in the period

The verb is rare in the Greek Old Testament. It is used of a city or mother 'emptied out' and languishing (Jeremiah 14:2; 15:9). The compound ἐκκενόω is used of Rebekah emptying her jar into the trough (Genesis 24:20). In everyday Koine it can mean emptying a container. Early Christian readers usually took the verse as self-humbling without loss of deity. Gregory of Nazianzus put it this way: 'What he was he remained; what he was not he assumed' (Oration 29.19).

From the study of 1 Corinthians 1:17

Range of meaning

To empty, make empty; by extension to make void, invalid or ineffective, to deprive of content or force.

Against the English

KJV 'made of none effect' and WEB 'made void' stress loss of effect. BSB/NIV/ESV 'emptied of its power' adds 'power' (anticipating v. 18) but keeps the emptying picture. The literal image is a vessel drained of what it holds.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint Jer 15:9: the mother of seven 'was emptied' (ekenōthē), left desolate. Paul's other uses: Rom 4:14 (faith 'made empty'); 1 Cor 9:15 and 2 Cor 9:3 (a boast 'made empty'); Phil 2:7 (Christ 'emptied himself').

From the study of 1 Corinthians 9:15

Range of meaning

To empty, to strip of content, to make void, invalid or of no effect, to render hollow.

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'make void', BSB 'nullify', and the 'deprive me of' wording in several modern versions. 'Deprive' suggests theft from outside. 'Empty' suggests that something real gets hollowed out until nothing is left.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses it in 1 Cor 1:17 (lest 'the cross of Christ be emptied'), Rom 4:14 ('faith is made empty'), 2 Cor 9:3 (lest 'our boast about you be made empty'), and famously Phil 2:7 (Christ 'emptied himself'). In Jer 14:2 and 15:9 (LXX) it describes being emptied or brought low.