Secondly, the term “emptied” is always used by Paul in a metaphorical sense. The term is used in such places as Romans 4:14, where Paul says, “For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void (literally, “emptied”) and the promise is nullified.” Paul is not talking about a literal “emptying” of faith, but a metaphorical “making empty,” i.e., making void.[6] So it is here. The King James Version does an excellent job by rendering it “made himself of no reputation.” Paul is not saying Jesus ceased to be God, or in any other way stopped being equal with the Father, but that He
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