WLC 46

Q46. What was the estate of Christ's humiliation?

The estate of Christ's humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.

Proof texts

• Phil. 2:6-8 — [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
• Luke 1:31 — [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
• 2 Cor. 8:9 — [9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
• Acts 2:24 — [24] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Phil. 2:6-8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 8.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q21 · WCF 8.1 · HC Q29 · HC Q37 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · CD 2.1 · 1689 8.1