This has to do with the idea that Jesus had to give up some of his divine attributes while he was on earth (cf. Phil. 2:5-7). The thinking behind this is because he took on the attributes of a human. It is viewed as a voluntary self-limitation of Christ’s part and was necessary for him to fulfill his work of redemption.
It must be first understood that in the first 1800 years of church history thought “emptied himself” meant the Son of God gave up some of his divine attributes in the act of “took on the form of a servant.” Thus, emptying is more like humbling in taking on his lowly status and position as a human being.
Paul’s purpose with this comment to the church at Philippi is to persuade them to be more humble and put the interests of others before their own by holding up the example of Christ Jesus. In holding him as an example, he wants the Philippian Christians to imitate Christ. It fits the context to understand he is using Christ as the supreme example.
In the larger context of the NT, if it were true that such an momentus event happened – that for a time the eternal Son of God ceased to have the same attributes as God those of omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, one would expect it to be mentioned and taught repeatedly. But it is not directly addressed anywhere. If the kenosis theory were true, we could no longer affirm Jesus as fully God while here on earth. It is important to recognize a major force in persuading people to accept the kenosis theory is not a better understanding of Philippians 2:7 or anything else in the NT, it is discomfort some people have with the portrayal of Christ by historical, classical orthdoxy. It seems unscientific that Jesus could be fully human and fully divine at the same time.
First Pres Joliet 
June 11, 2024 at 6:02 am
C.R. So what is the word Kenosis? Is it a theological word/concept, or is it a man’s name who wrote his theory on this scripture?
There are many concepts in scripture concerning our relationship with the divine that are hard to understand, such as the immortal becoming mortal, the holy becoming sin, the mix between human and divine, spiritual and flesh, and the explanation seems to require more than the words, ‘it stands to reason’.
This Pauline statement ‘Emptied Himself’, in Philippians is weightier than 300 words can reveal.
Karl
June 11, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Karl, the dictionary definition for “kenosis” is transcending or detached. The issue is human logic that is unable to grasp how one person could be “fully human and fully divine.” I must say I don’t understand how it is possible either. In that sense, I’m part of kenosis. But I do understand under the auspices of atonement, why it is necessary for Jesus to be even at the present hour “fully human and fully divine. My lack of understanding of exactly why something works has never stopped me from the employment of items or persons to do a job that is necessary. Craig