Kenosis

Christ "emptied Himself" (Philippians 2:7)

NPN1-14C - Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of St. John, Homily 80, John 17:1, vs. 4

Ver. 4. "I have glorified Thee on the earth." Well said He, "on the earth"; for in heaven He had been already glorified, having His own natural glory, and being worshiped by the Angels. Christ then speaketh not of that glory which is bound up with His(3) Essence, (for that glory, though none glorify Him, He ever possesseth in its fullness,) but of that which cometh from the service of men. And so the, "Glorify Me," is of this kind; and that thou mayest understand that He speaketh of this manner of glory, hear what follows.

"I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me that I should do it."

And yet the action was still but beginning, or rather was not yet beginning. How then said He, "I have finished"? Either He meaneth, that "I have done all My part"; or He speaketh of the future, as having already come to pass; or, which one may say most of all, that all was already effected, because the root of blessings had been laid, which fruits would certainly and necessarily follow, and from His being(4) present at and assisting in those things which should take place after these. On this account He saith again in a condescending way, "Which Thou gavest Me." For had He indeed waited to hear and learn, this would have fallen far short of His glory. For that He came to this s of His own will, is clear from many passages. As when Paul saith, that "He so loved us, as to give Himself for us" (Eph. 5:2); and, "He emptied Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:7); and, "As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you." (c. 15:9.)