Kenosis

Christ "emptied Himself" (Philippians 2:7)

NPN2-10D - Ambrose, Dogmatic Treatises of St Ambrose, Exposition on the Christian Faith, Book 3, Ch.14, Pt. 121

120. Nor has it escaped us, that in another place also, setting forth the frailties of man's estate, in order to show that He had taken upon Himself the infirmity of the flesh, and the affections of our minds, the Lord said, by the mouth of His prophet: "Remember, O Lord, what My substance is,"(7) because it was the Son of God speaking in the nature of human frailty.(8)

121. Of Him the Scripture saith, in the passage cited,(9) in order to discover the mysteries of the Incarnation: "But Thou hast rejected, O Lord, and counted for nought--Thou hast cast out Thy Christ.(10) Thou hast overthrown the covenant made with Thy Servant, and trampled His holiness in the earth."(11) What was it, in regard whereof the Scripture called Him "Servant," but His flesh?--seeing that "He did not hold equality with God as a prey, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made into the likeness of men, and found in fashion as a man."(1) So, then, in that He took upon Himself My nature, He was a servant, but by virtue of His own power He is the Lord.

122. Furthermore, what meaneth it that thou readest: "Who hath stood in the truth (substantia) of the Lord?" and again: "Now if they had stood in My truth, and had given ear to My words, and had taught My people, I would have turned them from their follies and transgressions"?(2)