Philippians 2:6: Existence and being

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That simple English word "is" has many meanings - more than in, say, Greek.

The English meaning of "is" can be relating two things such as "a" is "b" for equality which is different than "a" is a "b" as in a subset. Greek requires the word for "equal" if "a" and "b" are "equal" and that "equal" cannot be inferred from context. (future topic) For time it may involve a before and after.

The meaning of "is" can be that "a" exists without anything with which to compare it to for some sense of equality. Greek has a separate word for this idea. When this word is used in the GNT (Greek New Testament), preaching a sermon on "is" using the English meaning of "equals" can result in a changed meaning.

More: Existence is not is existence

Paul uses the Greek word for "citizenship" twice in Philippians. In the first verse, the "is" or "be" is inferred and not explicitly in the Greek.

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: … [kjv]

μονον αξιως του ευαγγελιου του χριστου πολιτευεσθε ινα ειτε ελθων και ιδων υμας ειτε απων ακουω τα περι υμων οτι στηκετε εν ενι πνευματι μια ψυχη συναθλουντες τη πιστει του ευαγγελιου [gnt]

3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]

ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

In the second verse, that citizenship "exists" in heaven.

More: Existence is not is existence

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]

ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]

ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

Here we look at the other place in Philippians where Paul uses the Greek word for "existence". I the same verse, Paul uses the Greek word for "is" with a qualification of "equals" - necessary if in the context that equality is not obvious.

Philippians 2:6

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KJV: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Greek: ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω

The ancient Greek word "ἴσως" ≈ "equal, probably, perhaps, maybe" (appears once in the GNT, below) which comes from
the ancient Greek word "ἴσος" ≈ "equal to".

The neuter plural is «τὰ ἴσα». It is not clear why the neuter plural is used by Paul in this verse.

The ancient Greek phrase "ἴσα πρὸς ἴσα" ≈ "tit for tat". The game theory strategy of "tit for tat" appears often in practice (in good ways and not so good ways).

Details are left as a future topic.

*G2470 *8 ἴσος (ee'-sos) : probably from G1492 (through the idea of seeming); similar (in amount and kind):--+ agree, as much, equal, like.

Usage

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ισα *3

Luke 6:34 ... to sinners, to receive as much again.
Philippians 2:6 ... not robbery to be equal with God:
Revelation 21:16 ... the height of it are equal.

ισους

Matthew 20:12 ... and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden ...

ισαι

Mark 14:56 ... their witness agreed not together.

ιση

Mark 14:59 ... their witness agree together.

ισον

John 5:18 ... Father, making himself equal with God.

ισην

Acts 11:17 ... God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, ...

Words: ισα=3 ισαι ιση ισην ισον ισους

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]

ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

The second part of the verse is repeated as follows.

... thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

The Greek "equals" with "is" implies that there are two parts (sides) being compared whereas "exists" has only one part (side).

This part appears clear as to implied meaning.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]

ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

The first part of the verse is paraphrased as follows.

Who, existing in the form of God ...

The Greek for "existence" is used when there is nothing else with which to compare this entity. That is, there "exists" only one part (side) whereas "is" has two parts (sides).

Does this make sense with only one part (side)?

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]

ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

Paul uses the same word again in chapter 3.

Our "citizenship" "exists" in heaven.

Philippians 3:20

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KJV: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Greek: ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον

Luke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. [kjv]

ειπεν δε ο κυριος του αμπελωνος τι ποιησω πεμψω τον υιον μου τον αγαπητον ισως τουτον εντραπησονται [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἴσως" ≈ "equal, probably, perhaps, maybe" appears once in the GNT.

Luke 20:13

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KJV: Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

Greek: ειπεν δε ο κυριος του αμπελωνος τι ποιησω πεμψω τον υιον μου τον αγαπητον ισως τουτον ιδοντες εντραπησονται

Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. [kjv]

ισως ακουσεται ο οικος ιουδα παντα τα κακα α εγω λογιζομαι ποιησαι αυτοις ινα αποστρεψωσιν απο οδου αυτων της πονηρας και ιλεως εσομαι ταις αδικιαις αυτων και ταις αμαρτιαις αυτων [lxx]

Jeremiah 36:3

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KJV: It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Hebrew: אולי ישמעו בית יהודה את כל הרעה אשר אנכי חשב לעשות להם למען ישובו איש מדרכו הרעה וסלחתי לעונם ולחטאתם׃

Greek: ισως ακουσεται ο οικος ιουδα παντα τα κακα α εγω λογιζομαι ποιησαι αυτοις ινα αποστρεψωσιν απο οδου αυτων της πονηρας και ιλεως εσομαι ταις αδικιαις αυτων και ταις αμαρτιαις αυτων

Daniel 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. [kjv]

δια τουτο βασιλευ η βουλη μου αρεσατω σοι και τας αμαρτιας σου εν ελεημοσυναις λυτρωσαι και τας αδικιας σου εν οικτιρμοις πενητων ισως εσται μακροθυμος τοις παραπτωμασιν σου ο θεος [lxx]

Daniel 4:27

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KJV: Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

Hebrew: להן מלכא מלכי ישפר עליך וחטיך בצדקה פרק ועויתך במחן ענין הן תהוא ארכה לשלותך׃

Greek: δια τουτο βασιλευ η βουλη μου αρεσατω σοι και τας αμαρτιας σου εν ελεημοσυναις λυτρωσαι και τας αδικιας σου εν οικτιρμοις πενητων ισως εσται μακροθυμος τοις παραπτωμασιν σου ο θεος

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. [kjv]

ειπεν αυτοις ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν πριν αβρααμ γενεσθαι εγω ειμι [gnt]

… ego sum [v]

Jesus gets the religious establishment very upset when he says that "Before Abraham was, I am".

Discuss: How does what Jesus says fit with what Paul says about the "existence" of Jesus in Philippians 2:6?

Details are left as a future topic.

John 8:58

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KJV: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Greek: ειπεν αυτοις ο ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν πριν αβρααμ γενεσθαι εγω ειμι

Latin: dixit eis Iesus amen amen dico vobis antequam Abraham fieret ego sum