Grasp
The Key Passage: Philippians 2:6
The most theologically significant use of the concept of grasping in the Bible appears in Philippians 2:6, where Paul writes that Christ Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." The Greek word here is harpagmos, and its precise meaning has been debated by scholars for centuries. Various English translations render it differently: "robbery" (KJV), "a prize" (some revisions), and "a thing to be grasped" (ESV, NASB). Each translation captures a different shade of meaning, but all point to the same remarkable truth about Christ's character.
What Christ Did Not Grasp
The point Paul is making is not about whether Christ possessed equality with God. Rather, it is about what Christ chose to do with that equality. Unlike Adam, who grasped at being "like God" in the garden (Genesis 3:5), Christ did not cling to His divine prerogatives for His own advantage. He willingly set aside the visible display of His glory and took on the form of a servant, being born in human likeness (Philippians 2:7). This was not a loss of deity but a voluntary veiling of divine glory for the sake of redemption.
The Contrast with Human Grasping
Scripture is filled with examples of destructive grasping. Adam and Eve grasped at forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). The builders of Babel grasped at a name for themselves (Genesis 11:4). Israel's kings grasped at power and wealth. The Pharisees grasped at positions of honor (Matthew 23:6). In every case, grasping led to ruin. Christ's refusal to grasp stands as the great reversal of this pattern, showing that true greatness comes through surrender, not seizure.
The Hymn of Christ's Humility
Philippians 2:5-11 is often called the Christ Hymn, and the concept of not grasping is its foundation. The passage traces a downward trajectory from divine glory to human birth to death on a cross, followed by God's exaltation of Christ to the highest place (Philippians 2:9-11). The one who did not grasp at equality received a name above every name. This pattern of humility leading to exaltation echoes throughout Scripture, as Jesus Himself taught: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
The Call to Believers
Paul introduces the Christ Hymn with a direct application: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Believers are called to adopt the same posture of not grasping, of considering others more significant than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4). This runs counter to every natural human instinct, but it reflects the very heart of the gospel. The one who had everything gave it all away, and in doing so, won everything back and more.
Biblical Context
The primary biblical context for 'grasp' is Paul's letter to the Philippians, specifically the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2:5-11. Paul uses this profound theological statement to address practical issues of unity and humility in the Philippian church. The concept also connects to the broader biblical theme of grasping versus surrendering, seen from Genesis 3 through the Gospels. Jesus' teaching about losing one's life to find it (Matthew 16:25) echoes the same principle.
Theological Significance
The concept of not grasping is central to Christology and soteriology. It affirms Christ's pre-existent deity while highlighting the voluntary nature of the incarnation. Christ's decision not to exploit His divine status for personal advantage is the foundation of the gospel: salvation comes through divine self-giving, not through power or coercion. This also establishes the ethical pattern for Christian community, where self-emptying love replaces competitive striving.
Historical Background
The Greek word harpagmos appears only once in the New Testament, making its precise meaning a matter of scholarly debate. In secular Greek, the word could mean either the act of seizing or the thing seized. Early church fathers generally understood it as referring to something Christ already possessed but chose not to exploit. The passage is widely regarded as an early Christian hymn that Paul may have quoted, suggesting these theological convictions about Christ's humility were already established in the earliest decades of the church.