Form
“Form, essential character, outward expression of inner nature”
Summary
A term denoting the essential character, appearance, or outward expression of something, used theologically to describe Christ's divine and human natures.
☩Philosophical and General Usage
In philosophy, 'form' (Greek: morphe) denotes the essential character that makes a thing what it is, as distinguished from its matter. Aristotle defined it as the doctrine of the substance or essence of a thing. The form is what the mind perceives about objects, the mode of viewing or knowing them. In Scripture, the word is used to denote appearance, characteristic form, shape, pattern, or orderly arrangement.
☩Christ's Divine and Human Forms
The most significant theological use appears in Philippians 2:6-8, where Christ is said to have existed 'in the form of God' (morphe theou) yet took 'the form of a servant' (morphe doulou). The term 'form' here indicates the self-manifesting characteristics that express the underlying essence. Christ never emptied Himself of His equality with God in essence, but only of the form of God for the time of His humiliation. This is distinguished from 'fashion' (schema), which refers to mere outward appearance.
☩Form of Doctrine
The apostle Paul speaks of a 'form of doctrine' (tupos) meaning a pattern or standard of teaching to which believers were delivered (Romans 6:17). In 2 Timothy 1:13, 'form of sound words' (hupotuposis) refers to an outline sketch or pattern of healthy teaching that Timothy was to hold fast. This emphasizes the importance of adhering to the established pattern of apostolic instruction.
Related Verses7 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Form," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Form," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Form," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Form," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).