Definition

The act of giving up or emptying oneself of divine attributes, particularly in the context of Jesus becoming human and experiencing suffering.

Example

In Christian theology, kenosis refers to the moment when Jesus relinquished his divine form to live as a human.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about the concept of kenosis?

Yeah, I think it refers to Jesus giving up his divine nature, right?

Exactly! It's such a profound idea about sacrifice and humility.

It really makes you think about what it means to let go of power for a greater purpose.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Kenosis is derived from the Greek word "kenōsis" (κένωσις), meaning 'emptiness' or 'to empty'. The root "keno-" (κενός) means 'empty', and the suffix "-sis" indicates a process or action. Thus, kenosis refers to the act of emptying oneself, particularly in a theological context regarding the self-emptying of Jesus in the incarnation.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek root 'keno-' meaning 'empty' to remember that 'kenosis' refers to the process of emptying oneself.

Visually Confused Words