kenosis
UK[kɪˈnəʊsɪs]US[kɪˈnoʊsɪs]
n
In Christian theology, the renunciation of the divine nature, at least in part, by Christ in the incarnation.
n
The self-emptying of one's own will and becoming entirely receptive to God's divine will.
Morpheme Breakdown
ken
osis
ken
empty
osis
state or condition
Etymology
The term 'kenosis' is a direct borrowing from ecclesiastical Greek, specifically from κένωσις (kenōsis), which means "an emptying". This Greek noun is derived from the verb κενόω (kenoō), "to empty", which itself originates from the adjective κενός (kenos), meaning "empty". The word entered English theological discourse in the 19th century to articulate the concept, based on Philippians 2:7 in the New Testament, where Christ is described as having "emptied himself" (ἐαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν). Thus, the literal "state of emptiness" described by its Greek morphemes evolved into a precise theological term for the voluntary self-limitation of divine attributes in the incarnation.
Analysis
Structure: ken (empty) + osis (state or condition)
- ken: From Greek κενός (kenos), meaning "empty". It functions as the core root conveying the concept of emptiness.
- osis: A suffix of Greek origin (from -ωσις) used to form nouns indicating a state, condition, or process.
Examples
The doctrine of kenosis attempts to explain the paradox of Christ being both fully divine and fully human.
Her spiritual practice was one of kenosis, letting go of ego to make room for grace.
The theologian's paper focused on a modern interpretation of kenotic theory.