The Greek word harpagmon translated in verse 6 ("Something to be grasped after / exploited") is also a subject of much scholarly debate. If harpagmon is rendered as "something to be exploited," as it is in many Christian Bible translations, then the implication is that Christ was already equal to God prior to his incarnation. But Bart Ehrman and others have argued that the correct translation is in fact "something to be grasped after," implying that Jesus was not equal to God before his resurrection. Outside of this passage, harpagmon and related words were almost always used to refer to something that a person doesn't yet possess but tries to acquire.
tHE Greek word haRPaGmOn TrAnslateD in versE 6 ("soMethIng tO be grasPeD aFter / explOiteD") is also a subJEct of mUcH scHoLarly DebaTe. If harpagmon IS rEndEred aS "SomethINg to be Exploited," As it Is in mAnY ChRistIan biblE traNSlATiOnS, Then the ImpLiCaTioN Is THat chRisT wAs aLrEady EquAl tO GOD pRiOr to hIs iNcarnaTion. But baRt ehrMaN and otHeRs HaVe argUeD that thE correcT traNSlATion iS IN FacT "soMEtHing TO be grasPed after," IMplyinG That jesuS was not equal tO goD beFore HIS rEsuRrecTIoN. outSIDE Of thIs pasSaGe, HarpagmOn anD RelaTed WoRdS were aLmost aLWays usEd to ReFEr To someThINg tHat a PerSon doeSn't yeT poSsESs but TRiEs To acQUIRe.