Philippians 2:11 kjv
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11 nkjv
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11 niv
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11 esv
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11 nlt
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua 2:11 | "...For the Lord your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below." | Acknowledgment of God's sovereignty |
| Psalm 18:49 | "Therefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name." | Public praise |
| Psalm 67:4 | "Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations on earth." | Universal rule of God |
| Psalm 72:11 | "May all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him." | Submission of rulers |
| Psalm 113:3 | "From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the LORD be praised." | Worldwide praise |
| Isaiah 45:23 | "By myself I have sworn; from my mouth in righteousness has a word gone out that shall not return: to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." | Prophecy of universal submission |
| Jeremiah 4:2 | "And if you swear, 'As the LORD lives,' in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory." | Nations blessed in God's people |
| Matthew 28:18 | "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'" | Christ's authority |
| Acts 2:36 | "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." | Declaration of Christ's lordship |
| Romans 14:11 | "For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'" | Confession of faith |
| Romans 15:9 | "...and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.'" | Gentile glorification of God |
| 1 Corinthians 1:2 | "to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:" | Calling on Christ's name |
| 1 Corinthians 12:3 | "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit." | Acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord by the Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 | "For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For 'God has put all things under his feet.' But when it says 'all things are put under him,' it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be all in all." | Christ's reign and ultimate subjection |
| 1 Corinthians 8:6 | "yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." | Unity of God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ |
| Philippians 2:9 | "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name," | God exalting Jesus |
| Hebrews 1:3 | "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the very image of his substance, upholding the all things by the word of his power." | Christ's divine nature |
| James 2:19 | "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!" | Demonic belief |
| Revelation 5:13 | "And to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing, honor, dominion, and might forever and ever!" | Universal worship |
| Revelation 11:15 | "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'" | Reign of Christ established |
| Revelation 19:16 | "On his robe and on his thigh he has inscribed this title: King of kings and Lord of lords." | Christ's supreme title |
| Revelation 20:10 | "and the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." | Final judgment |
| Revelation 21:24 | "By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it." | Nations in New Jerusalem |
| Revelation 22:3 | "No longer shall there be any curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall worship him." | Worship of God and Lamb |
Philippians 2 verses
Philippians 2 11 Meaning
Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2 11 Context
Philippians chapter 2 exhorts believers to unity and humility by reflecting on Christ's selfless example. Paul urges them to "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." He then details Christ's kenosis (self-emptying), His obedient descent to death, and His subsequent exaltation by God the Father. Verse 11 is the culmination of this discourse, stating the universal consequence of Christ's humiliation and exaltation: ultimate acknowledgment of His lordship. This theological truth serves as the ultimate motivation for the humility and unity Paul has been advocating for throughout the chapter. Historically, this passage would resonate in a Greco-Roman world where patron-client relationships and hierarchical social structures were common. The idea of a universally acknowledged Lord, especially one who endured suffering, challenged existing power dynamics.
Philippians 2 11 Word Analysis
καὶ (kai): "and." A common conjunction connecting clauses or phrases. Here, it links the act of confession to the glory of God the Father, showing their inseparable relationship.
πᾶσα (pasa): "every." Denotes totality, universality. This emphasizes that the confession will be comprehensive, without exception.
γλῶσσα (glōssa): "tongue." Metonymy for speech, language, and the person who speaks. It refers to all people of all languages.
ἐξομολογήσεται (exomologēsōmai): "shall confess, shall acknowledge." Derived from ex (out) and homologeo (to say the same thing). It signifies a public, voluntary, and full admission or declaration. In this context, it speaks of an ultimate, irrefutable declaration of truth. This confession is not merely intellectual assent but an outward declaration, often implying worship or praise.
ὅτι (hoti): "that." Introduces the content of the confession.
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous): "Jesus." The personal name of the Savior.
Χριστὸς (Christos): "Christ." The title meaning "Anointed One," identifying Jesus as the Messiah and King.
Κύριος (Kyrios): "Lord." A title denoting supreme authority, sovereignty, and lordship. It's the Septuagint's translation for the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh), highlighting Jesus' divine identity and equality with God the Father. The use of Kyrios here is profoundly significant, aligning Jesus with the ultimate divine name.
εἰς (eis): "to, unto." Indicates direction or purpose.
δόξαν (doxan): "glory." Radiance, splendor, honor, praise.
Θεοῦ (Theou): "God." The singular, supreme Being.
Πατρός (Patros): "Father." Referring to God in His relational capacity as Father, which also underscores the unique relationship between the Father and the Son.
Every tongue shall confess: This phrase emphasizes a future, universal, and undeniable acknowledgement. It goes beyond the willing confession of believers. Even those who have resisted or denied Christ will, in the end, be compelled to recognize His sovereign authority. This echoes Old Testament prophecies about the nations acknowledging God's dominion.
Jesus Christ is Lord: The confession centers on the dual identity of Jesus (the historical person) and Christ (the Anointed King) and His essential attribute of Lordship. This statement is the core of Christian faith, a direct affirmation of Jesus' divine authority and kingly reign. The linking of "Jesus" and "Christ" with the title "Lord" is a powerful Trinitarian affirmation, positioning Jesus as equal to the Father, for the confession is "to the glory of God the Father."
To the glory of God the Father: The ultimate purpose and effect of Christ's universal lordship being acknowledged is the magnification of God the Father. This clarifies that Christ's exaltation does not diminish the Father but, rather, brings Him glory. Christ’s rule serves the Father’s ultimate plan and honor. This demonstrates the unity within the Godhead; as Christ is glorified, the Father is also glorified.
Philippians 2 11 Bonus Section
The concept of universal confession is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 45:23 where God declares that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear. The New Testament clearly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11). This final confession will be an objective reality, irrespective of individual faith or inclination. It highlights the absolute sovereignty of God and the ultimate triumph of His Christ over all opposition. The "tongue" also refers to distinct languages and cultures, emphasizing the universality of Christ's dominion across all nations. This acknowledgment is intrinsically tied to the divine glory, showcasing God's faithfulness to His redemptive plan.
Philippians 2 11 Commentary
This verse marks the peak of Christ's exalted status, resulting from His humble obedience. It's a powerful declaration that every individual, without exception, will ultimately acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. This confession will manifest in two ways: the willing and joyful confession of believers in this life, and the compelled, final acknowledgement of all creation at the eschatological judgment. The ultimate purpose of this universal confession is to bring glory to God the Father. It underscores that Christ's lordship is not a usurpation of the Father's authority, but rather an integral part of the divine plan, revealing the Father's glory through the Son’s supreme reign. This truth provides the strongest possible foundation for Christian humility, unity, and mission.