Philippians 2 9

Philippians 2:9 kjv

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:9 nkjv

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

Philippians 2:9 niv

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2:9 esv

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2:9 nlt

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,

Philippians 2 verses

Philippians 2 9 Meaning

God has supremely exalted Jesus, conferring upon Him the highest possible name. This exalted name signifies His unique authority, sovereignty, and honor, bestowed by the Father due to His perfect obedience and sacrificial death. The ultimate purpose of this exaltation is so that all in heaven, on earth, and in the unseen realm will acknowledge Jesus as Lord, confessing His divine Lordship and recognizing His ultimate victory.

Philippians 2 9 Context

Philippians 2:5-11 presents a profound example of Christ's humility and the divine reward that followed. The preceding verses call believers to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus—to be humble, selfless, and prioritize others’ well-being over their own. This passage serves as a direct application of that exhortation. The context is a call to unity and mutual love within the Philippian church, urging them to avoid rivalry and pride. Paul uses Christ’s voluntary humiliation in His incarnation and suffering for humanity, leading to His exaltation by God, as the ultimate model for Christian conduct. This specific verse, verse 9, is the turning point where the focus shifts from Christ's suffering to His glorious reward and universal recognition.

Philippians 2 9 Word analysis

• "Therefore" (διό / dion): A conjunctive adverb indicating a consequence or result. It links this verse directly to the preceding account of Christ's suffering and humiliation.
• "God" (θεός / theos): The supreme Creator and Ruler of the universe, acting decisively in exalting Jesus.
• "highly exalted" (ὑπερυψώσεν / hyperupsōsen): A strong verb meaning "to exalt exceedingly" or "to lift up to the highest point." It emphasizes the supreme degree of Jesus' elevation by God. This goes beyond mere promotion; it's an ultimate vindication.
• "Him" (αὐτόν / auton): Refers to Jesus Christ, the subject of the preceding narrative of humility.
• "has highly exalted": The perfect tense indicates a past action with ongoing, present results and eternal validity. God's act of exalting Jesus is a finished, definitive act with lasting impact.
• "bestowed on him the name that is above every name": This signifies the unique and supreme title and authority given to Jesus. It is not merely an honorific title but represents His rightful position and sovereign power.
• "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow":
  • "at the name" (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι / en tō onomati): In association with, by virtue of, or upon the invocation of His name.
  • "every knee" (πᾶν γόνυ / pan gonu): Universally encompassing all beings. This echoes Old Testament language of total submission.
  • "should bow" (κάμψῃ / kamptē): The subjunctive mood indicates purpose or a divinely ordained result of Jesus' exaltation. It’s a future, inevitable action of reverence and submission.
• "in heaven" (ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς / en tois ouranois): Refers to celestial beings, angels, and all inhabitants of the heavenly realm.
• "on earth" (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς / epi tēs gēs): Refers to all human beings on the terrestrial plane.
• "and under the earth" (καὶ κατὰ γῆν / kai kata gēn): Refers to the unseen realm, the dead, or possibly malevolent spiritual beings who are subject to Christ's ultimate authority. This covers the entirety of creation, visible and invisible.

Philippians 2 9 Bonus Section

The concept of "the name" given to Jesus is multi-faceted. It includes His personal name "Jesus" (meaning "Yahweh saves"), the title "Christ" (Messiah, Anointed One), and inherently, the divine name of God, as Jesus declared, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) and "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). The confession "Jesus is Lord" was the early Christian confession of faith, a powerful declaration in a world dominated by emperor worship. It mirrors the Old Testament's use of "Lord" (Adonai) for Yahweh. The verse anticipates a universal, definitive acknowledgement of Christ's sovereignty, which begins in this life with believers and will be universally expressed at His return and in eternity. The submission of all beings underscores Christ's victory not just over sin and death, but over every power and authority.

Philippians 2 9 Commentary

This verse is the glorious apex of Christ's obedient journey from divine equality to kenotic self-emptying (Philippians 2:5-8), culminating in His ultimate exaltation by the Father. God has elevated Jesus to the supreme position, granting Him a name that eclipses all others. This name carries unparalleled authority and implies universal recognition. The purpose is that every entity in the cosmos—in the heavenly realm, on earth, and even in the unseen world—will acknowledge and bow before Jesus as Lord. This acknowledgment isn't just a formal recognition but an act of supreme reverence and submission, fulfilling prophecy. It demonstrates God's absolute confidence in Jesus, vindicating His suffering and establishing Him as the supreme Sovereign over all creation. The exaltation is a testament to the Father’s love and desire to see His Son glorified. It’s a call to the Philippians (and to us) to embrace this humble mindset, knowing that such obedience leads to ultimate vindication and participation in Christ's glory.