Philippians 2:9 - Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

Generated Verse: Philippians 2:9

What does "Philippians 2:9" mean?


Philippians 2:9, "Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name," is a pivotal verse in understanding the Christian belief in the deity of Jesus Christ. Let's break down the meaning:

"Therefore God also highly exalted him": This "therefore" connects back to the preceding verses (Philippians 2:5-8), which describe Jesus's humility and obedience. Jesus, being in the form of God, did not exploit His equality with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this unparalleled humility and self-sacrifice, God the Father exalted Jesus. "Exalted" here means raised to a position of supreme honor, authority, and power. It signifies that Jesus was elevated to a status even greater than what He voluntarily relinquished.

"and gave to him the name which is above every name": This is the key point of the verse. "Name" in ancient times wasn't just a label; it represented the nature, character, authority, and power of the one bearing it. To give someone a name was to bestow upon them certain attributes and status. The "name which is above every name" is universally understood to be the name "Lord" (Kyrios in Greek), which in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) was used to translate the divine name Yahweh (often rendered as Jehovah in English).

In summary, the verse means:

Because Jesus humbled Himself and obeyed God to the point of death on a cross, God the Father responded by glorifying Jesus, raising Him to the highest position of authority and giving Him the very name that signifies divine sovereignty, the name "Lord", which is superior to all other titles and names in existence.

Theological Implications:

Deity of Christ: This verse is a strong affirmation of Jesus' divinity. By receiving the "name above every name" (Lord), Jesus is placed on par with God the Father. It suggests that Jesus shares in the very essence and being of God.
Christ's Lordship: The verse declares Jesus' ultimate authority and dominion over all creation. His name commands reverence and obedience from all beings.
Reward for Obedience: While not the primary purpose, the verse also demonstrates that obedience to God is ultimately rewarded with honor and exaltation.
Kneeling: The next verse (Philippians 2:10) expands on this by saying that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

In conclusion, Philippians 2:9 is a powerful statement about the exaltation and supreme authority of Jesus Christ, solidifying His position as Lord and reaffirming His divine nature.

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