Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "

Recap

start with the Story of Matthew Barrios

Intro

The Old Testament speaks through this passage in Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, God always promised to bring his people to glory. Though they would need to submit to the covenant, God promised that eventually, all people would see that God is the Lord of all. The new Testament is no different; this passage hearkens back to Isaiah 45:18-23. Here the purpose of Christ's exaltation is to that every knee will bow. The significance of this immense.

The believers are suffering greatly at the hands of Judiazers and Roman authorities. But Paul wants to communicate that their suffering is not in vain. But part of Christ's body means suffering for his sake and the sake of the Christian community. Through suffering, we ultimately enter into glory. As Christians, we are in a state of suffering as we speak. Churches are being shut down, political figures are trying to silence believers, and there is division amongst believers about mask-wearing and the legitimacy of a lockdown. But Paul gives a different perspective for believers. We must suffer together, be of the same mind and be one accord. In doing so, we engage in the path that Christ took. We take part in the suffering that Christ endured.

English Standard Version (Chapter 45)

18  For thus says the LORD,who created the heavens(he is God!),who formed the earth and made it(he established it;he did not create it empty,he formed it to be inhabited!):“I am the LORD, and there is no other.19  I did not speak in secret,in a land of darkness;I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,‘Seek me in vain.’I the LORD speak the truth;I declare what is right.20  “Assemble yourselves and come;draw near together,you survivors of the nations!They have no knowledgewho carry about their wooden idols,and keep on praying to a godthat cannot save.21  Declare and present your case;let them take counsel together!Who told this long ago?Who declared it of old?Was it not I, the LORD?And there is no other god besides me,a righteous God and a Savior;there is none besides me.22  “Turn to me and be saved,all the ends of the earth!For I am God, and there is no other.23  By myself I have sworn;from my mouth has gone out in righteousnessa word that shall not return:‘To me every knee shall bow,every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

Explain v.9

English Standard Version Chapter 2

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10

ὑπερύψωσεν- This is the greek word translated “exalted.” this is a verb in the aorist active indicative, communicating that Christ was exalted and currently still is. It has a sense of "being exalted to the highest place," referencing an even higher and even more exalted place than in verse six. His death exalted Him even higher than before. This hymn changes from submission and suffering to His exaltation and glory, a clear point that Paul is making here. The way of the cross is the way to glory. Christ's obedience to the point of death exalted Him to the highest places. "….the subject of his own actions that led to his humiliation as an obedient slave on a cross and as the object of God's actions that lead to his exaltation as the Lord worshipped by all."20

English Standard Version Chapter 2

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth

v.10 Ἰησοῦ- this clause "at the name of Jesus" relates to verse nine, where God gave him the name above all names. It transitions to the fact that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess because God gave him the name above all names. "By referring to the name of Jesus, the hymn is focusing on the name Lord that belongs to Jesus as a result of God's exaltation of Jesus and God's gracious gift of the name Lord to Jesus."23 Starting the clause with the name of Jesus starts the flow from the previous verse to this current verse. It has a causal relationship between verses 9 and 10. If God gave him the name above all names, then every knee will bow.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

v. 11 The hymn, very much akin to Old Testament thought, declares that God will be honored by all at the final Judgement. This thought is deeply embedded in Jewish thought, and Paul is taking advantage of the opportunity to reiterate the Salvation plan in Christ. Just as God is glorified and exalted, so will his people at the end of time. As Ryan Giffen states, "Once more, the general purpose of that passage is to shape the people of God into a community that reflects the way of acting narrated therein. Interestingly, whether Paul intended it or not, a reading of Philippians reveals that the people of God are portrayed in his letter as the justified and glorified people of a justified and glorified God, 27 All will declare and see that God is truly the king of all

Application: What is Paul’s point?

Christ suffered to restore humanity’s relationship to God. By partaking in the suffering for a little while, we will be raised into glory. Our suffering is not in vain. All will know and acknowledge that Christ is the Lord. They will see him lifted high, and there will be no other way than to admit that Christ is Lord of all. We must lay down our pride and arrogance; we must look to our brothers and sisters and join hands with them. Unity will strengthen the bond we have with one another, and we engage in one accord by "embarrassing" ourselves for the sake of our Christianity. The way of Christ is to let go of all egotistical thoughts towards our neighbors and engage in the bond of love and unity. In so doing, we will be lifted into glory when we are re-united with Christ at the end of time.