Verse of the Day for Sunday, July 13, 2025

 

Verse of the Day

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Introduction

This short but majestic passage is one of the most exalted declarations of Christ’s lordship in the New Testament. Nestled within what many scholars call the Christ Hymn (Philippians 2:5–11), these verses form the climactic response to Christ’s self-emptying and obedience unto death. Paul invites readers not only to admire Christ’s humility but to behold the result: His supreme exaltation by God.

As we explore these verses, we are invited to ask: What does it mean to live under the lordship of the one whom God has exalted above all?

Commentary

Verse 9: “Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.”

The word “highly exalted” (Greek: hyperupsōsen) is used only here in the New Testament, emphasizing an elevation beyond all others. It is God's response to Christ's voluntary humiliation. The “name above every name” likely refers not simply to the name Jesus, which was common, but to the bestowed title and identity—Kyrios (Lord)—a divine designation echoing the Old Testament name of God (YHWH) in the Greek Septuagint.

Verse 10: “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

This sweeping phrase underscores the universal scope of Christ’s authority. The act of bending the knee is one of worship and submission. “Heaven,” “earth,” and “under the earth” refer to every realm of existence: celestial beings, humanity, and even the dead—emphasizing no creature is exempt from recognizing Christ's lordship.

Verse 11: “And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Here, Paul draws directly from Isaiah 45:23, where God declares, “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” By applying this to Jesus, Paul is unmistakably affirming Christ’s divine identity. This confession—Jesus Christ is Lord—became the earliest Christian creed (cf. Romans 10:9), and its recitation glorifies the Father, showing that exaltation of the Son does not diminish God’s glory but fulfills it.

Understanding the Context

Philippians 2:9–11 concludes a larger poetic and theological arc beginning in verse 5, where believers are urged to adopt the mindset of Christ. The passage recounts Christ’s downward journey—from equality with God to the form of a servant, to obedience, to death on a cross (vv. 6–8)—followed by His upward trajectory—resurrection, exaltation, and universal recognition.

In the Roman world, where honor and power were highly prized, Paul’s message challenged conventional values. Christ's humility, not His status, led to His exaltation. For the Philippians—a colony of retired Roman soldiers and citizens proud of their status—this redefinition of greatness would have been both countercultural and compelling.

Application for Today

This passage confronts modern Christians with a radical vision of servant leadership and divine exaltation. In a world that still idolizes power, prestige, and self-promotion, Christ’s example teaches that true greatness lies in humility and obedience to God.

Christians today are called to emulate this pattern: not seeking status for its own sake, but trusting that God lifts up those who surrender their lives in love and faithfulness. Whether in the workplace, in ministry, or at home, the humility of Christ should shape our character.

Moreover, the universal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord invites reflection on how we live under His lordship now. Do our lives reflect submission to His authority? Do our words and actions confess His sovereignty daily—not just in church, but in how we treat others, use our time, and make decisions?

Reflection

Philippians 2:9–11 stands as both a promise and a challenge. It promises that Christ—who gave everything—has been given everything by the Father. It also challenges us to examine our alignment with His lordship.

Questions for Reflection:

• Do I live each day as though Jesus truly is “Lord” over all I am and have?

• In what areas of my life am I resisting His rightful reign?

• How can I reflect His humility while bearing His name before the world?

Ultimately, to confess that “Jesus Christ is Lord” is not merely to speak words—it is to live in a way that glorifies the Father, just as Christ did.

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The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse, extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.