“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11
Paul finishes describing the great exaltation of Christ by God for His steadfast humble obedience to His Father’s will. The majesty of God’s exaltation of His Son, and ultimately for us, is unparalleled. Note that God does not exalt primarily with riches but with a glorious name, honor and reputation in His home.
That at the name of Jesus Paul refers to the name that God gave
Jesus, the name that is above all names. Today the name men use as a curse word will be lifted up in front of all creation.
Every knee should bow. The word every means without exception. To make sure we understand this is absolute, Paul lists all those included. The word bow means to bend in submission. In the Greco-Roman world, bowing was associated with paying homage to rulers or
deities. In Jewish tradition, bowing was a significant part of worship and prayer, symbolizing humility before Almighty God. Just as Christ humbled Himself to do His Father’s will, now every living creature will bow in humility to the One who did what no one else could or would do.
Of those in heaven Every being in heaven, every type of angel will honor the Lord. We read how angels when they appear to men warn those men not to bow and worship them. Those who live in the very throne room of God know there is only One worthy of worship and they themselves. Mighty angels of God, bow their knees to Him in awe and wonder.
And of those on earth Every human who has ever lived on earth, unredeemed and redeemed, will bow their knees at the name of Jesus. Those who mock and curse His name will fall on their faces before His glory and majesty.
And of those under the earth There are no atheists among demons. Every fallen angel, every demon, will bow and worship the risen Savior that they opposed. Thus we see there is no created being who does not admit to the superior worth of Jesus Christ. When God exalts His Son, all will obey.
And that every tongue should confess Every creature that has a voice, whether in grateful adoration or under compulsion, will proclaim God’s truth. The word confess is an open public declaration. All will say what God says about His Son is absolute truth.
That Jesus Christ is Lord This truth has infuriated multitudes for centuries yet God’s truth will be proclaimed. missionary, Don Richardson, the famous missionary, once stated that many picture hell full of haters of God blaspheming and cursing the name of Jesus. He suggests God will not allow that to go on. Those in hell, he proposes, will spend eternity acknowledge God’s truth – that Jesus Christ is Lord. Like the demons, that truth will not change unbelieving hearts but it will be acknowledged with their tongues.
To the glory of God the Father Did you catch that? God is glorified the His Son is exalted. God will ensure all creation glorifies His son for all eternity. That is what believers are left on earth to do now. We glorify God now by proclaiming to all that Jesus Christ is Lord.
What can we learn? The supremacy of the Lord will be acknowledged by every living creature. Those who mocked, scoffed and denied the Lordship of Jesus Christ will confess He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The redeemed we will sing His praises gladly and humbly with joy for what He has done for them.. The unredeemed will acknowledge God’s truth with their tongues while their hearts self-righteously despise the truth. The difference lies in one’s willingness to humble his heart to God’s truth, a decision that can only be made in this life. That is Paul’s great desire for the Philippian church – glorify His great name now!