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COLLECTIONS
Commentaries,
Word Studies, Devotionals, Sermons, Illustrations
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Philippians 2:8 Being
found in
appearance as a
man, He
humbled
(3SAAI)
Himself
by
becoming
(AMPMSN) obedient
to the
point of
death,
even
death on a
cross.
(NASB:
Lockman) |
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Greek:
tkai
schemati
heuretheis
(AAPMSN)
os
anthropos
etapeinosen (3SAAI)
heauton
genomenos
(AMPMSN)
hupekoos
mechri
thanatou,
thanatou
de
staurou
Amplified:
And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself
[still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death,
even the death of the cross!
(Amplified
Bible - Lockman)
Barclay:
And when he came in appearance as a man for all to recognise, he
became obedient even to the extent of accepting death, even the death
of a cross. (Westminster
Press)
KJV:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Lightfoot:
Nor was this all. Having thus appeared among men in the fashion of a
man, he humbled himself yet more, and carried out his obedience even
to dying. Nor did he die by a common death: he was crucified, as the
lowest malefactor is crucified
Phillips: And, having become man, he humbled himself by living a life of utter
obedience, even to the extent of dying, and the death he died was the
death of a common criminal. (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Wuest: And
being found to be in outward guise as man, He stooped very low, having
become obedient to the extent of death, even such a death as that upon
a cross. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled
himself, having become obedient unto death -- death even of a cross, |
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AND BEING
FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN: kai schemati heuretheis (AAPMSN) os
anthropos: (Mt 17:2; Mk 9:2,3; Lk 9:29)
Being found
(2147)
(heurisko, gives us English word eureka which is from
the exclamation attributed to Archimedes on discovering a method for
determining the purity of gold) means learn location of something,
either by intentional searching or by unexpected discovery.
Appearance
(4976)
(schema) refers purely
outward and appeals to the senses. The contrast here is between what
He was in Himself, God, and what He appeared in the eyes of man.
"Likeness" states the fact of His real resemblance to men in mode of
existence.
Appearance
defines the outward mode and expression. While on earth, He did not
give expression to the glory of His deity except on the Mount of
Transfiguration. He appeared as the Man Christ Jesus to the world
around Him. He was in His humiliation.
Spurgeon's
Exposition...
He had not descended low enough
yet, though he had come down all the way from the Godhead to our
manhood: “he humbled himself.”
What a cruel and ignominious death
for the Son of God to suffer! Did he lose anything by all this
wondrous condescension? Will you lose anything by any dishonor that
may come upon you for Christ’s sake, for the truth’s sake? No; listen
to what followed our Savior’s humiliation:—
He humbled himself, so be you not
unwilling to humble yourself. Lower than the cross Christ could not
go, his death was one of such extreme ignominy that he could not have
been more disgraced and degraded. Be you willing to take the lowest
place in the Church of God, and to render the humblest service, count
it an honor to be allowed to wash the saints feet. Be humble in mind;
nothing is lost by cherishing this spirit, for see how Jesus Christ
was honored in the end.
HE HUMBLED
HIMSELF: etapeinosen (3SAAI) heauton: (Acts 8:33; Heb 5:5, 6,
7; 12:2)
In Proverbs
we read that...
The fear of the LORD is the
instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. (Pr 15:33)
Jesus put aside all personal rights
and interests in order to insure the welfare of others.
Humbled
(5013)
(tapeinoo
[word study])
from
tapeinos
= low, not high, figuratively of one's attitude/social position)
literally means to level, to cause something to be lower or to make
low (eg, to level off a mountain in Lk 3:5 from Lxx of Is 40:4).
Tapeinoo means to bow down, to make low, to humble. Most NT uses
of tapeinoo are figurative and include the following meanings:
To cause someone to lose prestige, to reduce to a meaner condition or
lower rank, to abase. To be ranked below others.
Tapeinoo
- 14x in 11v - Matt 18:4; 23:12; Luke 3:5; 14:11; 18:14; 2 Cor 11:7;
12:21; Phil 2:8; 4:12; Jas 4:10; 1 Pet 5:6. NAS = brought
low(1), get along(1), humble(2), humble means(1), humbled(4),
humbles(4),humbling(1)
Humble in English is
derived from Latin "humilis" meaning low and this word
is in turn from "humus" meaning earth! Greeks saw
humility as shameful but the NT sees humility as condition bringing
man to right relation to God! The fundamental difference between the
Greek & the biblical use of these words is that in the Greek world,
with its anthropocentric view of man, lowliness is looked on as
shameful, to be avoided and overcome by act and thought. In the NT,
with its theocentric view of man, the words are used to describe those
events that bring a man into a right relationship with God and his
fellow-man.
This was a voluntary humiliation on
the part of Christ and for this reason Paul is pressing the example of
Christ upon the Philippians, this supreme example of renunciation.
In this lowly estate He humbled Himself. The Greek word translated
"humbled" is used in an early document, of the Nile River at its low
stage, in the sentence, "It runs low," a good description of the
humility of our Lord, who said of Himself, "I am meek and lowly of
heart." He became obedient, not to death, but obedient to the Father
up to the point of death, even the death of a cross.
This is the self-emptied life, ever an example and a challenge to us
as servants of the One who came not to be ministered unto but to
minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mk 10:45)
><>><>><>
Spurgeon's
Devotional - Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need
daily to learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his
disciples' feet! Follower of Christ, wilt thou not humble thyself? See
him as the Servant of servants, and surely thou canst not be proud! Is
not this sentence the compendium of his biography, "He humbled
himself"? Was he not on earth always stripping off first one robe of
honour and then another, till, naked, he was fastened to the cross,
and there did he not empty out his inmost self, pouring out his
life-blood, giving up for all of us, till they laid him penniless in a
borrowed grave? How low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we
be proud? Stand at the foot of the cross, and count the purple drops
by which you have been cleansed; see the thorn-crown; mark his
scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsoned rills; see hands
and feet given up to the rough iron, and his whole self to mockery and
scorn; see the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward
grief, showing themselves in his outward frame; hear the thrilling
shriek, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" And if you do not
lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it:
if you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know him.
You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of
God's only begotten. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow
yourself in lowliness at his feet. A sense of Christ's amazing love to
us has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of
our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary, then
our position will no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but
we shall take the humble place of one who loves much because much has
been forgiven him. Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit
there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
BY BECOMING
OBEDIENT: genomenos (AMPMSN) hupekoos: (Jn 4:34; 15:10; Heb
10:7, 8, 9)
Remember that
Paul is telling the Philippians that if they think they cannot humble
themselves to the will of one another, they need to ponder the
obedience of the Lord of glory who was willing to give up His rights
as their example of perfect selflessness. This is the attitude the
saints at Philippi were to manifest. It is the attitude every believer
is to manifest to assure unity in the body of Christ.
Becoming
(1096)
(ginomai) means to cause to be ("gen"-erate) and in this
context means that it came to be that Jesus experienced obedience to
the will of His Father.
Obedient
(5255)
(hupekoos is from hupo = under + akouo = hear and apprehend with the mind,
gives us our English word "acoustic") (See
hupakouo
in Php 2:12-note) giving ear to,
attentively listening.
Obedient
indicates a condition
of being submissive to the will of another and implies compliance with
the demands or requests of one in authority, eg obedient, as to
the will of God (Acts 7:39). As Jesus said in John 8...
I always do the things that are
pleasing to Him (God the Father) (John 8:29)
David
foretold of Jesus' obedience to His Father when he wrote...
6 Sacrifice and meal offering Thou
hast not desired. My ears Thou hast opened. Burnt offering and sin
offering Thou hast not required.
7Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is
written of me;
8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart." (Psalm
40:6, 7, 8-note)
Isaiah
records the prophetic words of Jesus...
The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and
I was not disobedient, Nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those
who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did
not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. (Isa 50:5,6)
We see His
obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane as he anticipated the sinless
Son anticipated the cup of suffering in which He took upon Himself all
the sins of mankind including the necessary, though temporary,
separation from God. He naturally shrank from this, but was obedient
and willingly submitted, Matthew recording...
And He went a little beyond them,
and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou
wilt."... He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My
Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done."
(Mt 26:39,42)
In fact Jesus
entire life purpose was to life in humble submission to the Father's
will, John recording Jesus' words to His disciples that...
"My food is to do the will of Him
who sent Me, and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34)
The writer of
Hebrews explains that...
Although He was a Son, He learned
obedience from the things which He suffered (What Jesus knew by
omniscience, He "learned" by experience - true obedience can only be
tested if it involved suffering). And having been made perfect (not as
God (for as God He was eternally perfect, by definition), but as man),
He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation (Hebrews
5:8-note,
He 5:9-note)
TO THE POINT
OF DEATH EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS: mechri thanatou thanatou de staurou: (Dt
21:23; Ps 22:16; Jn 10:18; 12:28, 29, 30, 32, 32; 14:31; Gal 3:13;
Titus 2:14; Heb 12:2; 1Pet 2:24; 3:18)
Death (2288)
(thanatos from thnesko = to die) refers
physically to the separation of soul from the body (physical) death
and was a legal technical term for capital punishment. In the NT
thanatos is treated as a destroying power related to
sin and its consequences.
The act of voluntary humiliation did not stop with the Incarnation but
continued to the ignominious depths of death by crucifixion.
Cross (4716)
(stauros from histemi = to stand) was an an upright
stake, especially a pointed one. Thayer adds the stauros was a
well-known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment,
borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were
affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great,
the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the
authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the
provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and
peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves. Stauros is
used somewhat in with a figurative (but still very real) supernatural
significance as the source of the the doctrine concerning the saving
power of the death on the cross endured by Christ (1Co 1:18 = where
"being saved" =
present tense).
The cross as used figuratively to describes that which
was to be borne by those who, on behalf of God's cause, do not
hesitate cheerfully to bear persecutions, troubles, distresses thus
recalling and identifying with the rejection and fate of Christ while
on earth. (Mt 10:38, 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 9:23, 14:27,
literally of Simon of Cyrene in Mk 15:21)
Stauros - 27x
in 27v -Matt 10:38; 16:24; 27:32, 40, 42; Mark 8:34; 15:21, 30, 32;
Luke 9:23; 14:27; 23:26; John 19:17, 19, 25, 31; 1 Cor 1:17f; Gal
5:11; 6:12, 14; Eph 2:16; Phil 2:8; 3:18; Col 1:20; 2:14; Heb 12:2.
All uses are rendered "cross".
Crucifixion on a Cross was the
most despised death of all and was reserved for condemned criminals.
The cross was an instrument of most dreadful and agonizing torture.
This mode of punishment was known to the Persians (Ezra 6:11; Esther 7:10);
and the Carthaginians. However, it was most common among the Romans
for slaves and criminals, and was introduced among the Jews by the
Romans. It was not abolished until the time of Constantine who did so
out of regard for Christianity. Persons sentenced to be crucified were
first scourged and then made to bear their own cross to the place of
execution. A label or title was usually placed on the chest of or over
the criminal. Crucifixion was at once an execution, a pillory, and an
instrument of torture. When we read of the antagonism to the cross of
Christ, we must understand it as antagonism to a redemption which was
accomplished by the deepest humiliation, not by the display of power
and glory
Dwight
Pentecost explains that the Cross was not a natural death but in
fact...
It was so unnatural a form of
death that the Old Testament law forbade it and placed a curse on
anyone who should die by this means. It was such an unnatural and
abhorrent death that the Romans outlawed it for all but the grossest
of criminals. This means of execution was forbidden any Roman citizen;
it was reserved for those the Romans called “barbarians,” that is,
non-Romans. The singular thing is that because Paul was a Roman
citizen, he was protected from the kind of death that the Lord Jesus
endured for sinners. But what Roman law protected Paul from, the Lord
Jesus Christ could not and did not escape. For He came as a creature
subject to the Creator. He came as a servant subject to a Master. He
submitted Himself in obedience to the will of His Master in death, a
death by crucifixion, in order to provide salvation for sinful men.
(Pentecost,
J. D. The Joy of Living: A study of Philippians. Kregel Publications)
Application Dr.
J. H. Jowett has said,
“Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes
nothing.”
If there is to be any blessing, there must
be some “bleeding.”
At a religious festival in Brazil, a
missionary was going from booth to booth, examining the wares. He saw
a sign above one booth:
“Cheap Crosses.”
He thought to himself,
“That’s what many Christians are looking for these days—cheap
crosses. My Lord’s cross was not cheap. Why should mine be?”
Beloved, is it costing you anything to be a Christian?
If we are to have this attitude (Phil 2:5) what does it mean to us today?
We too must be willing (humility) to die to our old man's selfish
interests. Positionally this has occurred on the Cross, so that when
He died, we died (Ro 6:3-note,
Ro 6:4-note), but if we are truly His disciples
(Mk 8:34), He calls us to experience death to self daily as a "normal" part of our life.
How is this even possible? In Philippians 2:13 (note) Paul explains
that...
"for it is God
who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Believers have a new
source of inner motivation to give us the "want to" that would even be
willing to consider daily death to self.
Death to self is
emphasized by the Lord Jesus often - Mt 16:25; Mk 8:35; Lk
9:24;17:33; Jn 12:24,25). The same truth is also stressed by Paul (Ro
12:1-note,
Ro 12:2-note; 2Co 5:14,15; 6:9,10; Gal 2:20-note; Phil 2:5-11;
2Ti 2:11, 12-note).
Dying to self and living unto God is the very essence of a truly happy
and fulfilling life in this world and that to come.
In his book "The
Epistle to the Philippians" F B Meyer summarizes Philippians 2:5-8
as...
Majesty and Humility Combined.
In the whole range of Scripture this paragraph stands in almost
unapproachable and unexampled majesty. There is no passage where the
extremes of our Saviour's majesty and humility are brought into such
abrupt connection. Guided by the Spirit of God, the Apostle opens the
golden compasses of his imagination and faith, and places the one
point upon the supernal Throne of the eternal God, and the other upon
the Cross of shame where Jesus died, and he shows us the great steps
by which Jesus approached always nearer and nearer to human sin and
need; that, having embraced us in our low estate, He might carry us
back with Himself to the very bosom of God, and that by identifying
Himself with our sin and sorrow He might ultimately identify us with
the glory which He had with the Father before the world was. And this
wonderful description of His descent to our shame and sorrow is here
cited by the Apostle, that it might be a living impulse and
inspiration to ourselves, not to look upon our own things, not to hold
them with a tight grasp, but to be willing to stoop for others to
shame, sorrow, and spitting; fulfilling God's purpose of mercy to the
world, even as Jesus Christ, who became the instrument and organ
through which God's redemptive purpose wrought. "Let this mind be in
you." Think these thoughts. Never look exclusively upon your own
interests, never count anything of your own worthy to stand in the
way, but always be prepared to the last point to deny yourself, that
the redemptive purpose of God may flow through the channel of your
life to those that sorely need His blessed help. It is a wonderful
thing that, day by day, in our poor measure, we may repeat the purpose
and the work of Jesus Christ our Emmanuel. No rhetoric or metaphor of
ours can add to the splendour of these words, but in the simplest
possible way we will stand on these seven successive slabs of
chrysolite.
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Philippians 2:9 For
this
reason
also,
God
highly
exalted
(3SAAI)
Him, and
bestowed
(3SAMI)
on Him the
name which is
above
every
name,
(NASB:
Lockman) |
Greek:
dio
kai
o
theos
auton
huperupsosen
(3SAAI)
kai
echarisato (3SAMI)
auto
to
onoma
to
huper
pan
onoma
Amplified:
Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and
has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
(Amplified
Bible - Lockman)
Barclay:
And for that reason God exalted him, and granted to him the name which
is above every name (Westminster
Press)
KJV:
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which
is above every name:
Lightfoot: But
as was his humility, so also was his exaltation. God raised him to a
preeminent height, and gave him a title and a dignity far above all
dignities and titles else.
Phillips: That is why God has now lifted him so high, and has given
him the name beyond all names, (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Wuest: Because of which voluntary act of supreme self-renunciation, God also
super-eminently exalted Him to the highest rank and power, and
graciously bestowed upon Him THE NAME, the one which is above every
name, (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: wherefore, also, God did highly exalt him, and gave
to him a name that is above every name, |
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THEREFORE
ALSO GOD
HIGHLY EXALTED HIM: dio kai o Theos auton huperupsosen (3SAAI):
(Ge 3:15; Ps 2:6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12; 8:5, 6, 7, 8; 91:14; 110:1,5; Isa 9:7; 49:6, 7, 8; 52:13;
53:12; Da 2:44,45; 7:14; Mt 11:27; 28:18; Lk 10:22; Jn 3:35,36; 5:22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 13:3; 17:1, 2, 3,5; Acts 2:32, 33, 34, 35, 36;
5:31; Ro 14:9, 10, 11; 1Co 15:24, 25, 26, 27; Heb 2:9; 12:2; 2Pet
1:17; Rev 1:5; 3:21; 5:12; Rev 11:15; 19:16)
The psalmist foretells of Messiah's
exaltation writing...
Thy throne, O God, is forever
and ever. A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou
hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, Thy
God, has anointed Thee
With the oil of joy above Thy fellows. (Ps 45:6,7-note)
In another psalm we see a prayer that speaks of His exalted Name...
May His Name endure forever.
May His Name increase as long as the sun shines. And let men bless
themselves by Him; Let all nations call Him blessed. Blessed be the
LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. and blessed be
His glorious Name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His
glory. Amen, and Amen. (Ps 72:17, 18, 19-note)
Spurgeon comments:
It is, and ever will be, the acme of our desires, and the climax of
our prayers, to behold Jesus exalted King of kings and Lord of lords.
He has done great wonders such as none else can match, leaving all
others so far behind that He remains the sole Wonder-Worker; but equal
marvels yet remain, for which we look with joyful expectation.
The Messianic Psalm 110 pictures Jesus exaltation to King of kings...
(A Psalm of David.) The
LORD (God the Father) says to my (David's) Lord (Messiah): "Sit at My
right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet." (Ps
110:1-note)
Isaiah records a prophecy of Jesus' exaltation...
Behold, My servant will
prosper, He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted. (Isaiah
52:13)
Daniel records one of the most glorious descriptions of Messiah's
exaltation...
"And to Him was given
dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men
of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting
dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will
not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14)
Therefore
(1352) (dio)
begins this section explaining that because of this voluntary act of
humility (Phil 2:6-8), God also highly exalted Him, giving Him not
only an exalted position, but also an exalted name.
The contrasts with the
previous section are striking...
Jesus humbled Himself.
God exalted Him.
Jesus sought not a Name for himself.
God gave Him the Name above all others.
Jesus bent His knee to serve others.
God decrees every knee shall bow to Him.
This section although steeped in profound theology remains eminently
practical for the saints at Philippi and for believers of all ages.
Paul is presenting the divine
paradox, foolish to the natural man, that the way up is down. That a
cross precedes a crown. That the road of exaltation by the Father is
paved by humble service to others for the Father's glory.
James
put it this way...
Humble
yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James
4:10)
Peter concurs writing...
Humble
yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you at the proper time (1Pe 5:6-note)
Spurgeon
He stooped, who can tell how low?
He was raised, who shall tell how high? “Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him.”
He threw away his name; he emptied
himself of his reputation. How high is his reputation now! How
glorious is the name that God hath given him as the reward of his
redemptive work!
Highly exalted
(5251)
(huperupsoo from huper = above or high + hupsoo = to elevate) means to exalt to the
highest rank and power, to raise to supreme majesty and refers
to a super-eminent exaltation. The idea is to regard a person as being
exceptionally honored in view of high status—‘to give exceptional
honor.
Vine
explains that the verb exalted...
is in the
aorist (or point)
tense and refers to the
definite act in the past in His resurrection followed by His
ascension, viewed as one great historical event. (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
)
A T Robertson
discussing the phrase "God highly exalted Him" writes that...
Because of Christ’s voluntary
humiliation God lifted Him above or beyond (huper) the state of glory
which He enjoyed before the Incarnation. What glory did Christ have
after the Ascension that He did not have before in heaven? What did He
take back to heaven that He did not bring? Clearly His humanity. He
returned to heaven the Son of Man as well as the Son of God. (Greek
Word Studies)
Kennedy laments that the term Lord
has become one of the most lifeless in the Christian vocabulary,
whereas it really declares the true character and dignity of Jesus
Christ and “is the basis and the object of worship.”
Why is
Robertson's observation so significant? It means that Jesus Christ
still bears the scars of His crucifixion in His hands, side and feet,
scars which will eternally testify to the New Covenant which He cut
with all those who have placed their faith in Him. His covenant scars
bear evidence that once genuinely saved, always saved, for once a
sinner has entered covenant with Jesus, He will never break that
covenant. This picture of the exalted God-Man retaining the scars of
Calvary should comfort all believers regarding the absolute eternal
security of their salvation.
The psalmist
prophesied of Jesus' exaltation writing...
"I (God the Father) also shall make
Him (Messiah) My first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.
(Psalm 89:27)
AND BESTOWED ON HIM
THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME:kai echarisato auto (3SAMI) to
onoma to huper pan onoma: (Ps 89:27; Eph 1:20, 21, 22, 23; Col
1:18; Heb 1:4; 1Pet 3:22)
In Colossians
Paul wrote of Jesus that...
is also head of the body, the
church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead ( the
first one to rise from the dead with a resurrection body); so that
He Himself might come to have first place (to be above all else) in everything. (Col
1:18-
note)
The writer of Hebrews explains that after Jesus
had made purification of sins , He
sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Christ seated
indicates the finished character of His once-for-all sacrifice for
sin); 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has
inherited a more excellent name than they. (see notes
Hebrews 1:3;
1:4)
Bestowed
(5483) (charizomai
[word study] is from
charis =
grace, unmerited favor)
has the basic meaning of to give, and to do so freely and generously.
To grant as a favor. To give gratuitously, generously, graciously and
in kindness. It means to bestow as a gift of grace or out of grace,
and to do so willingly and not under coercion. To give help to those
who don't deserve it. To show grace by providing undeserved help to
someone unworthy (see Eph 4:32)
Vine adds charizomai
means
to bestow a favor
unconditionally...then to remit a debt, and hence to
forgive...Charizomai primarily denotes to show a favor (charis)...In
each case the idea of a free, unconditioned act is involved, and in
all save one or two cases this is the dominant thought, cp. Acts
27:24; Philemon 22 (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
Charizomai - 23x in 19v -
Luke 7:21, 42, 43; Acts 3:14; 25:11, 16; 27:24; Ro 8:32; 1Cor 2:12;
2Cor 2:7, 10; 12:13; Gal 3:18; Eph 4:32; Phil 1:29; 2:9; Col 2:13;
3:13; Philemon 1:22. NAS = bestowed(1), forgave(2), forgive(3),
forgiven(4), forgiving(2), freely give(1), given(1),graciously
forgave(1), granted(5), hand(2), things freely given(1).
Paul used this same verb
charizomai earlier to
explain to the Philippians that...
to you it has been
granted (charizomai = a gift of grace!!!) for Christ's sake, not
only to believe in Him, but also to suffer (Do
you accept suffering as a "gift" beloved? We can only accept it in
this way when we understand that it has a holy even eternal purpose in
the hand of our sovereign God [E.g. conformation to the image of God's
Son Who suffered more than any of us will ever suffer -
Ro 8:29-note]
and is not simply a
random event) for His sake (Php
1:29-note)
Wuest adds
"The word “given” is the translation of the Greek word used when God
in grace freely gives salvation to the believing sinner. It is so used
in Ro 8:32 ("He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give
[charizomai] us all things?"
see note
Ro 8:32). It was an act of grace on the part of God the Father toward
the incarnate Son who had voluntarily assumed a subordinate position
so as to function as the Sin-bearer on the Cross."
Name
(3686)
(onoma) is that by which one is known. For more insight into
the Hebrew meaning of the Names of God see study
Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower.
Paul is not referring here to the physical name as we think of it
today but is using "name" as it was used in Scripture to represent the
total person. In this sense, the Bible uses one's "name" to speak of
the total person, as well as of the office, the rank, and the dignity
attached to the person because of his position. Today we use a name
as little more than a distinguishing mark or label to differentiate
one person from other people. But in the world of the NT the name
concisely sums up all that a person is. One's whole character was
somehow implied in the name. In this passage "name"
speaks not only of the total Person of Christ but also speaks to His
title which supersedes forever every title every given to anyone.
In short, the Name of the Lord is
what He is, it is Himself.
How this truth about "the Name" of
Jesus contrasts with the many "names" by which He was ridiculed and
mocked during the days of His flesh (and is still mocked by the
unbelieving world), names like "a friend of sinners", "blasphemer",
One Who has "lost His senses", etc. Jesus did not live to make His
name great in this world, and yet God made His Name the one that is
supremely exalted forever in the world to come.
Am I living to make a name for
myself on this earth or to lead others to the Name above all names?
Pentecost adds that...
An exalted name indicates that one
is worthy of adoration and praise. In the Old Testament, men praised
and blessed and feared the name of God because the name represented
the whole person of the God who had revealed Himself to them. Now God
has elevated Jesus Christ to a position of authority over the earth
and over heaven and over the expanse of the universe and has attached
to Him all dignity and honor and glory and dominion and majesty so
that men must bow before Him.
(Pentecost,
J. D. The Joy of Living: A study of Philippians. Kregel Publications)
Wuest adds that...
"That
which was graciously bestowed was not “a name,” but “the
Name.” The
definite article ("to" = the) appears in the Greek text and refers to a particular
name. The title, The Name,
is a very common Hebrew title, denoting office, rank, dignity. The
expression, “The Name of God” in the Old Testament, denotes the divine
Presence, the divine Majesty, especially as the object of adoration
and praise. The context here dwells upon the honor and worship
bestowed on Him upon whom this name was conferred. The conferring of
this title “The Name,” was upon the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man. A
Man, the Man Christ Jesus, who as Very God had voluntarily laid aside
His expression of the glory of Deity during His incarnation, now has
placed upon His shoulders all the majesty, dignity, and glory of Deity
itself. It is the God-Man Who stooped to the depths of humiliation,
Who is raised, not as God now, although He was all that, but as Man,
to the infinite height of exaltation possessed only by Deity. It is
the answer of our Lord’s prayer
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:5).
It is the glory of Deity, not now seen shining in infinite splendor as
in His pre-incarnate state, but that glory shining in perfect contrast
to and with His glorified humanity raised now to a place of equal
dignity with Deity. It is the ideal and beautiful combination of the
exaltation of Deity and the humility of Deity seen in incarnate
Deity."
><>><>><>
WHAT'S IN A NAME? - What's
in a name? Plenty, according to Justin Kaplan and Anne Bernays,
authors of the book The Language of Names. "Names penetrate the core
of our being."
In the section of their book where they discuss literary names, Kaplan
and Bernays point out that English novelist Charles Dickens was a
great master at naming his characters. Seth Pecksniff, Wilkins
Micawber, Tiny Tim, Sir Mulberry Hawk, and Thomas Gradgrind are just a
few examples of characters whose names reflect who they are.
For Christians, the name above all other names is Jesus. The angelic
messenger announced, "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save
His people from their sins" (Mt. 1:21). Jesus' name has become the
most exalted and meaningful name on earth and in heaven.
What's in that name? All the grace of God, all the wonder of
redemption, all that we believe, and all that we are hoping for. We
say it, we sing it, and adoration fills our souls. We anticipate the
indescribable glory of that day when every knee will bow and every
tongue, by glad choice or by divine constraint, will praise that
highest and holiest of all names--Jesus! — Vernon C. Grounds
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
The name of Jesus is so sweet,
I love its music to repeat,
It makes my joy full and complete,
The precious name of Jesus. --Martin
The name of Jesus is profanity to the sinner
but heaven's password to the saint.
><>><>><>
THE NAME - Jesus! No other
name draws people together so closely, while at the same time evoking
hatred in others.
In 1999, a political candidate answered a question about who had the
greatest effect on his life by saying, "Jesus Christ. He changed my
heart." This person's honest answer was met with disdain from people
who detest the name of Jesus.
On the other hand, people all over the world who love Christ meet
every week to honor and praise Jesus' name. To them, His name means
love, joy, peace, hope, and forgiveness.
What is it about this name that divides people so clearly? Why do some
treat the name of Jesus with contempt while others hold it in highest
esteem? I think the reason some people can't stand Jesus' name is that
they don't want to be reminded of their sins. Jesus is "the way, the
truth, and the life" (John 14:6), the One who saves us from our sins
(Matthew 1:21). People who refuse to ask for forgiveness from sin
cannot love the name of Jesus. Yet His name "is above every name," and
one day "every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"
(Philippians 2:9,11).
Jesus! Do you love that name? Praise God for that holy name—and tell
others what Jesus has done for you. — Dave Branon
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Jesus—O how sweet the name,
Jesus—every day the same;
Jesus—let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever. —Martin
We honor God's name when we call Him our Father
and live like His Son.
><>><>><>
Above (5228)
(huper) conveys the basic meaning of "over" meaning a degree
which is beyond that of a compared scale of extent. Huper is a
marker of status which is superior to another status.
The Psalmist
foretold of this exaltation writing...
"But as for Me, I have installed My
King Upon Zion, My holy mountain."
7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou
art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.
8 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.
9 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them
like earthenware.'" (Psalm 2:6-9)
Jesus exaltation after His
resurrection was the basis for His declaration to His disciples
that...
"All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mt 28:18-20)
><> ><> ><>
Door Of Humility -- Over the
centuries, the entrance to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity has
twice been made smaller. The purpose in the last case was to keep
marauders from entering the basilica on horseback. It's now referred
to as the "Door of Humility," because visitors must bend down to
enter.
As we age, bending our knees becomes more and more difficult and
painful. In the physical realm, some people courageously undergo knee
replacement surgery. To avoid years of increasingly painful joint
damage, they endure several weeks of agony.
Like physical knees, spiritual knees can grow stiff over time. Years
of stubborn pride and selfishness make us inflexible, and it becomes
increasingly difficult and painful for us to humble ourselves. Seduced
by false feelings of importance when others submit to us, we never
learn that true importance comes from submitting ourselves to God and
to others (Ephesians 5:21; 1Peter 5:5).
As we celebrate Jesus' birth, it's good to remember the Door of
Humility, for it reminds us that we all need new knees-knees that will
bend. Humbly is the only way to enter the presence of God.
What better way to honor the One who bent so low to be with us. —Julie
Ackerman Link (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted
by permission. All rights reserved)
Christ's humble birth should help
us see
What life in Him can bring;
It's not acclaim that we should seek
But service for our King. -Branon
The road to victory is paved with humble submission to God
|
|
|
Philippians
2:10
so that at the
name of
Jesus
EVERY
KNEE WILL
BOW (3SAAS)
of those who are in
heaven and on
earth and
under the
earth (NASB:
Lockman) |
Greek:
hina
en
to
onomati
Iesou
pan
gonu
kampse (3SAAS)
epouranion
kai
epigeion
kai
katachthonion
Amplified:
That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee hould (must) bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth
(Amplified
Bible - Lockman)Barclay:
in order that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and things upon the earth, and things below the earth
KJV:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Lightfoot: For
to the name and majesty of Jesus all created things in heaven and
earth and hell shall pay homage on bended knee;
Phillips: so
that at the name of Jesus "every knee shall bow", whether in Heaven or
earth or under the earth. (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Wuest: in
order that in recognition of THE NAME belonging to Jesus, every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, of things on earth, and of things
under the earth, (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: that in the name of Jesus every knee may bow -- of
heavenlies, and earthlies, and what are under the earth-- |
|
|
SO THAT AT THE
NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW: hina en to onomati Iesou
pan gonu kampsei (3SAAS): (Ge 41:43; Isa 45:23-25; Mt 27:29;
28:18; Ro 11:4; 14:10,11; Eph 3:14; Heb 1:6; Rev 4:10; 5:13,14)
Literally the
Greek reads not "at the Name" but "in the Name of Jesus"
In a manner of
speaking the tongue confesses that to which the knee bows.
So that (2443)
(hina) expresses purpose, specifically the purpose of His
having been given the exalted Name "Lord". For that reason (for that
purpose) "every knee will bow". Ultimately, whether by choice
or by force, every creature, human and angelic, will submit to Jesus
Christ as the divine and exalted Lord.
As MacDonald
phrases it...
Those who will not be reconciled in
the day of His grace will be subjugated in the day of His judgment. (MacDonald,
W., & Farstad,
A.
Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Jesus
Himself foretold of this event some 700 years prior in the book of
Isaiah (from which Paul quotes in part) declaring...
"I have sworn by Myself, the word
has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back,
that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.
They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and
strength.' Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall
be put to shame. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel will be
justified, and will glory." (Isaiah 45:23, 24, 25)
Paul
alludes to this event in Romans writing...
But you, why do you judge your
brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is
written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND
EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." (Ro 14:10, 11-note)
Every (3956)
(pas) means all without exception.
Even those who
mockingly bowed on earth will be forced to bow their knees. Matthew
describes those who mocked him writing...
And after weaving a crown of
thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and
they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of
the Jews!" (Mt 27:29)
The writer of
Hebrews records....
And when He again brings the
first-born into the world (referring to His Second Coming), He says,
"AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM." (He 1:6-note)
Comment: the authority
of the person of Jesus Christ extends to the limits of heaven and
earth and under the earth so that all of the angelic hosts will bow to
acknowledge the superiority and sovereignty and authority of His name
John
wrote that in heaven...
the twenty-four elders will fall
down before Him (Jesus) Who sits on the throne, and will worship Him
who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive
glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and
because of Thy will they existed, and were created." (Rev 4:10-note,
Rev 4:11-note)
And every created thing which is in
heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all
things in them, I heard saying, " To Him who sits on the throne, and
to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and
ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the
elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev 5:13-note,
Rev 5:14-note)
All creation
will render such homage, whether animate or inanimate, whether in
heaven, on earth, or under the earth. Those who do not willingly bow
the knee to Him now will one day be compelled to do so. Those who will
not be reconciled in the day of His grace will be subjugated in the
day of His judgment.
Bow (2578)
(kampto) means to bend, such as the knees, to which it is
applied in the New Testament. Bowing the knee is an act of reverence,
respect, and submission to the person in whose presence we drop to our
knees.
As Edwards
notes...
Again we see the vindication of
servanthood. Christ was willing to make others more important than
Himself and now God has made Christ eternally more important than
anyone else (Philippians)
It is interesting to note
that when a ruling dignitary approaches his subjects, they all rise in
respect. One day as a British king entered a room and everyone stood,
he said,
“Please take your seats,
gentlemen. I’m not the Lord, you know.”
“No, Your Highness,” replied
one of the group. “If you were, we would have dropped to our knees.”
Paul is not
referring to a perfunctory genuflection whenever the
Name of Jesus is mentioned, but a universal acknowledgment of the
majesty and power of Jesus who carried His human name and nature to
heaven.
John upon seeing
the resurrected, glorified Christ wrote...
And when I saw Him, I fell at His
feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do
not be afraid; I am the first and the last and the living One; and I
was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of
death and of Hades. (Rev 1:17-18).
Those to whom
the resurrected, glorified Christ appeared fell on their faces, not
because Scripture commanded them to, not because they were told that
was what they ought to do, but because that was the natural response
to such a revelation of the majesty and glory that belong to the Son
of God.
Pentecost
applies this truth to all believers asking...
As Jesus Christ is lifted up and
His glory is displayed, why do you sit? Why aren’t you on your knees
to give honor, glory, dominion, and majesty to the One whom God has
chosen to exalt as heir to a position, and to clothe with the glory
and majesty of His person, the One before whom every knee must bow and
every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father?
“Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). (Ibid)
This universal
homage to Jesus is described by Paul in Ephesians where he explains
the power available to believers today is the same power...
which He brought about in Christ,
when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in
the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also
in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His
feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church (Eph 1:20,
21-note,Ep
1:22-note)
As someone has well said...
The name of "Jesus" is profanity to the sinner but heaven's password
to the saint.
Spurgeon's
Exposition
Now is he higher than the highest.
Now every one must confess his divinity. With shame and terror, his
adversaries shall bow before him; with delight and humble adoration,
his friends shall own him Lord of all: “that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
See how the greatest glory of Christ is the glory of the Father. He
never desired any other glory but that. The highest honor you can ever
have, O child of God, is to bring honor to your Father who is in
heaven. Do you not think so? I know you do.
Some foolish and superstitious
persons make this passage a pretext for bowing their heads at the name
of Jesus whenever it is mentioned. Nothing can be more senseless,
because the passage means no such thing.
What we are taught here is the
great truth that Jesus Christ, though once he stooped to the lowest
shame, is now exalted to the very highest glory, and even the devils
in hell are compelled to own the might of his power. We are also to
learn from this passage that the way to ascend is to descend. He who
would be chief must be willing to be the servant of all. The King of
kings was the Servant of servants; and if you would be crowned with
honor by-and-by, you must be willing to be despised and rejected of
men now. The Lord give us this gracious humbleness of mind, for Jesus
Christ’s sake! Amen.
OF THOSE WHO
ARE IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH: epouranion kai
epigeion kai katachthonion: (Mt 12:40; Jn 5:28,29; Eph 4:9; Rev
20:13)
There are three
groups described:
(1) In heaven
(2032)
(epouranios from epí = upon, in + ouranos =
heaven) = all the good angels and redeemed believers of all
ages. (2)
On earth (1919)
(epígeios from epí = upon + ge = earth) = would
include both unredeemed and redeemed, the latter group described by
Paul who wrote...
when He comes to be glorified in
His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have
believed-- for our testimony to you was believed. (2Th 1:10)
(3) Under the earth =
the fallen angels and unredeemed dead who are awaiting final judgment
and eternal punishment.
Under
the earth"
(2709) (katachthonios from
kata = down + chthon = ground from a root
word signifying that which is deep) describes the subterranean
place for departed souls. It was a common in secular Greek describing
the underworld where divine beings were thought to be localized.
Wuest adds that...
All creation will render such
homage, whether animate or inanimate, whether in heaven, on earth, or
under the earth.
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in
the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
Indeed First Chronicles
records this amazing truth...
Let the sea roar, and all it
contains. Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then the trees
of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD for He is coming to
judge the earth. (1Chronicles 16:32, 33)
Comment: See also Psalm
148:3-10 where creation is personified as presenting homage to the
Messiah.
Pentecost writes that...
Here is an amazing revelation that,
because of the exaltation of Jesus Christ, even the fallen, unredeemed
angels, and unredeemed, sinful men, who are under eternal
condemnation, will have to bow before the display of the majesty of
the Son of God and acknowledge that the One they despised and rejected
is in truth the exalted Son of God. While in their state of separation
and condemnation they cannot believe to the salvation of their souls,
throughout the unending ages of eternity, even hell itself will
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and acknowledge that the despised
and rejected One whom they delighted to put to the cross was in truth
the absolute Sovereign of the universe. And God will not leave one
single created intelligent being who does not admit to the superior
worth of Jesus Christ. Things in heaven, things in earth, and things
under the earth will bow the knee in reverence and respect and awe at
the majesty of the exalted person of Jesus Christ. (Ibid)
><> ><> ><>
TURNING THE TABLES - GOD has
a way of turning the tables on evil. The French philosopher Voltaire
predicted that Christianity would be swept from existence within one
hundred years. Yet just fifty years after he died in 1779, the German
Bible Society had occupied Voltaire's house and was using his
printing press to produce stacks of Bibles.
During World War II, Adolf Hitler erected a massive stone structure in
Monte Carlo. It was to be a radio station from which to broadcast Nazi
propaganda into North Africa. Today, from that very building, Trans
World Radio beams the Gospel of Christ's redeeming love all across
Europe and into Russia and Africa.
Could these ironies of history be just a hint of the last word Christ
will have at the end of this age? The apostle Paul wrote of a day when
every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that "Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11).
When evil prospers and falsehood seems to triumph over truth, we need
not be discouraged. When we are treated unjustly, we need not despair.
The ironies of history and Paul's words in Philippians 2:1-11 assure
us that the God we serve will have the final word. The righteous will
one day be vindicated.—D J De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted
by permission. All rights reserved)
><> ><> ><>
It's All For Him - All
things were created through Him and for Him. —Colossians 1:16 (note) It's a
little phrase of just t wo
words at the end of Colossians 1:16—"for Him." Yet that little phrase
gives God's own interpretation of history. In those two words He
affirms that Jesus is the final and complete explanation of
everything.
All that has happened and ever will happen is moving through time
toward that climactic hour when every tongue will confess the lordship
of Jesus Christ. Every knee, whether in grateful adoration or under
compulsion, will then bow to Him (Philippians 2:10, 11).
British historian H.A.L. Fisher apparently did not share that view. He
sadly confessed, "Men wiser and more learned than I have discovered in
history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are
concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following upon another
as wave follows upon wave . . . nothing but the play of the contingent
and the unforeseeable."
What about you? Are you overwhelmed by what seems to be the aimless
sequence of events? If so, look once more at Jesus—His life, death,
resurrection, and promised return. Your troubled heart will be filled
with hope and confidence as you realize that there's meaning and
purpose for everything in the world—when you live "for Him." —Vernon C
Grounds (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted
by permission. All rights reserved)
One life to live for Christ my
Lord,
One life to do my part,
One life in which to give my all
With fervency of heart. —Brandt
Christ showed His love by dying for us;
we show
our love by living for Him. |
|
|
Philippians 2:11 and that
every
tongue will
confess that
Jesus
Christ is
Lord, to the
glory of
God the
Father.
(NASB:
Lockman) |
Greek:
tkai
pasa
glossa exomologesetai (3SAMS)
hoti
kurios
Iesous
Christos
eis
doxan
theou
patros
Amplified:
And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
(Amplified
Bible - Lockman)
Barclay:
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the
glory of God the Father. (Westminster
Press)
KJV:
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
Lightfoot:
and every tongue with praise and thanksgiving shall declare that Jesus
Christ is Lord, and in and for him shall glorify God the Father
Phillips: And that is why, in the end, "every tongue shall confess"
that Jesus Christ" is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Wuest: and in order that every tongue should plainly and openly
declare that Jesus Christ is LORD, resulting in the glory of God the
Father (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: and every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
|
|
AND THAT
EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS: kai pasa glossa exomologesetai (3SAMS): (Ps
18:49; Mt 10:32; Jn 9:22; 12:42; Ro 10:9; 15:9; 1John 4:2,15; 2John
1:7; Rev 3:5)
Paul presents
the second phase of Jesus' dominion over all creation. Not only will
all men realize Christ's Lordship but they also will vocalize it. Even
the tongues which have vilified and blasphemed the wonderful Name of
Jesus will one day bless Him, by faith or force and this will result
in further glory unto God the Father. Amen.
Every (3956)
(pas) means all without exception!
Tongue (1100)
(glossa) is literally the tongue but as used in this context
represents a spoken language. Paul's point is clear. No matter what
language a person speaks now, every language will declare Jesus’
lordship.
Confess
(1843)
(exomologeo is from ek = out, out from +
homologeo in turn derived from lego “to
speak” + homos “the same” and so literally meaning to speak
same thing that another speaks” or to agree with someone else) means
to acknowledge, admit openly, agree fully, recognize or to express
agreement with. Exomologeo means also to publicly declare. The
sense here is that of frank, open confession.
Some day, the
entire universe (including Satan) will publicly declare and openly
acknowledge Jesus as Lord, agreeing with God the Father regarding the
testimony which He has given concerning His Son.
It is important
to note that this passage does not teach that ultimately all the lost
will be saved, as taught by many cults. There is no passage in
Scripture that teaches future reconciliation for the lost.
Although the
entire creation will one day confess Jesus as "Lord", only those who
do so during their life will be saved by that confession, Paul writing
that...
that if you confess with
your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man
believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)
The writer of
Hebrews explains that when Christ returns the Second time it will not
be for salvation writing that...
Christ also, having been offered
once to bear the sins of many (His First Coming), shall appear a
second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who
eagerly await Him (Hebrews 9:28) (Comment: when Christ returns
as "King of kings and Lord of lords" as John describes in Rev 19:16,
it is not to take away sins but to rule and reign with those who
confessed Him as Lord during their life and are longing expectantly to
see Him).
THAT JESUS
CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER: hoti kurio Iesous Christos
eis doxan Theou patros: (Ps
110:1; Jer 23:6; Lk 2:11; Jn 13:13; 20:28; Acts 2:36; 10:36; Ro 10:9,
10, 11, 12; 14:9,11; 1Co 8:6; 12:3; 15:47) (Jn 5:23; 13:31,32;
14:13,23; 16:14,15; 17:1; 1Pet 1:21)
The Lordship of Christ is the core of Christianity and the ultimate
purpose of all creation acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord is that God
the Father might be glorified.
Lord
(2962) (kurios) describes one who has absolute ownership and
uncontrolled power and is the translation of a word found in the Greek
translation of the Old Testament to translate Jehovah. Lord
is the title of majesty, authority, honor, and sovereignty. At His
Second Coming Jesus Christ will manifest sovereign authority over all
creation.
Wiersbe ties this profound doctrinal teaching in Philippians
2:9-11 with the idea that Paul is trying to teach the saints at
Philippi about the futility of disunity and discord writing...
The kind of rivalry that pits
Christian against Christian and ministry against ministry is not
spiritual, nor is it satisfying. It is vain, empty. Jesus humbled
Himself for others, and God highly exalted Him; and the result of this
exaltation is glory to God. (Wiersbe,
W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
A T Robertson discussing the name "Lord" writes that...
Kennedy laments that the term
Lord has become one of the most lifeless in the Christian
vocabulary, whereas it really declares the true character and dignity
of Jesus Christ and “is the basis and the object of worship.” (Greek
Word Studies) If you
adore Christ as your Savior, you won't ignore Him as your Lord.
(Our
Savior And King)
In his sermon on Pentecost Peter declared...
"Therefore let all the house of
Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and
Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36)
Thomas who at first doubted Jesus'
resurrection, was compelled to confess Him as Lord when
presented with the clear proof of His deity...
The other disciples therefore were
saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I
shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger
into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe." And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and
Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in
their midst, and said, "Peace be with you."
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here
your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it
into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing."
Thomas answered and said to
Him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Because you
have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and
yet believed."
Many other signs therefore Jesus
also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written
in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have
life in His name. (John 20:24-31)
Thomas Constable writes
that...
The exaltation of Jesus Christ is
as much a motivation for the Christian to live a life of submissive
humility as is His incarnation. God will reward a life of self-denial
now in the future. That is the obvious implication of Paul’s
illustration. Is it not selfish to serve the Lord for a reward? Was it
selfish for Jesus to endure what He did because He knew He would
receive a reward? Motivation is the key. If we submit to God and to
one another for the glory of God rather than for selfish glory, as
Jesus did, our motivation is correct. (Tom
Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible)
William MacDonald puts this
section into the context of the letter noting that...
Before leaving this magnificent
passage on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus, we should repeat
that it was introduced in connection with a minor problem in the
church at Philippi. Paul did not set out to write a treatise on the
Lord. Rather, he was merely seeking to correct selfishness and party
spirit in the saints. The cure of their condition is the mind of
Christ. (Ibid) |
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