Philippians 2:9–11

Context

This passage is part of Philippians, the letter Paul sent to the church at Philippi. Paul is understood to have written the letter while imprisoned (Philippians 1:13). Earlier in chapter 2 he urges his readers to put aside strife and vainglory and to esteem others better than themselves, exhorting them, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (2:5). Verses 6–11 are commonly called the "Christ Hymn." Verses 6–8 describe how Christ took the form of a servant and humbled himself even unto death on the cross. Verses 9–11, introduced by "Wherefore," describe how God exalted him. The passage is thus structured so that exaltation follows humiliation.

Interpretation

• Humiliation and exaltation: The Reformed tradition reads this passage as a principal text illustrating Christ's humiliation and exaltation. The Westminster Shorter Catechism likewise distinguishes these two states, placing the resurrection, the Ascension, the sitting at the right hand of God, and the Second Coming under the state of exaltation.
• A basis for Christ's divinity: The phrases "every knee should bow" and "every tongue should confess" apply to Jesus the worship that God, in Isaiah 45:23, claims for himself alone. On this basis many commentators regard the passage as a key text for Christology. They also note that "Lord" (Greek kyrios) is the word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to render the name of God.
• "A name which is above every name": Interpreters differ on whether this name is the title "Lord" or the name "Jesus" itself. Many hold that it is "Lord," on the basis of the confession in verse 11.

Debates and Issues

• The subordinationist controversy: In the fourth century, proponents of Arianism cited "God also hath highly exalted him" as evidence that the Son was originally lower and was later exalted. Athanasius is known to have answered this by interpreting the statement as referring to Christ in his incarnate state.
• Universal confession and salvation: A minority view reads the statement that every being will bow the knee as meaning that all will ultimately be saved. Most denominations reject this interpretation, distinguishing between confession that arises from faith and the acknowledgment that will be made at the Last Judgment.
• Origin of the hymn: Scholars disagree as to whether Paul composed the hymn himself or quoted a hymn already sung in the early church.
• "Things under the earth": Some interpret this phrase as referring to the dead, while others hold that it also includes evil spiritual beings.

Liturgical and Homiletical Use

The Revised Common Lectionary, a scheme of Scripture readings arranged according to the liturgical year, assigns Philippians 2:5–11 as the epistle reading for Palm Sunday. Consequently, churches that follow the lectionary often read it around Holy Week. In Korean churches the passage is also widely used as a sermon text on humility and obedience.

Related Passages

• Philippians 2:5–8
• Isaiah 45:23
• Romans 14:11
• 1 Corinthians 12:3
• Ephesians 1:20–21