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Philippians 2

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

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

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

What does Philippians 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Philippians 2:11 is a proclamation of the deity and lordship of Jesus Christ, and its ultimate purpose is the glorification of God the Father.

The verse falls within a larger hymnic passage that describes the incarnation, humility, death, and exaltation of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11).

Literally, the verse enjoins that every being should verbally acknowledge Jesus Christ as 'Lord'.

This confession is not merely to be understood as a statement of belief; it carries a deeper meaning of allegiance, worship, and submission to His authority.

The phrase implies a universal recognition of Jesus' sovereignty and divine status.

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

Philippians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Philippi.

Composed around AD 62 while Paul was imprisoned, the letter includes themes of joy, unity, humility, and perseverance.

Ancient Philippi was a Roman colony, and inhabitants were actively involved in the imperial cult, worshipping the emperor as a god.

Against this backdrop, the declaration of Jesus as Lord is both radical and subversive because it asserts that no earthly authority, including the emperor, is supreme.

This verse represents a countercultural stance that highlights a commitment to divine kingship over and above any earthly powers.

Theological Insights

The declaration "Jesus Christ is Lord" provides significant theological insights:

Christological Identity: The title 'Lord' (Gr. Kyrios) applied to Jesus indicates divine status.

It is used in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) to translate the divine name YHWH, and thus identifying Jesus as Lord aligns Him with God.

Eschatological Fulfillment: The universal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord is often seen as an eschatological event, related to the end times when Christ's lordship will be universally recognized.

It reflects the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

Trinitarian Relationship: This verse implies the relational dynamics within the Trinity, as the glorification of Jesus is to the glory of God the Father, suggesting a mutual glorification between the Son and the Father.

Different Christian traditions emphasize various aspects of these insights.

For example, Eastern Orthodox theology places a strong emphasis on theosis (deification) which reflects a participation in divine glory, while Western Christianity might emphasize the juridical aspect of lordship and salvation.

Practical Applications

The acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord has several practical applications:

Spiritual Allegiance: Believers are called to a life of obedience and service to Christ, submitting to His will and commandments as a reflection of His lordship.
Unity and Identity: In a diverse and pluralistic society, this verse can help Christians affirm their primary identity in Christ, creating unity among believers of different backgrounds.
Worship: Recognizing Jesus as Lord shapes the way worship is conducted, focusing on the exaltation of Christ and God's glory.

Cross-References

Isaiah 45:23 – "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."
Romans 14:11 – "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
1 Corinthians 8:6 – "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

Language Study

The key words in Philippians 2:11 in the original Greek language are:

Kyrios (κύριος): Translated as "Lord", it was a title of respect and honor, recognizing authority and divine status.
Exomologeo (ἐξομολογέω): Translated as "confess", it implies not only agreement but also public declaration, praise, or commitment.

Their usage indicates both the power and the public declaration inherent in acknowledging Jesus as Lord.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Philippians 2:11, the notion of a divine being descending to earth and being exalted can draw comparisons to various ancient myths and religions. For example, in Greco-Roman mythology, gods often interacted with humans and had stories of descent and ascent.

However, the Christian narrative is unique in its emphasis on the incarnation's humility and the idea of a divine being sacrificing Himself for humanity's redemption.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly inform the interpretation of Philippians 2:11, as it deals with theological and metaphysical claims outside the purview of empirical science.

Science approaches the workings of the natural world, while this verse addresses the spiritual realm and divine authority.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Philippians 2:11 provide various insights:

Classic Commentary: Matthew Henry remarks on the verse’s indication of Christ's ultimate dominion and the duty of all creatures to acknowledge His lordship.
Contemporary Commentary: N.T.

Wright focuses on the cosmic scope of Jesus' lordship and its implications for Christian worship and mission.

Critical Commentary: Commentators like Gordon Fee explore the textual and grammatical nuances and how they relate to the theological themes of Christ's exaltation and divine identity.

Philippians 2

Philippians 2

What does Philippians 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Philippians 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?