Meaning, commentary and cross references
Philippians 2:10
“so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
NIV · New International Version
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
WEB · World English Bible
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
What does Philippians 2:10 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Philippians 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,.... Which is to be understood, not of the outward act of bowing the knee upon hearing the name, and the syllables of the mere name Jesus pronounced; for in the bare name there can be nothing which can command such a peculiar respect; it was a name common with the Jews: Joshua is so called in Hebrews 4:8; and the name of Elymas the sorcerer was Barjesus: that is, the son of Jesus, Acts 13:6; Now, how monstrously ridiculous and stupid would it be, for a man, upon hearing these passages, and upon the pronouncing of this word, to bow the knee? Moreover, the words ought not to be rendered at, but "in the name of Jesus"; that is, in and by reason…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Philippians 2:1–11
At the name of Jesus; not at the sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus; all should pay a solemn homage. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - every nation and language should publicly own the universal empire of the exalted Redeemer, and that all power in heaven and earth is given to him, Mat 28:18. Observe the vast extent of the kingdom of Christ; it reaches to heaven and earth, and to all the creatures in each, to angels as well as men, and to the dead as well as the living. - To the glory of God the Father. Observe, It is to the glory of God the Father to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will that all men should honour the Son as they…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Philippians 2:5–11
10. Ut in nomine Iesu omne genu flectatur, c?lestium, terrestrium, et infernorum, 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 11. Et omnis lingua confiteatur, quod Dominus Iesus in gloriam est Dei Patris. 5.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Philippians 2:7–13 (WEB)
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Cross references
- Isaiah 45:23–25
I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.
- Matthew 28:18
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Revelation 5:13–14
I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”
- Hebrews 1:6
When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
- Romans 14:10–11
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
- Ephesians 3:14
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Revelation 4:10
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
- Ephesians 1:10
to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.