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. Philippians 2:8-9
At birth, Jesus was given a name, Jesus, which signified His purpose: the salvation of His people from their sins ( Matthew 1:21). To accomplish this purpose of saving His people, He humbled Himself, became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Upon the fulfillment of His purpose of saving His people, God exalted Him, and gave Him a name which is above all names.
Quite often, we assume that the name above all names is His birth name, Jesus, but it is not because the name in question is the one that was given to Him because of His accomplishments on the cross. This is a name of exaltation, whereas, His birth name, Jesus, was a of purpose, which was to save His people from their sins. The former was, properly speaking, a title of accomplishment, not a name in the proper sense of a name.
These are two different names. But you may ask, why, then, did verse 10 say that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow? Don't forget that Jesus was not given to Him after the cross, but before His birth, so, when, after the cross, He was given a name, that name cannot be the same name that He had from birth. Actually, verse 9 should have been better rendered as "the Name", and not "a name". When thus understood, you can then see what is implied, that is, that Jesus was given a title above all names or better still, above all titles.
Remember that everyone who has a title had a name before the title is bestowed upon him. Usually, a title is an emblem of achievement bestowed upon a worthy person, whereas a name is always a reference to purpose. Verse 11 clearly makes known what that title is that was given to Jesus: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The idea is this, each time the name of Jesus is mentioned, the title of Lord is automatically invoked. It is this title that distinguishes His birth name, Jesus, from that of everyone who is called by the same birth name as Him.
Toni
At birth, Jesus was given a name, Jesus, which signified His purpose: the salvation of His people from their sins ( Matthew 1:21). To accomplish this purpose of saving His people, He humbled Himself, became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Upon the fulfillment of His purpose of saving His people, God exalted Him, and gave Him a name which is above all names.
Quite often, we assume that the name above all names is His birth name, Jesus, but it is not because the name in question is the one that was given to Him because of His accomplishments on the cross. This is a name of exaltation, whereas, His birth name, Jesus, was a of purpose, which was to save His people from their sins. The former was, properly speaking, a title of accomplishment, not a name in the proper sense of a name.
These are two different names. But you may ask, why, then, did verse 10 say that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow? Don't forget that Jesus was not given to Him after the cross, but before His birth, so, when, after the cross, He was given a name, that name cannot be the same name that He had from birth. Actually, verse 9 should have been better rendered as "the Name", and not "a name". When thus understood, you can then see what is implied, that is, that Jesus was given a title above all names or better still, above all titles.
Remember that everyone who has a title had a name before the title is bestowed upon him. Usually, a title is an emblem of achievement bestowed upon a worthy person, whereas a name is always a reference to purpose. Verse 11 clearly makes known what that title is that was given to Jesus: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The idea is this, each time the name of Jesus is mentioned, the title of Lord is automatically invoked. It is this title that distinguishes His birth name, Jesus, from that of everyone who is called by the same birth name as Him.
Toni
