Philippians 2:11
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γλῶσσα
tongue
G1100
γλῶσσα
tongue
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
3 of 12
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ἐξομολογήσηται
should confess
G1843
ἐξομολογήσηται
should confess
Strong's:
G1843
Word #:
4 of 12
to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
κύριος
is Lord
G2962
κύριος
is Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 12
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 12
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
δόξαν
the glory
G1391
δόξαν
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
10 of 12
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
Cross References
1 John 4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.John 13:13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.Romans 14:11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.1 John 4:2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:Romans 14:9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.1 Corinthians 12:3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.John 14:13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.1 Corinthians 8:6But 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.1 Peter 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Historical Context
'Jesus is Lord' (Kyrios Iēsous) was Christianity's earliest, most essential confession. It directly challenged Caesar's claim 'Caesar is Lord' (Kyrios Kaisar), the Roman loyalty oath. Refusing this oath martyred Christians. Confessing Jesus's lordship was political subversion in the empire. The phrase also Christianized Jewish Shema monotheism (Deut 6:4), affirming Jesus's inclusion in divine identity without compromising monotheism. This is Trinitarian theology in embryo.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean today to confess 'Jesus Christ is Lord' in a culture with competing lordships?
- How does Christ's lordship glorify the Father rather than competing with Him?
- What 'lordships' (career, comfort, ideology) need to bow to Christ's lordship in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσηται ὅτι κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ πατρός, kai pasa glōssa exomologēsētai hoti kyrios Iēsous Christos eis doxan theou patros)—Pasa glōssa ("every tongue") parallels "every knee" (v. 10)—universal, comprehensive confession. Exomologēsētai ("should confess, acknowledge openly") is worship, not mere admission. The content: kyrios Iēsous Christos ("Jesus Christ is Lord")—likely the earliest Christian creed (Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 12:3).
Kyrios ("Lord") is the LXX rendering of YHWH. Confessing Jesus as Kyrios is confessing deity. Purpose: eis doxan theou patros ("to the glory of God the Father")—Christ's exaltation glorifies the Father, not competing with Him. The hymn concludes: Christ's humiliation (vv. 6-8) leads to exaltation (vv. 9-11), all for the Father's glory. Trinitarian harmony: Son's obedience and exaltation glorify Father; Spirit enables confession (1 Cor 12:3). This verse completes the Christ-hymn—the highest Christology grounding the humblest ethics (vv. 3-4).