Philippians 2:9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὑπερύψωσεν
hath highly exalted
G5251
ὑπερύψωσεν
hath highly exalted
Strong's:
G5251
Word #:
6 of 14
to elevate above others, i.e., raise to the highest position
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐχαρίσατο
given
G5483
ἐχαρίσατο
given
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
8 of 14
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὄνομα
a name
G3686
ὄνομα
a name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
10 of 14
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.Hebrews 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.Isaiah 52:13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.Revelation 5:12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.Daniel 7:14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.Hebrews 1:4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Psalms 89:27Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures valued exaltation. But Christian exaltation comes through humiliation, not around it. This inverts worldly wisdom: the way up is down. Resurrection and ascension vindicated Christ's obedience. 'Name above every name' alludes to Isaiah 45:23 (every knee shall bow to YHWH), applied to Jesus (v. 10-11). Early Christians saw this as Jesus's deity-affirmation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's exaltation of Christ 'because' of His humiliation shape your understanding of suffering?
- What is the 'name above every name,' and what does it mean that God 'gave' it to Jesus?
- How does the humiliation → exaltation pattern give hope in your current trials or obscurity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (διὸ καὶ ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ὑπερύψωσεν καὶ ἐχαρίσατο αὐτῷ τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα, dio kai ho theos auton hyperypsōsen kai echarisato autō to onoma to hyper pan onoma)—Dio ("wherefore, for this reason") links exaltation to humiliation: because Christ humbled Himself, God exalted Him. Kai ho theos ("God also") highlights Father's response to Son's obedience. Hyperypsōsen ("highly exalted, super-exalted") is compound: hyper ("above") + hypsoō ("lift up")—exalted to the highest place.
Echarisato ("graciously gave," from charis, "grace") shows exaltation as gift, though earned by obedience. A name which is above every name (τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα, to onoma to hyper pan onoma)—the name is "Lord" (Κύριος, Kyrios, v. 11), the LXX translation of YHWH. God gives Jesus the divine name, signaling full divine status post-resurrection/ascension. The pattern: humiliation → exaltation establishes gospel paradox and Christian hope.