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.
Original Language Analysis
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
1 of 17
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γάρ,
For
G1063
γάρ,
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 17
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὅτι
G3754
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 17
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 #:
14 of 17
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ἐξομολογήσεται
shall confess
G1843
ἐξομολογήσεται
shall confess
Strong's:
G1843
Word #:
15 of 17
to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully
Cross References
Psalms 72:11Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.Isaiah 49:18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.1 John 4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.Romans 15:9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.Numbers 14:21But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.Matthew 10:32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.Revelation 5:14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.Ezekiel 5:11Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.Numbers 14:28Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
Historical Context
Isaiah 45:23 is monotheistic polemic—Yahweh alone is God, all will acknowledge Him. Paul applies this OT Yahweh-text to Jesus (Philippians 2:10-11), evidencing high Christology: Jesus shares divine identity. Early Christians used this text against emperor worship—Caesar demands knee-bowing, but Christ alone deserves universal submission. At the final judgment, all pretensions crumble; every human judge is judged. This eschatological vision relativizes present disputes—why fight over dietary laws when soon all will confess Christ's Lordship?
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty that 'every knee shall bow' (<em>pan gony kampsei</em>) to Christ affect your current posture toward Him and others?
- What's the difference between willingly bowing now (as worshiper) versus unwillingly bowing later (as condemned rebel)?
- If you'll 'confess to God' (<em>exomologēsetai tō theō</em>) for your own stewardship, how does that curb judging others' stewardship on disputable matters?
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Analysis & Commentary
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God—Gegraptai gar, Zō egō, legei kyrios, hoti emoi kampsei pan gony, kai pasa glōssa exomologēsetai tō theō (γέγραπται γάρ, Ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει κύριος, ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ, καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ θεῷ). Paul quotes Isaiah 45:23, where Yahweh swears by Himself (Zō egō, 'as I live')—the strongest possible oath. Pan gony kampsei (every knee will bow) signals universal submission. Pasa glōssa exomologēsetai (every tongue will confess) means public acknowledgment, not mere intellectual assent.
Paul applies this to Christ (Philippians 2:10-11 makes it explicit: 'every knee bow...confess Jesus Christ is Lord'), demonstrating Christ's deity. If every knee will bow to Christ, judging His servants now is absurd—you'll bow before Him soon enough. Exomologeō (ἐξομολογέω, confess) has two senses: confess sins (acknowledge guilt) or confess praise (acknowledge sovereignty). The context favors praise—all will acknowledge Christ's rightful rule, whether willingly (believers) or unwillingly (rebels).