Philippians 2:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Philippians 2:11
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Chapter Context
Philippians 2 is a friendship epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, holiness, discipleship. Written during Paul's Roman imprisonment (c. 60-62 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church in this Roman colony maintained partnership with Paul despite his imprisonment.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-30: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Philippians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Philippians 2:11
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- References Jesus: 1 Corinthians 8:6, 12:3, 1 John 4:2, 4:15
- References Christ: Romans 14:9
- References Lord: John 13:13
- References God: Romans 14:11
- Glory: John 14:13, 1 Peter 1:21
- Parallel theme: Revelation 3:5