Philippians 2:10-11
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While we often think of bowing the knee as something only people do, this verse expands that concept to all beings, even those in heaven and under the earth. This isn't just about a physical gesture, but a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' supreme authority that extends beyond our earthly realm.
Paul is building on the incredible example of Jesus, who emptied himself and became a servant. This verse is the culmination of Jesus' exaltation, showing the universal acknowledgement of His supreme authority. It echoes Old Testament prophecies about God's ultimate reign, declaring that all creation, visible and invisible, will ultimately bow before Jesus.
Does this verse command us to physically bow every time Jesus' name is spoken? Or is there a deeper meaning at play?
The phrase "at the name of Jesus" (or more accurately, "in the name of Jesus") isn't about a ritualistic bow at the sound of the word. It's about recognizing the entirety of who Jesus is – His authority, His glory, His divine nature – and acknowledging that reality.
Think of it like this: saying "in the name of the President" means acting with their authority and under their power. Similarly, bowing "in the name of Jesus" means acknowledging His sovereign rule and bowing to His inherent authority as God.
This isn't about a mere outward gesture but an inner recognition of His supreme Lordship. It's the spiritual sphere where all true worship and prayer should exist – a sphere defined by Jesus' identity and authority.
Who exactly is included in this universal bowing? Does it really mean everyone and everything?
The verse paints a vast picture of submission, encompassing "things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth." This isn't just a limited group; it's the entire created order.
Beings in Heaven: This includes the angels, who already acknowledge Jesus' divine nature and authority, and the spirits of the redeemed in God's presence. They joyfully bow before Him.
Beings on Earth: This refers to humanity, both those who willingly submit to Jesus in faith and love, and those who will eventually be forced to acknowledge His sovereign rule, even if unwillingly.
Beings Under the Earth: This is a profound category that likely includes the spirits of the departed in Hades, and even fallen angelic beings. While they may not bow in willing adoration, they will be subject to His ultimate judgment and authority. It speaks to the comprehensive scope of Christ's dominion over all creation, visible and invisible.
This grand vision underscores that Jesus' exaltation is not just a theological concept but a cosmic reality that affects every part of existence.
Understand the original words
kampsē · Greek Verb
A physical posture signifying submission, reverence, worship, and recognition of authority. It is the universal acknowledgment of the supreme Lordship of Jesus Christ.
exomologeō · Greek Verb
The act of publicly acknowledging, declaring, or agreeing with a truth. Biblically, it involves a sincere heart confession of Jesus as Lord that leads to salvation.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title denoting supreme authority, ownership, and sovereignty. In the New Testament, it is specifically applied to Jesus, signifying His divine nature and position as the ruler over all creation.
This verse draws directly from Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 45:23) and extends it to Jesus Christ after His ascension. It describes a future, universal acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority, encompassing all realms and beings, not just a custom of bowing at the sound of His name.
c. 700 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Universal Acknowledgment
The prophet Isaiah foretold a future where all nations would look to the Lord's anointed, and all peoples would bow before Him in acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This established a powerful Old Testament concept of universal submission.
c. 30 BC - 10 AD
Roman Empire's Pax Romana
The Roman Empire enforced a period of relative peace and order across its vast territories, standardizing governance and making travel and communication more feasible. This context shaped the spread of the early Christian message.
c. AD 25-35— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christian faith: Jesus' death on the cross and subsequent resurrection, initiating His exaltation by God the Father. This event is the direct cause for the universal acknowledgment described in Philippians.
c. AD 40-50
Early Spread of the Gospel
This Old Testament passage directly inspires Philippians 2:10, prophesying that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to God, a promise Paul applies to Jesus.
Revelation 5:13This vision of heaven echoes Paul's language, describing every created thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth singing praises to God and the Lamb, reinforcing the universal scope of worship.
Romans 14:11Paul quotes Isaiah 45:23 again here, applying it to the reality that all will stand before God's judgment seat, underscoring the inevitability of acknowledging Christ's authority.
Matthew 28:18Jesus declares His absolute authority in heaven and on earth, which directly sets the stage for the universal submission described in Philippians 2:10.
Psalm 110:1This Psalm speaks of the Lord telling His Son to sit at His right hand until His enemies are made a footstool, a concept of sovereign authority fulfilled in Jesus' exaltation and universal dominion.
vincentPhilippians 2:10: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;"
At the name of Jesus (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι)Rev., better, in the name. The name means here the personal name; but as including all that is involved in the name. See on Matthew 28:19. Hence the salutation is not at the name of Jesus, as by bowing when the name is uttered, but, as Ellicott rightly says: "the spiritual sphere, the holy element as it were, in which…
barnesPhilippians 2:10: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;"
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow - The knee should bow, or bend, in token of honor, or worship; that is, all people should adore him. This cannot mean merely that at the mention of the name of Jesses we should bow; nor is there any evidence that God requires this. Why should we bow at the mention of that name, rather than at any of the other t…
While we often think of bowing the knee as something only people do, this verse expands that concept to all beings, even those in heaven and under the earth. This isn't just about a physical gesture, but a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' supreme authority that extends beyond our earthly realm.
Paul is building on the incredible example of Jesus, who emptied himself and became a servant. This verse is the culmination of Jesus' exaltation, showing the universal acknowledgement of His supreme authority. It echoes Old Testament prophecies about God's ultimate reign, declaring that all creation, visible and invisible, will ultimately bow before Jesus.
Paul is building on the incredible example of Jesus, who emptied himself and became a servant. This verse is the culmination of Jesus' exaltation, showing the universal acknowledgement of His supreme authority. It echoes Old Testament prophecies about God's ultimate reign, declaring that all creation, visible and invisible, will ultimately bow before Jesus.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Philippians 2:10-11 is available in the Sola app.
The apostles and early Christians began actively spreading the message of Jesus' lordship throughout the Roman Empire, encountering diverse cultures and facing opposition.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Writes Philippians
The Apostle Paul, likely imprisoned in Rome, writes his letter to the church in Philippi. He uses this powerful theological statement to encourage humility and unity among believers.
c. AD 95
Revelation's Vision of Worship
The Book of Revelation describes a vision of all creation, including every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, bowing before God and the Lamb (Jesus), echoing and amplifying the concept found in Philippians.
"so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — While we often think of bowing the knee as something only people do, this verse expands that concept to all beings, even those in heaven and under the earth. This isn't just about a physical gestur…
