Philippians 2:11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "Jesus Christ is Lord" isn't just about acknowledging His authority; the original Greek word emphasizes a full, open, and joyful declaration, moving beyond mere duty to a genuine and radiant testimony. This confession isn't just a private belief but a public proclamation designed to fully reveal the Father's glory through the Son's completed work.
This verse climaxes Paul's profound reflection on Christ's humility and exaltation, following the stunning imagery of Jesus emptying himself. It builds on the preceding verses that describe every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, presenting this ultimate acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord as the divine purpose for his incredible descent and subsequent ascent. This grand universal confession serves to magnify God the Father, highlighting that Christ's lordship is intrinsically tied to the Father's will and glory.
What does it really mean for every tongue to 'confess' Jesus as Lord? It's more than just a simple statement; it's a profound acknowledgment that shapes everything.
Paul uses the Greek word 'exomologesētai,' which carries a sense of open, joyful, and frank acknowledgment. This isn't a reluctant admission or a mere recitation of facts. It's a declaration that flows from a transformed heart, recognizing Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the supreme ruler – 'Lord.' This confession is the direct continuation of the bowing of every knee mentioned in the previous verse. It's the active, verbal expression of that surrendered posture, confirming His ultimate authority.
Think about it: This isn't just about people on Earth confessing. The context of Philippians 2:10-11 suggests this confession spans all of creation – heavenly beings, earthly beings, and even those 'under the earth.' It's a universal declaration of Christ’s sovereignty.
Why is confessing Jesus as Lord so important? It's not just about exalting Jesus; it's about bringing ultimate glory to God the Father.
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The confession isn't an end in itself. The verse clearly states its purpose: 'to the glory of God the Father.' When every tongue acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord, it directly honors God the Father. This is because Jesus' entire work – His incarnation, suffering, death, and exaltation – was done according to the Father's will and plan.
Jesus Himself affirmed this, stating that 'all should honor the Son even as they honor the Father' (John 5:23). The Father has exalted Jesus to this supreme position precisely so that His own glory would be displayed through His Son. Therefore, confessing Christ's lordship is an act of worship that reflects the Father's magnificent plan and attributes, magnifying His name throughout the cosmos.
Understand the original words
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 passage declares that to God, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear, which Paul echoes here by stating that every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord, demonstrating the fulfillment of ancient prophecy in Christ's sovereignty.
Romans 10:9-10Paul explicitly states that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved, directly linking confession of Jesus as Lord to salvation and faith.
John 5:23Jesus Himself declared that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father, providing the foundational theological reason why the universal confession of Jesus as Lord brings glory to God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:25-28This passage describes Christ reigning until all enemies are put under His feet, culminating in Christ Himself being subject to God, which beautifully parallels the ultimate purpose of His Lordship—to bring all things under God's authority and glory.
Revelation 5:12-13This vision of heavenly worship depicts a scene where every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth acknowledges the Lamb who was slain, directly reflecting the universal confession and exaltation of Christ described in Philippians.
vincentPhilippians 2:11: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Confess (ἐξομολογήσεται)See on Matthew 3:6; see on thank, Matthew 11:25; see on Romans 14:11. The verb may also be rendered thank, as Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21, that meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgment. The sense here is that of frank, open confession.To the glory, etc.Connect with confess.
barnesPhilippians 2:11: "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
And that every tongue should confess - Everyone should acknowledge him. On the duty and importance of confessing Christ, see the notes at Romans 10:9-10 . That Jesus Christ is Lord - The word "Lord," here, is used in its primitive and proper sense, as denoting owner, ruler, sovereign; compare the notes at Romans 14:9. The meaning is, that all should acknowledge him as the universa…
The phrase "Jesus Christ is Lord" isn't just about acknowledging His authority; the original Greek word emphasizes a full, open, and joyful declaration, moving beyond mere duty to a genuine and radiant testimony. This confession isn't just a private belief but a public proclamation designed to fully reveal the Father's glory through the Son's completed work.
This verse climaxes Paul's profound reflection on Christ's humility and exaltation, following the stunning imagery of Jesus emptying himself. It builds on the preceding verses that describe every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, presenting this ultimate acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord as the divine purpose for his incredible descent and subsequent ascent. This grand universal confession serves to magnify God the Father, highlighting that Christ's lordship is intrinsically tied to the Father's will and glory.
This verse climaxes Paul's profound reflection on Christ's humility and exaltation, following the stunning imagery of Jesus emptying himself. It builds on the preceding verses that describe every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, presenting this ultimate acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord as the divine purpose for his incredible descent and subsequent ascent. This grand universal confession serves to magnify God the Father, highlighting that Christ's lordship is intrinsically tied to the Father's will and glory.
"and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — The phrase "Jesus Christ is Lord" isn't just about acknowledging His authority; the original Greek word emphasizes a full, open, and joyful declaration, moving beyond mere duty to a genuine and radia…
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