What does it mean that Jesus has the name above all names?

Answer

In Philippians 2:9–11, we learn that Jesus has been given the name above all names: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” What was Paul trying to convey when he mentioned that God bestowed upon Jesus the name above all names?

In this passage, the apostle urges believers to nurture a spirit of humility. He presents them with a role model to follow, namely, Jesus Christ, who epitomizes humility. He explains in verses 6–9 that Jesus, being God and eternally divine, did not cling to His equality with God. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself and willingly took on the form of a servant. He relinquished His divine rights and privileges to lead a life of humble service and obedience, even to the extent of enduring a brutal death on the cross for the sake of sinners.

As a consequence of Jesus Christ’s self-emptying and humility, God elevated Him to the highest place of honor. Jesus, who descended to the lowest depths, was exalted by the Father to a glorious position in heaven. The name that surpasses all others is the supreme name—the divine title of Lord. This title affirms Jesus Christ’s absolute sovereignty as the divine Ruler of the cosmos, granting Him the authority to be worshipped.

It was a profound act for the Son of God to take on human form. Assuming the role of a servant was an even greater act of humility. Yet, Jesus went a step further. He willingly faced one of the most degrading forms of execution as a condemned criminal on a cross. Following His humility and obedience, God elevated Jesus to His rightful place of honor. Following Christ’s triumphant resurrection from the dead, God bestowed glory upon His humble, obedient Son: “Bec

Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” «looking 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. », (Hebrews 12:2, NLT).

When Paul said, “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth” «that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; », (Philippians 2:10, CSB), the emphasis was on every creature in the universe acknowledging Jesus as Lord over all creation. When he stated, “Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (verse 11, CSB), he meant that every living thing, both in heaven and on earth, will honor Christ. Heavenly forces and demonic powers, people who reject Christ and His faithful in the church—all will bow before Him (Isaiah 45:23-24). Every tongue will acknowledge Jesus for who He is—the Sovereign Lord of the universe.

The verses stating that all creation will honor Jesus Christ do not mean that everyone will be saved. Instead, they point to the time when every being acknowledges His authority. The exalted Christ, who sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand «If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. », (Colossians 3:1) is Lord over all (Acts 10:36;Romans 10:12). He has the supreme Name; He is Lord of lords and.King of kings (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). He is the one Lord, “Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live” «but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. », (1 Corinthians 8:6, NLT). Jesus is Lord of both the dead and the living «For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. », (Romans 14:9). He is the Lord upon whom the church calls «unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s: », (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is our Mediator (Hebrews 3:1-6; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24), Intercessor (Hebrews 7:24-25; Romans: 8:34), Reconciler (Ephesians 2:12-17; Romans 5:1), and the One who gives us entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (Hebrews 4:1, 11; 6:19-20).

Jesus has the name above all names because Jesus Christ is Lord! This name, given to Him by the Father, affirms His divinity and supreme authority.