Philippians 2:10
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
at the name--rather as Greek, "in the name." bow--rather, "bend," in token of worship. Referring to Isa 45:23; quoted also in Rom 14:11. To worship "in the name of Jesus," is to worship Jesus Himself (compare Phi 2:11; Pro 18:10), or God in Christ (Joh 16:23; Eph 3:14). Compare "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (that is, whosoever shall call on the Lord in His revealed character) shall be saved" (Rom 10:13; Co1 1:2); "all that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (compare Ti2 2:22); "call on the Lord"; Act 7:59, "calling upon . . . and saying, Lord Jesus" (Act 9:14, Act 9:21; Act 22:16). of things in heaven--angels. They worship Him not only as God, but as the ascended God-man, "Jesus" (Eph 1:21; Heb 1:6; Pe1 3:22). in earth--men; among whom He tabernacled for a time. under the earth--the dead; among whom He was numbered once (Rom 14:9, Rom 14:11; Eph 4:9-10; Rev 5:13). The demons and the lost may be included indirectly, as even they give homage, though one of fear, not love, to Jesus (Mar 3:11; Luk 8:31; Jam 2:19, see on Phi 2:11).
Open source ↗The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to several duties, to be like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he presses from the example of Christ (Phi 2:1-11), to be diligent and serious in the Christian course (Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13), and to adorn their Christian profession by several suitable graces (Phi 2:14-18). He then concludes with particular notice and commendation of two good ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom he designed to send to them (Phi 2:19-30).
Open source ↗2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt down before Him to mock Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”