by Larry Ferrell | January 20, 2018
The statements of Philippians 2:5-11 cover many of the great doctrines that concern our Lord Jesus Christ. They have taken us from the high point of His glory as the eternal Son of God to the low point of His death on the cross. Paul now moves back up again toward his climax – Christ’s exaltation. It is symbolized in the name that is above every name: Lord, the equivalent of God’s own name, Jehovah.

A number of commentators have taught that this supreme name given by God is “Jesus.” But this is incorrect for several reasons. A.J. Motyer argues, “First, no name other than Yahweh [Jehovah] has a right to be called ‘the name above every name.’ Secondly, the movement of verses 9-11 does not stop at the phrase ‘gave the name…,’ but flows straight on to the universal confession that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord,’ which suggests that the significant thing is the ascription of ‘Lord’ in addition to the names already known. Thirdly, verse 10 is a pretty direct quotation of Isaiah 45:23, where Yahweh [Jehovah], having declared Himself to be the only God and the only Savior, vows that He will yet be the object of universal worship and adoration. It’s this divine honor that is now bestowed upon the Lord Jesus Christ.” The full impact of the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord will be seen only when we realize that the name of Lord is above not only all human names but also all of the unique names that have already been given to Jesus.

Why is the name “Lord” the name that is above every name? Why not any of the other titles? Or why not another name entirely? These questions have several answers, but the most important is that the title identifies the Lord Jesus Christ with God. The truth is easily seen in both the Greek and Hebrew usage of the word. The Greek word for Lord is kyrios, the word used by citizens of the Roman Empire to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar. This title was never used of the emperors until they were thought to be deified through a religious ceremony; therefore, it was used as a divine title. The same meaning is present when the word occurs in Hebrew, only more so. The Hebrew word is Adonai. It is a title somewhat like our “sir,” but it assumed an extraordinary importance in Hebrew speech because in practice it replaced the personal name of God, Jehovah. No Jew pronounced the word “Jehovah,” even when reading the Bible. Instead he said, “Adonai.”

Another reason that the name “Lord” is the name above every name is that it indicates that Jesus Christ is sovereign. Jesus rules as God rules. Today He controls even the smallest things of life. One day He will subdue His enemies forever. The doctrine of sovereignty of God or the sovereignty of Jesus Christ has sometimes been called fatalism by enemies of the gospel, but it is not fatalism at all. A belief in fatalism or fate is found in the Moslem religion, where it is referred to as “kismet,” which means the impersonal force by which the universe is believed by Muslims to operate. They believe fate operates in ways that are totally insensitive to the needs or ends of individuals. This is not the Christian teaching. The Bible teaches that the God who controls all things is not an impersonal deity but a God who loves us and who orders the events of our lives to lead us into His perfect and desirable will. It is not meaningless or tragic when difficulties enter your life or when there are temptations. God knows about it and has even permitted it to come in order that He might accomplish something in you that will be for your good. In the moments when these things come you must turn to Him and seek His way. As you do, you can be certain that He is making you more and more into the person He would have you to be.

There is one other great truth contained in the title “Lord.” It also means that Jesus is coming again. In the second chapter of Hebrews the author says of Jesus that God has put “everything under His feet. In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him” (Heb. 2:8). This is wonderful, but at this point a break occurs in the thought, and the author adds, “But now we see not yet all things put under Him.” Jesus is Lord. Jesus is sovereign. But if He is to be Lord completely, He must return to conquer evil and to establish His righteous will forever. Do you look for the Lord’s return? The early Christians looked for His coming, and it gave them strength even in their troubles, even in martyrdom. They had a prayer that expressed this hope. Is your prayer to see Him? To know Him? To see the affairs of the world brought to perfection and to judgment in His own time and in line with His will? It should be. It has always been the great hope and consolation of Christians.

Philippians 2:9-11 Reflection Questions:
What are some unique names that have been given to Jesus?
Is Jesus your God, your Lord and personal Savior?
Do you believe that God is personal (involved in every little thing)?

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