Philippians 2:9-11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
King James Version
Universal acknowledgment of Christ's Lordship by all creation, fulfilling Isaiah 45:23's worship of the one God.
Fulfillment References
Isaiah 45:23 Revelation 5:13 Romans 14:11
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalGod 'hath given him a name which is above every name' — the name of Jesus — that at it every knee should bow. Paul applies to Jesus the words of Isaiah 45:23, where the LORD (YHWH) swears every knee shall bow to Him alone. Therefore Jesus is the LORD; the one God's incommunicable honor is given to the name of Jesus, 'to the glory of God the Father' — Father and Son not two Gods, but the one God revealed and exalted in Christ.
JewishThe background, Isaiah 45:23, is a strict monotheistic oath — every knee bows to YHWH alone; Judaism does not apply it to Jesus.
CatholicThe exaltation of the humbled, incarnate Christ and the universal lordship of His name; the kenosis hymn (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantThe exalted Lord Jesus before whom all creation bows; Paul's use of Isaiah 45:23 ascribes divine lordship to Christ.
AcademicAn early Christ-hymn; applying Isaiah 45:23 (a strict-monotheism text) to Jesus is a landmark of early high Christology (much discussed since Hurtado and Bauckham).
Open the full interactive entry →
Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.