Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Philippians 2:10 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 2:10 |
King James |
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow - The knee should bow, or bend, in token of honor, or worship; that is, all people should adore him. This cannot mean merely that at the mention of the name of Jesses we should bow; nor is there any evidence that God requires this. Why should we bow at the mention of that name, rather than at any of the other titles of the Redeemer? Is there any special sacredness or honor in it above the other names which he bears? And why should we how at his name rather than at the name of the Father! Besides, if any special homage is to be paid to the name of the Saviour under the authority of this passage - and this is the only one on which the authority of this custom is based - it should be by bowing the knee, not the head. But the truth is, this authorizes and requires neither; and the custom of bowing at the name of Jesus, in some churches, has arisen entirely from a misinterpretation of this passage. There is no other place in the Bible to which an appeal is made to authorize the custom; compare Neal's History of the Puritans, chapter 5. Ninth 5. The meaning here is, not that a special act of respect or adoration should be shown wherever the name "Jesus" occurs in reading the Scriptures, or whenever it is mentioned, but that he was so exalted that it would be proper that all in heaven and on earth should worship him, and that the time would come when he would be thus everywhere acknowledged as Lord. The bowing of the knee properly expresses homage, respect, adoration (compare the notes at Rom 11:4); and it cannot be done to the Saviour by those who are in heaven, unless it be divine.
Of things in heaven - ἐπουρανίων epouraniōn - rather of beings in heaven, the word "things" being improperly supplied by our translators. The word may be in the neuter plural; but it may be also in the masculine plural, and denote beings rather than things. Things do not bow the knee; and the reference here is undoubtedly to angels, and to the "spirits of the just made perfect" in heaven. If Jesus is worshipped there, he is divine; for there is no idolatry eta creature in heaven. In this whole passage there is probably an allusion to Isa 45:23; see it illustrated in the notes at Rom 14:11. In the great divisions here specified - of those in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth - the apostle intends, doubtless, to denote the universe. The same mode of designating the universe occurs in Rev 5:13; Exo 20:4; compare Psa 96:11-12. This mode of expression is equivalent to saying, "all that is above, around, and beneath us," and arises from what appears to us. The division is natural and obvious - that which is above us in the heavens, that which is on the earth where we dwell, and all that is beneath us.
And things in earth - Rather, "beings on earth," to wit, people; for they only are capable of rendering homage.
And things under the earth - Beings under the earth. The whole universe shall confess that he is Lord. This embraces, doubtless, those who have departed from this life, and perhaps includes also fallen angels. The meaning is, that riley shall all acknowledge him as universal Lord; all how to his sovereign will; all be subject to his control; all recognize him as divine. The fallen and the lost will do this; for they will be constrained to yield an unwilling homage to him by submitting to the sentence from his lips that shall consign them to woe; and thus the whole universe shall acknowledge the exalted dignity of the Son of God. But this does not mean that they will all be saved, for the guilty and the lost may be compelled to acknowledge his power, and submit to his decree as the sovereign of the universe. There is the free and cheerful homage of the heart which they who worship him in heaven will render; and there is the constrained homage which they must yield who are compelled to acknowledge his authority. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
At the name of Jesus (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι)
Rev., better, in the name. The name means here the personal name; but as including all that is involved in the name. See on Mat 28:19. Hence the salutation is not at the name of Jesus, as by bowing when the name is uttered, but, as Ellicott rightly says: "the spiritual sphere, the holy element as it were, in which every prayer is to be offered and every knee to bow." Compare Eph 5:20.
Things in heaven, etc.
Compare Rev 5:13; Eph 1:20, Eph 1:22. The words may apply either to all intelligent beings or to all things. The latter is in accord with Paul's treatment of the creation collectively in Rom 8:19-22, and with the Old-Testament passages, in which all nature is represented as praising God, as Psa 148:1-14; Psa 65:13. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| That every knee - That divine honour might be paid in every possible manner by every creature. Might bow - Either with love or trembling. Of those in heaven, earth, under the earth - That is, through the whole universe. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| That at the name of Jesus every knee should how - That all human beings should consider themselves redeemed unto God by his blood, and look for an application of this redemption price; and that all who are saved from their sin should acknowledge him the author of their salvation. In a word, that παν επουρανιων, all the spirits of just men made perfect, now in a state of blessedness; και επιγειων, all human beings still in their state of probation on earth; και καταχθονιων, and all that are in the shades below, who have, through their own fault, died without having received his salvation; should acknowledge him. |
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 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 theirs and ours:
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: