Literal interpretation of Philippians 2:10-11

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Hi, I was wondering what is the best way (in your opinion) to interpret Philippians 2:10-11. “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” Does this really mean that all, including the damned in hell will give homage to Christ as God?

Thanks,
Max
 
There can be no correct “literal” interpretation of these verses, inasmuch as demons have neither knees or tongues…
 
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. (DRV)

All who come before the judgement throne of Christ will acknowledge His kingship.

Rev 5:13 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, I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb, benediction and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever.(DRV)
 
But even though the damned and demons intelectually know that Christ is King and Lord, will they really bow down to him, even though they have completely rejected him?
 
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MaxBecher:
But even though the damned and demons intelectually know that Christ is King and Lord, will they really bow down to him, even though they have completely rejected him?
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I think that we can trust that if the Scriptures say it, it will be so. There’s a lot we cannot comprehend this side of eternity, but will be made clear when we’re there! I imagine it will be an awsome sight! 👍

Jeanette
 
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MaxBecher:
Hi, I was wondering what is the best way (in your opinion) to interpret Philippians 2:10-11. “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” Does this really mean that all, including the damned in hell will give homage to Christ as God?

Thanks,
Max
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Sorry for this digression.
The NAB has a better translation “every knee shall bend”. I always find it strange when anyone says your knees can bow. For me knees bend and heads bow.
 
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thistle:
Sorry for this digression.
The NAB has a better translation “every knee shall bend”. I always find it strange when anyone says your knees can bow. For me knees bend and heads bow.
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Elizabethan english and homonymns strike again.

From dictionary.com:
bow2 Audio pronunciation of “bow” ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bou)
v. bowed, bow·ing, bows
v. intr.
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  1. To bend or curve downward; stoop.
  2. To incline the body or head or bend the knee in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
  3. To yield in defeat or out of courtesy; submit. See Synonyms at yield.
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Well, not actually homonymns. Is there a term for words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently?
 
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MaxBecher:
Hi, I was wondering what is the best way (in your opinion) to interpret Philippians 2:10-11. “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” Does this really mean that all, including the damned in hell will give homage to Christ as God?
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On another thread someone suggested “under the earth” could refer to those of us who live “down under”. :rolleyes:
 
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MaxBecher:
Philippians 2:10-11. “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.”
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In case anyone’s still getting hung up with the grammar, the USCCB translation reads as follows: “Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
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MaxBecher:
Does this really mean that all, including the damned in hell will give homage to Christ as God?
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The first thing I’d like to do is point out the fact that, in both cases, the word should is used…so unless this is simply the fault of translation (which is possible), that really doesn’t sound to me much like a prediction about the end of the world, or anything like that. However, assuming (for the sake or argument) that we replace “should” with the common alternative (at least, that I’ve heard) of “shall”…here’s my opinion on the matter.
  1. As far as I know, the Church has not definitively interpreted this particular verse…so it should still be open to (reasonable) private interpretation. If you really really want to, you’re allowed to take it literally, although you’re not required to.
  2. As far as angels and demons go, I personally don’t think that this verse really CAN be taken literally as it applies to them, even if you really want to. Angels and demons are pure spirits…they have no bodies, and thus cannot literally make use the “knees” and “tongues” that they do not have. It would only make literal sense if angels and demons really were exactly like the human-looking figures that we artistically depict them as…but we know that they’re not. However, given a slightly more figurative translation, I think we can understand it as referring to a much broader category of any and/or all acts of praise and adoration on their part before the splendor of God.
  3. Now, as far as human beings in Heaven, on Earth, or in Hell…I don’t see any particular reason why it couldn’t be taken literally, although it doesn’t have to be. Again, as in the case of the angels and demons, “every knee shall bend, every tongue confess” could simply refer to a much broader category of any and/or all acts of praise and adoration on our part before the splendor of God…which can (and probably will) include actions such as physically kneeling down before God. So in this case, I think it can be taken both literally and figuratively…so as to include any and/or all acts of praise and adoration, of which “knees bending” and “tongues confessing” is certainly a part, although it is by no means limited to only that.
  4. Specifically regarding the people (and demons) in Hell…I do that they will certainly understand the fact that Christ is King, but I really don’t think that they will really give praise and adoration to God. I actually think that it might be metaphysically impossible…since those in Hell (who are deprived of the overwhelming glory of the Beatific Vision) have already made the choice to reject God and separate themselves as much as possible from Him, and because God will not force them to accept Him if they really don’t want to. So, although the humans and demons who chose Hell will probably recognize Christ as King (intellectually), I think that they will stubbornly persist in their refusal to repent and return to God, and will therefore be unwilling and/or unable to praise and adore Him as the Saints in Heaven will.
Any comments, agreements, or disagreements would be appreciated. 🙂
 
Eileen T:
On another thread someone suggested “under the earth” could refer to those of us who live “down under”. :rolleyes:
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I knew that one was going to come back to haunt me. 🙂

I am thinking that those under the earth could mean, simply those still in the graves just before the ressurrection.
 
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tjmiller:
There can be no correct “literal” interpretation of these verses, inasmuch as demons have neither knees or tongues…
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So literally the verses don’t apply to demons, only to beings with knees and/or tongues. 😃
 
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MaxBecher:
Hi, I was wondering what is the best way (in your opinion) to interpret Philippians 2:10-11. “That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” Does this really mean that all, including the damned in hell will give homage to Christ as God?

Thanks,
Max
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It’s a Christian application of OT ideas about the universal earthly rule of the Messiah, to the universal Christ. The Messiah was not thought to be God, and was not thought to be a suffering, dying, and rising redeemer - the Messiah of Christian faith, is both. And as His victory is over “sin, death, and the devil”, through the saving act of His crucifixion, his enemies “lick the dust”:​

  • Psa 72:1 A Psalm of Solomon.
  • Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!
  • Psa 72:2 May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice!
  • Psa 72:3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
  • Psa 72:4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor!
  • Psa 72:5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
  • Psa 72:6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
  • Psa 72:7 In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
  • Psa 72:8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
  • Psa 72:9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!
  • Psa 72:10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
  • Psa 72:11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
  • Psa 72:12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
  • Psa 72:13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
  • Psa 72:14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
  • Psa 72:15 Long may he live, may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!
etc…

The Psalm is one of the Messianic Psalms. The passage in Philippians interprets Jewish ideas about the kingship of the Messiah in the light of its faith in Jesus Chrkist and its knowledge of Him; His victory, is unoiversal in the strict sense - it is victory over superhuman powers, by His death on the Cross. All the ideas in the hymn in Philippians 2.5-11 are there for a purpose, they all form part of the meaning of the passage, and, of the mystery of Christ.

The name of Jesus, discloses who he is - that is what names did; they expressed the bearer’s identity. The Name of Jesus, reveals the nature of God - nothing less. As does the self-humiliation of Jesus: that is what God is prepared to do in order to be a Saviour. It’s important to realise that crucifixion was the supreme degradation, the worst of obscenities; and that Deuteronomy declares “him who hangs on a tree” “accursed” (23.21.) Jesus became accursed, a total outcast from God & the Chosen People - something unclean, “ex-communicated”. His glorification by His Father is what remains after He has destroyed sin and death and the devil by His death.

IOW - His victory over them is as complete as one could want. No mere earthly Messiah could do that - or in such a way 😃

It is impossible that He should not be Lord and Messiah, for this the Will of the Father - and all that God Wills, comes to pass: either with us - or despite us. The sin of demons and men in rejecting Him, turns out to be the God-ordained means by which the purposes of God are fulfilled. So he can be received as Lord willingly - or, unwillingly. Either way, He is Lord. ##
 
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