Devine Scripture

Philippians 2:10

What does Philippians 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 2:10 means

God’s purpose in exalting Jesus is universal homage: at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—whether in heaven, on earth, or under the earth. No realm is outside His authority. This is a vision of comprehensive recognition, not merely private devotion. Some will bow in joyful worship; others will bow in compelled acknowledgment. Either way, the risen Lord’s supremacy will be manifest. The verse expands our horizon beyond personal faith to the cosmic scope of Christ’s lordship. It also gives courage in a hostile world: whatever the present opposition, the final word belongs to Jesus, and all creation will ultimately submit to His reign.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that at the name of Jesus every knee may be bent, of those in heaven and those on earth and those in the underworld,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that in the name of Jesus every knee may bow--of heavenlies, and earthlies, and what are under the earth--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly and earthly and infernal [beings],

Context

Verse 10 continues the exaltation theme, describing the reach of Jesus’ lordship that follows from God’s bestowal of the highest name (v. 9). Verse 11 will complete the picture with universal confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, bringing glory to the Father. This grand doxological vision provides ballast for the practical exhortations that follow (vv. 12–18): believers can work out their salvation and shine in a dark world because they belong to the universally reigning Christ whose victory is sure.

v.9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

v.10This passage

v.11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 4:9

    (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

  • Revelation 4:10

    the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

  • Romans 11:4

    But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

  • Matthew 28:18

    And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

  • Ephesians 1:10

    unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say,

  • Hebrews 1:6

    And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

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