Therefore — A Name

A Greek/Roman temple. The idea of Jesus as Lord would have
been repulsive to society. 

Scripture

Phil. 2:9    Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

Observation

Jesus’ humility has been the foundation for this entire epistle to the Philippians. The disunity among the believers was a challenge for Paul, and so he continually called them to a life of discipleship in which they would follow the model before them in Christ. This was a model of humility that would have been disdainful in the eyes of Romans, and yet became transformational to the world. 

Everything that Paul has said brings us to this moment where the scene changes on the pivotal word, “therefore.” Because of all that Christ has done and the model that he has become, God raised him back up. The humiliation led to the exaltation, and what an exaltation that was. The reference here is to a name, one that is above every other name. People have argued as to whether the name Jesus was was the exalted name, but the consensus seems to be on the understanding of Jesus as Lord. 

The concept of Jesus as Lord would not have been lost on anyone in the Roman world. This language was reserved for the Emperor who, himself believed that he was deified. Declaring Caesar as Lord was expected of all good citizens in the empire. Now, Paul is declaring that through the self-willed abasement of Jesus, who died the humiliating death of a slave on a cross, that God raised Jesus up to be Lord — ostensibly, greater than the Emperor. 

The use of the word Lord has specific connotations for the Jews. Throughout the Greek version of the Torah, or Old Testament, the word for YAHWEH was translated as LORD. Most of our translations of the scriptures have LORD in the Old Testament everywhere the original Hebrew would have had YAHWEH. This is the name for God which is revealed to Moses at the burning bush. There is intimacy in this language for it is the revelation of God, himself. Now, it is the act of Jesus’ humility that he is raised up and revealed by the name LORD — which is above every other name on earth. 

Application

This beautiful first-century hymn is placed before the Philippians, and all of us, as a roadmap for the holy life. Disunity has no place within the body of Christ. If there is any arguing, any dissension, it is because we are not living “in” Christ, and nor are we following his path for the holy life. 

My tradition has been known to be a part of the “holiness” association. This was a huge group of individuals, organizations and churches who were inspired to follow the model of Christ in becoming God’s holy people. But somewhere along the line, could we have taken our eyes off of what it truly means to be holy, as Christ is holy? The idea of humility and intentional self-restraint all seem foreign in a world that is clamoring for the rights of the individual. Jesus gave up his personal rights, humbled himself, and shared his power and rights with all of us. 

Understanding the placement of “therefore” in the text is vitally important. Without reading what came before, we take the exaltation of Christ out of context. His Lordship means nothing if we refuse to see his humility. The connection between the two is vital to our Christian lives. To be God’s holy people is to follow the pathway of humility. 

The name that Jesus bears draws us into the journey. In that moment when “Jesus is Lord!” is declared in the Roman Empire there is tension. The way of salvation comes, not through force or violence or the power of the government, but through the Lordship of a Savior who was willing to sacrifice everything he had for the sake of others.  

The beautiful Christological hymn of the Apostle Paul still sings to us and touches our hearts in a dark season. The pain of this world breaks the heart of our Father who sent his Son as the way of salvation. In our own minds his actions may not have made sense but his actions are the way to salvation and a life of holiness. Therefore, we are to follow him on the journey, and participate in the life of the One whose name is above every name — LORD! 

Prayer

Lord, we turn to you in this time of pain and unrest. It’s hard to make sense of all that we are facing in this world, but then we are drawn back to you and act of unselfish love that changes our lives. Empower me, by your Spirit, to follow you on this journey, day in and day out, participating in your acts of unselfish love. Amen.