Philippians 2:9– Highly exalted

Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name…

With the word “therefore,” Paul brings his argument to its climax. Christ Jesus emptied Himself, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death—even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him. His exaltation is God’s answer to His voluntary humiliation.

It is striking that from this point onward, God becomes the acting subject. Christ Jesus did not exalt Himself; God exalted Him. He did not regard being equal with God as something to be grasped, but received that exalted position from the hand of His Father. Thus, verse 9 forms the crowning conclusion to Paul’s description of Christ’s mindset.

The entire passage began with the exhortation, “Have this mindset among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Here Paul shows how highly God values that mindset. He demonstrates His approval not merely in words, but in deeds. Christ Jesus humbled Himself to the uttermost; therefore God exalted Him to the highest place. The deepest humiliation is answered by the highest exaltation. God not only raised Him from among the dead, but exalted Him above every rule, authority, power, and dominion. No stronger confirmation of Christ’s mindset could be imagined.

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