“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name — ara (therefore) marks the reversal: exaltation (hyperypsoō, super-exalted) follows humiliation. God's exaltation vindicates Christ's obedience; the cross is not defeat but the gateway to triumph. 'The name above every name' (onoma to hyper pan onoma) is likely YHWH, Israel's covenant name, now given to Christ. This is maximal Christological claim: Christ receives God's own name. The structure is cosmic: descent to cross, ascent to throne.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:8
Our Lord Jesus Christ, when exhorting His disciples to great actions, places before them Himself, and the Father, and the Prophets, as examples; as when He says, “For thus they did unto the Prophets which were before you” Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23; and again, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” John 15:20; and, “Learn of me, for I am meek” Matthew 11:29; and again, “Be merciful, as your Father which is in heaven is merciful.” Luke 6:36 This too the blessed…
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