“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth — the citation of Isaiah 45:23 ('every knee shall bow to me') originally applied to YHWH; now it applies to Jesus. The triadic cosmology (heaven, earth, underearth) encompasses all creation; none escape the confession. 'At the name of Jesus' (en tō onomati Iēsou) suggests that hearing or invoking his name triggers submission. This is eschatological prophecy being fulfilled: universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship. The hymn's movement is complete: from cosmic preeminence through self-emptying to cosmic vindication.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:9
I have stated the views of the heretics. It is befitting that I now speak of what is our own. They say that the words, “He counted it not a prize,” are of wrongfully seizing. We have proved, that this is altogether vapid and impertinent, for no man would exhort another to humility on such grounds, nor in this sort does he praise God, or even man. What is it then, beloved? Give heed to what I now say. Since many men think, that, when they are lowly, they are deprived of their…
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