PHP 2:10 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:27–2:11: Paul encouraged the Philippians to live as true followers of Christ

Paul encouraged the Philippians to act as believers should, to agree with each other and to be courageous when they spoke to other people about Christ. Since they lived among many people who were opposed to the gospel, they should expect to defend their faith. They should also expect to suffer because they trusted in Christ.

Paragraph 2:9–11

After Christ had obediently humbled himself, God exalted Christ and gave him the highest possible honor and authority. By using this example, Paul implied that God would also honor those of his people who obediently humbled themselves.

2:10a

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

God did this so that every being will kneel down in submission to Jesus,
God did this in order that everyone will bow in respect to the person of Jesus,

that: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word hina here:

It indicates purpose. God gave Christ the highest authority in order that every knee should bow to him. 2:10–11 shows the purpose for 2:9. (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NET, GW)
It indicates result. God gave Christ the highest authority with the result that every knee will bow. (GNT, CEV)

Interpretation (1) has much stronger commentary support, and it is recommended that you follow it.

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow: The name Jesus refers to the person Jesus, who is Christ, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. God desires that everyone should acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of all.

at the name of Jesus: There are at least three ways to interpret this expression. These interpretations depend on two things:

what the Greek word en means (translated as at in the BSB);
whether Paul was referring to the literal name Jesus here, or to the person that the name represents, or to both.

The three main interpretations are:

The phrase means “in honor of Jesus.” People should bow to honor the person Jesus. Jesus himself is the one to whom they show respect.
The phrase means “at the name of Jesus.” When people hear the name Jesus they should bow, because they will know whom it represents.
The phrase means “in the name of Jesus.” People should bow and worship in Jesus’ name on the basis of all that his name implies: he is the person God has exalted above all others.

Most English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The phrase the name of Jesus is probably a figure of speech referring to Jesus himself.

every knee should bow: This is a Hebrew way of saying that everyone should kneel down. It implies that they bow to show that they are submitting to someone or worshiping someone.

every knee: This refers to all people and all beings capable of bowing to someone. God’s desire is that all people willingly bow and submit to Jesus. But willing or not, one day everyone will submit to Jesus. The knee that bows represents the person who submits himself, his whole person, to a greater authority.

should bow: The verb that the BSB translates as should bow is a form of the Greek word which shows purpose. In this context God is the one whose purpose it is that all should bow. So it is certain that it will happen.

In the Old Testament culture, the act of kneeling implied that a person especially needed something or was showing a very humble and respectful attitude. However, in some cultures people do not kneel to show respect. So in some languages it is necessary to say “humble themselves” instead of the literal bow or kneel. In other languages it is necessary to include both the action and the attitude. For example:

kneel down to show respect

Here are two ways to translate this entire clause:

God did this so that everybody will show respect to Jesus.

God did this so that every person will humble himself before Jesus.

2:10b

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

whether they are in heaven or on earth or under the surface of the earth.
including those in heaven, those on earth, and those in the world of the dead.

in heaven: The literal Greek here means “of those in heaven.” The Greek does not say what kind of beings or creatures. The phrase most likely refers to angels and possibly to people who have died and gone to heaven.

on earth: The phrase on earth means “of those] on earth.” This refers mainly to people on earth. But some commentators include also animals and other living things, and evil spirits who have authority in the world.

under the earth: This phrase means “of those under the earth.” There are many different suggestions about what this refers to. The most widely supported view is that it refers to people who have died. It may include evil spirits.Other views are: Some say the phrase “under the earth” refers to all dead people, including both the good and the bad. Others say that the phrases “in heaven…on earth…under the earth” represent all spiritual beings, including humans. A few say that these phrases should not be limited to living things, but that all that God has created will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. This includes things that have life and things that do not have life.

This third phrase under the earth is probably the hardest of the three phrases in 2:10b to translate. In some cultures a literal translation is meaningless. Possible translations are:

those in the deep places of the earth

those who are dead

spirits of dead people

General Comment on 2:10b

The three groups of beings listed in 2:10b clearly are intended to cover all beings everywhere that God has created. The point is to make it clear that all creatures everywhere will submit to Jesus Christ, not to describe the three different groups in detail. One possible way of making this clear would be:

All created beings, whether in heaven, on the earth or beneath the earth.

General Comment on 2:10

It will not be grammatically possible in all languages to end a sentence with a list, as in 2:10b. So it may be necessary to move 2:10b to the middle or the beginning of 2:10a. For example:

…so that at the name of Jesus everybody—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—will kneel

…so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus. (JB)

General Comment on 2:10

Remember that this is a kind of poetry in Greek and is rich in word pictures (knee, tongue, earth, heaven). Try to keep as many of these word pictures as you can, but be sure the meaning remains the same.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἵνα

in_order_that

The phrase so that connects this verse with the preceding verse, [2:9](../02/09.md) and shows that this verse and the next verse are the result of [2:9](../02/09.md). Use the most natural form in your language to show this connection.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ, πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ

at the name ˱of˲_Jesus (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἵνα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ παν γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων καί ἐπιγείων καί καταχθονίων)

Here, every knee bending is an idiomatic way of saying that Jesus will be worshiped and honored by all. If this would be clear in your language, consider using this expression, but If it would be helpful in your language, consider using an equivalent expression to communicate the idea of worship.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ, πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ

Here, name is a metonym for the person, telling who it is they will worship. Alternate translation: [before the person of Jesus] or [every person and being will worship Jesus]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἐπιγείων καὶ καταχθονίων

˱of˲_heavenly (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἵνα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ παν γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων καί ἐπιγείων καί καταχθονίων)

Paul uses the phrase in heaven and on earth and under the earth to include to all beings, including human beings and angels. This phrase emphasizes that all beings everywhere will bow in reverence to Jesus. Consider the best way to express this in your language. Alternate translation: [every being in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear PHP 2:10

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 1:27–2:11: Paul encouraged the Philippians to live as true followers of Christ

Paragraph 2:9–11

2:10a

2:10b

General Comment on 2:10b

General Comment on 2:10

General Comment on 2:10

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)