“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” ( Philippians 2:9 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; ).

Christ is exalted as Prophet, Priest, and King.

Jesus’ exaltation was the reversal of His humble incarnation. He who was poor became rich; He who was rejected became accepted; He who had learned obedience returned to a position of power that calls all others to obey Him. Commentator William Hendricksen wrote, “As king, having by his death, resurrection, and ascension achieved and displayed his triumph over his enemies, he now holds in his hands the reins of the universe, and rules all things in the interest of his church (Eph. 1:22-23). As prophet he through his Spirit leads his own in all the truth. And as priest (Highpriest according to the order of Melchizedek) he, on the basis of his accomplished atonement, not only intercedes but actually lives forever to make intercession for those who “draw near to God through him.” And God was the source of Jesus’ exaltation.

In Philippians 2:9 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; the apostle Paul says that God “bestowed on Him the name.” The Greek word translated “bestowed” means “to give graciously” or “wholeheartedly.” Christ so fully and completely accomplished God’s plan of redemption that God wholeheartedly and graciously poured out on Christ the gifts of exaltation. Though He could not be made more than God, He now enjoys all the privileges of God as well as all the privileges of the God-man, which He now is.

Puritan minister Thomas Watson wrote in his Body of Divinity, “Christ’s exaltation is our exaltation. . . . As sure as Christ is exalted far above all heavens, so sure will he instate believers in all that glory with which his human nature is adorned. John xvii 22.” Be encouraged, for one day Christ will also exalt you!

Suggestions for Prayer

First Corinthians 15:24-26 shows that God has exalted Christ as Sovereign over everything. In keeping with that theme, use Psalms 99 Chapter 99 1 Jehovah reigneth; let the peoples tremble: He sitteth `above' the cherubim; let the earth be moved. 2 Jehovah is great in Zion; And he is high above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name: Holy is he. 4 The king's strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his footstool: Holy is he. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, And Samuel among them that call upon his name; They called upon Jehovah, and he answered them. 7 He spake unto them in the pillar of cloud: They kept his testimonies, And the statute that he gave them. 8 Thou answeredst them, O Jehovah our God: Thou wast a God that forgavest them, Though thou tookest vengeance of their doings. 9 Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his holy hill; For Jehovah our God is holy. Psalm 100 A Psalm of thanksgiving. as the basis of your own prayer to praise Christ as Ruler over all.

For Further Study

• According to Romans 14:9 9 For to this end Christ died and lived `again', that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. , why did Christ humble Himself?
• What has the Father given to the Son as part of His exaltation ( John 5:22 22 For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son; )?

From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

• Download our app The Study Bible!
• John MacArthur’s complete sermon archive
• The MacArthur Study Bible
• The complete MacArthur New Testament Commentary series