[Therefore God exalted him to the highest place]
and gave him the name that is above every name…
Summary: Paul’s words about Jesus’ name give us a reason to pause and think about why names have meaning and how Jesus’ name reflects who he is.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
— Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II
As a kid, I sometimes wondered,“How do we get names and why are some more important than others?”
According to Juliet, it is not the name that matters as much as the person or thing behind the name. Yet, in our modern times, names are very important. Some people have a name worth remembering, while others bask in the pale light of anonymity.
History is an excellent guide on this matter. Take William Shakespeare, for example.
His father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker. He was neither famous nor very important. He was rather ordinary in every way. His son, William, was not ordinary, but initially, nobody knew that. If he had never taken up writing and producing plays, his name would have languished among the dust bunnies of history, but he did, and they were good.
People took note!
Eventually, the name of “Shakespeare” meant something, and now, three hundred years later, almost everyone knows his name.
In the Bible, when God is asked what his name is, he responds, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). When Jesus is born, he is given several names. Isaiah records:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
These names were prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was born. When the angel Gabriel came to announce that Mary would carry God’s baby, he said, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31).
The names in Jesus’ day all had meanings, and Jesus’ name was no different in that regard. His name was special, though. It tells the story of why he was here on Earth. It means, simply, the LORD saves.*
All of human history points to Jesus. From the first prophecy about him (Genesis 3:15) to the last words of the Bible (Revelation 22:21), everything points to Jesus. His name truly is the name above all names.
Application: Trust the name above all names.
Food for Thought: Was Paul referring to the name “Jesus,” or was he thinking of another name that Scripture gives to the Son of God?
*”G2424 – iēsous – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 31 Jul, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2424/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
Hmm, interesting question. 🙂
Paul never met Jesus “in the flesh.” He did meet Him on the road to Damascus. We can find that encounter recorded three times in Acts:
Acts 9:1-19
Acts 22:6-16
Acts 26:12-23
All three times Paul is recorded asking the same question “Who are you, Lord?”
All three times the answer is “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,”
This leads me to believe that Paul is referring to the name “Jesus.” A thought that makes spiritual sense to me is that if Paul had experienced Jesus “differently” (and yes I know his encounter was supernatural), it may have been concluded in his day that Paul served God under the premise of “secret knowledge” rather than in faith and spiritual guidance that brings greater understanding. That the understanding that the Holy Spirit bestowed on Paul, and he shared with the world, can be understood by all that call Christ Lord and place their faith in Him.
P.S. As I read the meditation today the words “Prince of Peace” made my heart jump, and I realized that I had an inaccurate understanding. I don’t think I had taken the time to fully reflect on the meaning. Not “Prince of Peace” in a worldly “Kumbaya” “We are the World” type way. Peace between God and mankind, Jesus came to provide a way for peace between God and mankind.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate your thoughtful analysis. Revelation 19:12 says:
“His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.”
It may be that each crown is associated with a different name, or title. The “many crowns” passage might be a visual representation of how all the names/titles Jesus wears are linked together under Jesus, “The LORD saves!”
I think the next line in the Philippians passage tells us what Paul was thinking: “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,”
So he uses the name Jesus very clearly here. But it is also clear that all the names of Jesus are important and have prophetic significance.
Thank you, Rich!
I love how you ground us in context! 🙂