Philippians and Philemon - MR Vincent - 1906.pdf

II. 8, 9] HUMILIATION ISSUED IN EXALTATION 6
): S adds . The close of the description leaves the
reader at the very lowest point of Christ's humiliation, death as a
malefactor ; the mode of death to which a curse was attached in
the Mosaic law. (See Deut. xxi. 23; Gal. iii. 13; Heb. xii. 2.)
Paul, as a Roman citizen, was exempt from this disgrace.
The result of this humiliation was the highest exaltation.
9-11. On this account God exalted him above all creatures^
and bestowed on hitn the name which is above every name; that in
the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, earth, and hades, should
bow the knee and acknowledge him as Lord, and by this confession
glorify God the Father.
9. ^cos ^:
exalted him.'
' wherefore also God highly
:
' in consequence of which.' (Comp. Heb. ii. 9,
The idea of Christ's receiving his exaltation as a reward was
repugnant to the Reformed theologians. Calvin attempts to
evade it by explaining as quo facto, which is utterly untenable.
At the same time, it is not necessary to insist on the idea of recompense,
since may express simply consequence ; and exaltation
is the logical result of humility in the N.T. economy (Mt.
xxiii. 12; Lk. xiv. 11, xviii. 14). As Mey. remarks, "Christ's
1
xii. 2.)
saying in Mt. xxiii. 12 was gloriously fulfilled in his own case."
" Die Erniedrigung ist nur die noch nicht eingetretene Herrlichkeit,"
says Schmidt (Art. " Stand, doppelter Christi," Herz. Rl.
Enc). For introducing a result, see Lk. i. 35 ; Acts x. 29.
The consequence corresponding to the humiliation is expressed
by . Different explanations of are given, however. Lightf. and Kl. maintain
the sense of reciprocation, — ' God, on his part '; EUic, contrast of the
exaltation with the previous humiliation.
Only here in N.T. €€: Dan. iv. 34. Not in class. Gk.
In LXX ; Ps. xcvii, (xcvi.) 9 ;
Paul is fond of inkp in compounds,
and the compounds with are nearly all in his writings.
(See Ellic. on Eph. iii. 20.) Its force here is not * more
than before,' nor ' above his previous state of humiliation,' but * in
superlative measure.' This exaltation took place through Christ's
ascension (Rom. i. 3, 4, viii. 34 ; Eph. iv. 9, 10 ; Col. iii. i). But
the exaltation is viewed, not in respect of its mode, but as a state
of transcendent glory, including his sitting at God's right hand
(Rom. viii. 34 ; Col. iii. i) ; his lordship over the living and the
dead (Rom. xiv. 9) ; and his reign in glory (i Cor. xv. 25).
' / : and gave untO
him the name which is above every name.'