Bowing Under Compulsion?

QUESTION:
In a Bible study by Ab Klein Haneveld, it is claimed that indeed every knee will one day bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, but that for many, this will not be from the heart. He argues that we should read Philippians 2:10–11 in light of Isaiah 45:23. According to Isaiah, the confession would be a terror for many.
Is that so?

ANSWER:
To begin with the last point: Klein Haneveld cites Isaiah 45:22–25 from the Statenvertaling (Dutch States Translation), but this rendering is misleading. In both verses 24 and 25, the Statenvertaling wrongly includes the word “but.” In verse 25, it is placed in square brackets, yet by that point the reader is already led astray. The translators incorrectly assume a contrast between those who are put to shame (verse 24) and those who are justified. But that is not what the text says.

“…AND all who are inflamed against Him shall be ashamed. In Yahweh shall THEY be justified, and all the seed of Israel shall glory.”

It is this latter rendering that perfectly matches what Philippians 2:10–11 teaches. It is absolutely clear that in these verses Paul declares that every knee will bow willingly and every tongue will confess from the heart that Jesus is Lord.

Here follow eight reasons:

#1. Every knee will bow “in the name of Jesus.” Why “in the name of Jesus”? The answer is simple: Jesus is the name of the One who humbled Himself “unto death, even the death of the cross” to save us. After all, Jesus means: YHWH is Saviour. In other words, every knee will bow in the name of the… SAVIOUR!

#2. The bending of the knee is, elsewhere in the New Testament, always an act of willingness (see e.g., Romans 11:4).

#3. Every tongue will confess. Scripture often speaks of “lip service” (“This people is honouring Me with their lips, yet their heart is away from Me” — Matthew 15:8). That refers to an outward display. However, the tongue, unlike the lips, represents the inward part.

#4. The word for “confess” in Philippians 2:11 (exomologeo) everywhere it is used in the New Testament (11x) refers to heartfelt agreement. The usual word for confess is homologeo. The prefix ex- means that it comes from within.

#5. 1 Corinthians 12:3 teaches that no one is able to say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by holy Spirit.

#6. In many places, Scripture teaches that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). This is a universal biblical principle. So when every tongue will call upon the Lord, this by definition means the salvation of all. Completely in harmony with the fact that God not only wills that all mankind be saved, but is in fact the Saviour of all mankind (1 Timothy 2:4; 4:10).

#7. Every tongue will confess “to the glory of God.” Not compulsion, but the glory of God is the motive for the confession.

#8. Every tongue will confess “to the glory of God, the Father.” Not as Judge or King, but as Father will God be glorified. Paul began by stating that every knee shall bow in the Name which means: YHWH is Saviour. And he ends by saying: it will be to the glory of God, the Father. What we hear here is the hymn of saved creatures, who know God as their Father!

Conclusion:

In Philippians 2, Paul makes it irrefutably clear that the final act of salvation history will be a universally resounding hymn of praise. Under oath, God guarantees this outcome. It is the climax of the crowning of Jesus’ Name: YHWH is Saviour, that is, the Saviour of all! A greater, more all-encompassing fruit of His labor is unimaginable. “Every knee,” “every tongue,” without exception. It is to God’s glory that He proves able to bring His entire creation to where He wants it to be.

What an ode to His Father-heart, when from the mouths of billions, heartfelt songs of praise will rise!
Who would even dare to rob Him of that joy?

Delen: