Philippians 2:9

God. The first part of this hymn tells what Christ did. The second part shows God's response. "God raised him from the dead and took him up to the highest place above, in his crucified body! This is how God rewarded Christ for his humility and obedience! I show you this as an example." And gave him the name. Names, to the ancient people, showed character and status. Being given a new name, then, shows Christ being raised to high rank and great honor! The question arises: "If Christ always had the very nature of God, is it possible that he is now higher than he was before???" Robert Rainy answers: "A line of contemplation, hard to follow yet inspiring, opens up in considering the Incarnation of our Lord as permanent. No day is coming in which that shall have to be looked upon as gone away into the past. This is suggestive as to the tie between Creator and creature, as to the bridge between Infinite and finite, to be evermore found in Him. But it may suffice here to have indicated the topic." Compare Psalms 8; Hebrews 9:24-28.