There are several passages in the New Testament which bear the marks of not only being well-known quotations of that time, but also because of their poetical and lyrical character being likely examples of early Christian hymns. The Bible contains many canticles and hymns beyond the Psalms. For example, Exodus, Deuteronomy and Luke include great canticles that contain a sense of the faith heritage to be remembered in coming generations. New Testament hymns in the epistles are usually creedal in content, sung versions from the emerging Christian church about what it believes based on the witness of Christ’s life. Most commentators have agreed that one of those inspired passages is the absolutely beautiful and well-crafted section in Philippians 2:5-11.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This hymn lifts up “the name of Jesus” in a wonderful way that thrills the heart of every believer. Our hearts rejoice at the thought of the Lord Jesus being highly exalted. This phrase, “the name of Jesus,” is of greater significance than we generally realize. We find it quoted in a number of passages in the New Testament.