The Title 'Lord' for Jesus, John 13:13, Philippians 2:9-11

Kyrios, Adonai, and the Name Above Every Name

An Exegesis of the Title "Lord" as Evidence of Jesus' Divinity in the OT and NT

The Title "Lord" for Jesus, John 13:13, Philippians 2:9-11

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Abstract

This article examines the title Kyrios (Κύριος) in the New Testament and its connection to YHWH (יהוה) and Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) in the Old Testament, to show that Jesus is the same Lord as YHWH. By analyzing John 13:13 and Philippians 2:10-11, and tracing their usage in the Septuagint (LXX) and the Old Testament, this article addresses the confusion caused by Indonesian translations that distinguish between "Tuhan" (for God) and "tuan" (for humans). In Koine Greek, Kyrios is used for both YHWH and Jesus, demonstrating that Jesus is recognized as the sovereign Lord. Philippians 2:10-11 explicitly applies Isaiah 45:23—where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow and every tongue swear allegiance to Him—to Jesus, affirming that Jesus is YHWH Himself. Thus, Jesus' divinity is not because He is worshiped in heaven and on earth, but because He is Lord—possessing the same absolute power and authority as YHWH.

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1. Introduction: The Title "Lord" and Confusion in Indonesian

Throughout our entire discussion, we have established that:

1. Jesus is the incarnate God—God who became man without losing His divinity.

2. Isaiah 43:10 and 45:23 affirm the uniqueness and divinity of YHWH.

3. Hebrews 13:8 affirms the immutability of Jesus as the immanent God.

4. Birth determines nature—Jesus is God and man.

Now, we will examine the title "Lord" (Kyrios in Greek, Adonai in Hebrew) and how this title proves Jesus' divinity. In Indonesian, there is a significant difference between "Tuhan" (for God) and "tuan" (for humans). However, in Koine Greek and Hebrew, the same word is often used for both—and this is the key to understanding Jesus' divinity.

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2. Kyrios in the New Testament and the Septuagint

2.1. Kyrios (Κύριος) in Greek

Aspect | Explanation

Basic Meaning | Lord, master, ruler, sovereign.

Usage in the LXX | The Septuagint (Greek translation of the OT) uses Kyrios to translate YHWH (יהוה) and Adonai (אֲדֹנָי).

Usage in the NT | Kyrios is used for Jesus more than 700 times—often in the same context as YHWH.

2.2. Kyrios in the LXX: Translating the Name YHWH

Hebrew Name | Meaning | LXX Translation

YHWH (יהוה) | God's holy name—"I AM WHO I AM" | Kyrios (Κύριος)

Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) | Lord, Master | Kyrios (Κύριος)

Implication: When the New Testament writers call Jesus Kyrios, they are using the same word used to translate YHWH in the Septuagint. This is a very powerful theological statement: Jesus is YHWH Himself.

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3. John 13:13—Jesus as Kyrios and Didaskalos

3.1. The Text of John 13:13

"You call me Teacher (Didaskalos) and Lord (Kyrios), and you are right, for so I am."

Analysis:

Title | Greek | Meaning | Connection to YHWH

Teacher | Διδάσκαλος (Didaskalos) | Instructor, Rabbi | Jesus is the divine Teacher who teaches with God's authority.

Lord | Κύριος (Kyrios) | Master, Lord, Owner | Jesus is the incarnate YHWH.

3.2. Why Did Jesus Accept the Title Kyrios?

Explanation | Meaning

Jesus accepted the title Kyrios—He did not reject it. | If Jesus were not God, He would have rejected this title (as the angel did in Revelation 19:10).

Jesus said: "You are right, for so I am." | Jesus confirmed that He is Kyrios.

In the context of John 13, Jesus had just washed the disciples' feet—the act of a servant. | Jesus is the Kyrios who became a servant—God who humbled Himself (kenosis).

Formulation:

"John 13:13 is the confession that Jesus is Kyrios—the sovereign Lord. He did not reject this title, but accepted it and used it to teach that the true Kyrios is the Kyrios who serves. This is not a contradiction, but the fulfillment of YHWH becoming human."

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4. Philippians 2:10-11—The Name Above Every Name

4.1. The Text of Philippians 2:10-11

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Kyrios), to the glory of God the Father."

4.2. Connection to Isaiah 45:23

"By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'"

Comparative Analysis:

Isaiah 45:23 (YHWH) | Philippians 2:10-11 (Jesus) | Meaning

"To me every knee shall bow." | "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth." | Jesus receives worship that is due only to YHWH.

"Every tongue shall swear allegiance." | "Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." | Jesus is the same Lord as YHWH.

YHWH speaks of Himself. | Paul applies this text to Jesus. | Jesus is the incarnate YHWH.

4.3. Why Is This Important?

Aspect | Explanation

Isaiah 45:23 is YHWH's declaration of His uniqueness and exclusivity. | God said: "There is no God besides Me... every knee shall bow to Me."

Paul applies this text to Jesus. | This is not merely "honor" to Jesus—this is worship due only to God.

Jesus accepts this worship. | Jesus did not reject it, as the angel did (Revelation 19:10) or the apostles did (Acts 10:25-26).

Formulation:

"Philippians 2:10-11 is undeniable proof that Jesus is YHWH. Paul explicitly applies Isaiah 45:23—where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow to Him—to Jesus. This is not ordinary 'honor'; this is worship due only to God. Jesus is the same Lord as YHWH."

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5. Why Does the Title "Lord" in Indonesian Cause Confusion?

5.1. The Difference Between "Tuhan" and "Tuan" in Indonesian

Word | Meaning | Usage

Tuhan | God, Almighty, Creator. | Only for God.

Tuan | One who has power/authority (human). | For humans, masters, nobles.

5.2. Translation Issues

Problem | Explanation

Greek does not distinguish. | Kyrios is used for both YHWH and Jesus—and also for humans (e.g., a landowner).

Indonesian distinguishes. | Translations choose "Tuhan" for God and "tuan" for humans—but sometimes it is difficult to determine which is meant.

Impact on Matthew 19:16. | When the young man said, "Good Teacher," he used Didaskalos—not Kyrios. He did not acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Impact on John 13:13. | The disciples called Jesus Kyrios—and Jesus accepted it. This is the confession that Jesus is Lord.

5.3. Correction of Understanding

Misunderstanding | Correction

"Jesus is called 'Master' (human) in Matthew 19." | In Matthew 19, the young man called Jesus Didaskalos (Teacher), not Kyrios (Lord).

"Jesus is called 'Lord' only because He is worshiped." | Jesus is called Lord because He is Lord—possessing absolute power and authority.

"Jesus became Lord because He was exalted by the Father." | Jesus is Lord essentially—from eternity. Philippians 2:9-11 shows that His name was exalted because He was already Lord.

Formulation:

"In Indonesian, 'Tuhan' and 'tuan' have a significant difference. But in Greek and Hebrew, Kyrios and Adonai encompass both meanings—and when used for Jesus, it is a declaration that Jesus is YHWH Himself. He is not an ordinary 'master,' but the sovereign Lord, who receives the same worship as YHWH."

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6. Old Testament References for the Title "Lord"

6.1. YHWH as Kyrios in the Septuagint

OT Reference | Verse | LXX (Greek)

Genesis 2:4 | "The LORD God (YHWH Elohim)..." | Kyrios ho Theos

Exodus 3:15 | "The LORD (YHWH)... this is my name." | Kyrios

Psalm 110:1 | "The LORD (YHWH) said to my lord (Adonai)." | Eipen ho Kyrios to Kyrio mou

6.2. Adonai as Kyrios

OT Reference | Verse | Meaning

Genesis 18:3 | "My Lord (Adonai), if I have found favor in your sight..." | Abraham called YHWH Adonai.

Isaiah 6:1 | "I saw the Lord (Adonai) sitting upon a throne." | Isaiah saw YHWH as Adonai—the sovereign Lord.

Psalm 110:1 | "The LORD (YHWH) said to my lord (Adonai)." | David called the Messiah Adonai—Lord.

6.3. Connection to Isaiah 43:10 and 45:23

Isaiah 43:10 | Isaiah 45:23 | Philippians 2:10-11

"Before me no god was formed." | "To me every knee shall bow." | "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow..."

The uniqueness of YHWH. | Worship of YHWH. | Worship of Jesus = worship of YHWH.

Formulation:

"The Old Testament affirms that YHWH and Adonai are titles for the sovereign God. The Septuagint translates both titles as Kyrios. When the New Testament uses Kyrios for Jesus, it is a declaration that Jesus is YHWH—the same Lord who sits on the throne in Isaiah 6:1, who speaks in Exodus 3:14, and who declares that every knee shall bow to Him in Isaiah 45:23."

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7. The Logic of Divinity: Not Because of Worship, but Because He Is "Lord"

7.1. Misunderstanding about Worship

Misunderstanding | Correction

"Jesus became Lord because He is worshiped." | Wrong. Jesus is worshiped because He is Lord—not the other way around.

"Jesus was exalted to become Lord by the Father." | Wrong. Jesus is Lord essentially—from eternity. Philippians 2:9-11 shows that His name was exalted because He was already Lord.

"Jesus cannot be called Lord because He is only human." | Wrong. Jesus is God who became man—and therefore, He is Lord.

7.2. The Correct Logic

Logic | Explanation | Reference

Jesus is Lord because He possesses absolute power and authority. | Jesus created all things (John 1:3), forgives sins (Mark 2:5-7), and receives worship (Matthew 28:9). | John 1:3; Mark 2:5-7; Matthew 28:9

Jesus receives worship because He is Lord. | Angels reject worship (Revelation 19:10); Jesus accepts it. | Revelation 19:10; Matthew 28:9

Jesus' name is exalted because He is Lord. | Philippians 2:9-11 shows that Jesus' name was exalted because He was already Lord. | Philippians 2:9-11

Formulation:

"Jesus did not become Lord because He is worshiped. He is worshiped because He is Lord. His power and authority were not given to Him later; they are His essence from eternity. Philippians 2:9-11 shows that Jesus' name was exalted because He is Kyrios—the same Lord as YHWH."

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8. Conclusion: Kyrios, Adonai, and Jesus' Divinity

This article has proven that:

1. Kyrios in the Septuagint is the translation of YHWH and Adonai—titles for the sovereign God.

2. John 13:13 shows that Jesus accepted the title Kyrios—and confirmed that it was right.

3. Philippians 2:10-11 explicitly applies Isaiah 45:23 (where YHWH declares that every knee shall bow to Him) to Jesus, affirming that Jesus is YHWH.

4. The title "Lord" in Indonesian often causes confusion because it distinguishes between "Tuhan" (for God) and "tuan" (for humans). But in Greek and Hebrew, the same word (Kyrios, Adonai) is used for both—and when used for Jesus, it is a declaration that Jesus is YHWH.

5. The logic of Jesus' divinity is: Jesus is Lord—not because He is worshiped, but because He possesses the same absolute power and authority as YHWH. He receives worship because He is Lord.

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Final Formulation

"John 13:13 says: 'You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.' Philippians 2:10-11 says: 'At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.' This is not merely an honorary title. This is a declaration that Jesus is YHWH—the same Lord who speaks in Isaiah 45:23: 'To me every knee shall bow.' Jesus did not become Lord because He is worshiped; He is worshiped because He is Lord. He possesses absolute power and authority from eternity—power to create, to forgive sins, and to save. And because He is Lord, every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is holy love—love that cannot be delegated, love that is personally present, love that is faithful unto death, and love that triumphs over death. This is perfect divine monogamy: one God, one Bridegroom, one incarnation, one sacrifice, one salvation, forever and ever."

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Soli Deo Gloria.

Jesus is Kyrios—the same Lord as YHWH. To Him, the only wise God, to Him, through Him, and in Him, be all glory forever and ever. Amen.