This verse marks the turning point in the drama. Two contrasts govern the transition: (1) humiliation vs. exaltation, and (2) servant vs. Lord. Up to this point attention has been focused on the humility and obedience of Christ. But now God takes the initiative in conferring on Christ the highest honor.
The phrase for this reason introduces the result. Exaltation is the natural consequence of humiliation (Matt 18.4; 23.12; Luke 14.11, 18.14; cf. 2 Cor 11.7; Phil 4.12). In some languages for this reason may be rendered as “because of what he did.”
God raised him to the highest place above is literally “God hyperexalted him.” This rare compound verb occurs only here in the New Testament. The force of “hyper” is not simply “more than before,” but rather “in superlative measure.” The idea is not that God exalted Christ to a higher rank that the one he held before. The contrast is between the lowest point of his earthly role (servant-obedience-criminal death) to the highest heavenly honor (cf. Isa 52.13). It is possible that the exaltation includes the resurrection and especially the ascension, as understood by a number of commentators (Acts 2.23-24, 33; Rom 1.4; Heb 1.3); but the context seems to suggest that the reference is primarily to status, namely, the highest honor, the lordship.
The highest place above may be rendered more or less literally as “the highest place in heaven.” But this could be understood merely in a locative sense in some languages. Therefore one may prefer such a rendering as “to the greatest place of honor in heaven.” Or, raised him to the highest place above may simply be rendered as “causes him to have the greatest possible honor,” or “… status.”
The verb gave has the sense of “granted as an act of grace” (see 1.29). New English Bible has “bestowed,” Moffatt “conferred.” Name is not simply a designation to distinguish one person from another. In its biblical sense, it carries the idea of one’s character, position, role, rank, dignity, etc. (cf. Eph 1.21; Heb 1.4). The name that is greater than any other name (literally, “the name that is above every name”) could then mean “the highest rank or dignity of all.” The reference is most probably to Lord in verse 11.
In languages in which reference to a “name” implies status or distinction, it may be possible to preserve the second part of this verse, namely; gave him the name that is greater than any other name. However, in many languages the use of the term “name” in such a context would be meaningless, if not misleading. Since the second part of verse 9 is really parallel to what is said in the first part, it may be better in some instances to translate the second part as “gave him a position that was higher than other position.” Similarly, in honor of the name of Jesus (v. 10) would be rendered as “in honor of the position which Jesus has.”
Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .