Podcast Summary: "The Name above Every Name"

Podcast: Ultimately with R.C. Sproul
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Air Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode, R.C. Sproul delves into the profound significance of the title "Lord" ascribed to Jesus Christ, exploring its theological weight and its implications for Christian confession and practice. Drawing from Philippians 2 and early Christian history, Sproul unpacks what it means for Jesus to hold "the name above every name," especially in contrast to temporal earthly powers. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on Christ's ultimate authority and their personal allegiance to Him.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ascension and the Supreme Name

• Jesus’ Exaltation:
  Sproul explains that it is in Jesus’ ascension, following His obedience and sacrificial work, that God "highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name."
  • [00:10] Quote:

    "It's only in Jesus' ascension that he is given the supreme name, the name that is above everything. Wherefore hath God highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name." (R.C. Sproul)

2. Historical Context: Christian Loyalty in Rome

• Roman Loyalty Oath:
  Early Christians refused to call Caesar 'Lord' (Kaiser ho Kurios), reserving the term for Christ alone.
  • [00:35] Quote:

    "As part of their loyalty oath to the Roman Empire, they had to make this simple affirmation: Kaiser ho Kurios, Caesar is Lord. And the Christians say, hey, we'll pay our taxes, we'll obey the magistrates, we'll do everything you tell us to do. We'll say that Caesar is Caesar, but... one thing we will not do is take the title Lord and render it to Caesar." (R.C. Sproul)

  • The refusal to call Caesar 'Lord' led to severe persecutions, including Christians being martyred.

3. The Divine Title: Kurios

• Biblical Significance of ‘Kurios’:
  The Greek term “Kurios” (Lord) in its supreme sense refers exclusively to God.
  • [01:12] Quote:

    "The title Kurios, in its supreme sense, Lord, is to be applied only to God. And so when the Christian Church confessed that Jesus was Lord... it was clearly an ascription of deity to Jesus." (R.C. Sproul)

4. Paul's Kenotic Hymn: Philippians 2

• Emptying and Exaltation of Christ:
  Sproul recites and discusses Philippians 2:5-11, emphasizing Christ’s humility and subsequent exaltation.
  • [01:30] Quote:

    "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, took his equality with God not as a thing to be grasped or tenaciously held onto... but he emptied himself and took upon himself the form of a servant, became obedient even unto death." (R.C. Sproul)

5. What Is the 'Name Above Every Name'?

• Exploring the Nature of the Name:
  Sproul addresses the possible misunderstanding that “Jesus” is the name above every name.
  • [02:15] Quote:

    "On the surface, it may appear in that text that the name that Paul is saying is above every name is the name Jesus. But Jesus had that name before he perfected his work of obedience... it's only in his ascension, really, in his exaltation, that he is given the supreme Name." (R.C. Sproul)

  • He argues the true "name above every name" is “Lord.”

6. Lordship and Christian Life

• Allegiance to Christ:
  The confession 'Jesus is Lord' means declaring Him as Sovereign and not simply as Savior.
  • [03:12] Quote:

    "So that when we say that Jesus is our Lord, we say he is our Sovereign. He has authority over us. He's not only our Savior, but He is our sovereign." (R.C. Sproul)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Refusal to Worship the Emperor

  "One thing we will not do is take the title Lord and render it to Caesar. We will render to Caesar the things that are Caesar, but unto God the things that are God." (R.C. Sproul @ 00:47)

• On Christ’s Unique Authority

  "Jesus is our Lord, we say he is our Sovereign. He has authority over us." (R.C. Sproul @ 03:12)

• Explanation of the Supreme Name

  "What is that name? Lord. And that's the name we are called upon to express on our knees and on our faces before Jesus." (R.C. Sproul @ 03:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:10–00:47: Introduction to the theme; Christ’s exaltation and the historical challenge of lordship.
• 01:00–01:45: Pauline theology from Philippians 2; the kenotic hymn.
• 02:10–02:45: Clarification on what constitutes the “name above every name.”
• 03:00–03:25: Practical implications for Christian confession and authority.

Conclusion

R.C. Sproul emphasizes that the supreme name granted to Jesus is "Lord"—a declaration of His ultimate deity and sovereignty. Early Christians’ allegiance to Christ above Caesar highlights the foundational importance of this confession. To call Jesus “Lord” is to acknowledge His absolute authority over every aspect of life.