What’s in a name?

            My name – “Doy” – is a Spanish verb (I give). Granted, it is an odd name, and I’ve had to deal with many things through the years: doyster, doyboy, doyoyoy, no doy, always being changed to Doug, Troy, Roy (Doy can’t be his real name)… etc. But there is no mistaking it when someone calls me by this name. I know it is me and not another. It is mine, and no matter how many laugh at it or think it strange, there is a certain honor to having your name and not being ashamed of it. It is me. Likewise, your name is very important to you. When people hear your name, they think of you, as a name is basically a symbol that stands for the person.

            In the Bible, names serve various purposes: calling someone, appointing for certain jobs, legal identity, etc. A name shows personal identity. More than 3,000 persons are identified by name in the Bible. To greet one by name (3 Jn 14) shows special regard for the person. A name might cause an emotional response (Song 1:3, Shulamite speaks of her beloved: “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you”; and naming descendents was extremely important (to have one’s name live on, e.g.). What a parent named a child was important because it meant something to them. Sometimes they chose a name based on the circumstances (e.g., Samuel, “heard by God”; Joseph, “may God add”). And we are aware of God changing certain names: Abram to Abraham (exalted father to father of a multitude); Jacob to Israel (supplanter to Prince with God). The point is that names are important to the persons and circumstances. A name stands for the person, representing his personality and character. A rose by any other name may still be what we think of as a rose, but it wouldn’t have quite the same effect if it were called by a name not quite as pleasing.

            More significant than just the literal meaning of a name is the way that name is remembered and thought of. This is reputation. Judas means “praise of the Lord,” but why don’t many people name their children after Judas? Is it because of how he is remembered as the betrayer of Christ? His reputation, tarnished as it was by his betrayal, does not lend itself to the favor of most parents looking to honor their children with a special name.

            How is your name known? How will your name be remembered? “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold” (Prov 22:1). How important is your name to you? Not just the sound it makes, but the reputation. How much do you think about this?

            With some limits, we are all concerned about what others think about us. 1 Tim. 3:7 and 5:14 shows there ought to be a concern. We should try to live so that others will not speak poorly about us. On the other hand, we should not be overly concerned about what others think of us when they hear our name. That can lead to being self-centered and arrogant (see Matt. 23:5-7).

            A good name allows us to have a good influence, while a bad name causes us to have a bad influence. That seems axiomatic. In order to have the best possible influence, we need to maintain names that are above reproach, above-the-board reputations (cf. Matt. 5:13-16). Even so, there will be those who speak badly of God’s people, but “blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the son of Man” (Luke 6:22). We do all that we can to keep our names in good standing, but when evil people malign you, know that God sees the truth.

            A good name honors our parents. “A wise son makes a father glad” (Pr 10:1). Even more, a good name glorifies and honors our Lord (1 Tim. 6:1). When we bring disgrace to our names, we likewise bring dishonor to Jesus Christ. For the Lord’s sake, it is our responsibility to keep solid, trustworthy reputations so that we fulfill our responsibility of bringing glory to God (1 Pet. 2:9, 12).

            Always remember: “It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right” (Prov 20:11). The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot (Prov 10:7). But whether or not other people know your name, God does. Your name may never be written on a marquee, engraved on the walk of fame, or highlighted in a newspaper. God knows you by name: the good shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (Jn. 10:3).

            Our names become immortal because of God. God had the names of the 12 tribes of Israel to be borne on the garments of the high priest “for a memorial” (Ex 28:12). In the NT, this idea is carried forward as the names of the tribes are united with the names of the apostles written on the gates of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. And this seems to be closely related then to the idea that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20), or, as Paul put, in the book of life (Phil. 4:3).

            So we ought to live in such a way as to keep good names before others, submitting to the God who knows and our names, and always diligent so that our names remain in God’s book of life, for it is only those “whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” who may share in God’s blessings. For our names to be so exalted before God, we must first praise His name.

Do Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain

             “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain” (Exod 20:7).

            Our purpose as believers is to glorify God (1 Pet 2:9). Giving God glory is tied to the knowledge of God; and tied to knowing the revelation of God and responding to God personally. David wrote, I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name (Ps 138:1-2).

            God’s name is not just a designation of a supreme being. To us, personal names are often little more than labels to distinguish one person from another. A nickname might be given to someone corresponding to some outstanding feature of the person, but this still does not really approach the importance of names in the Bible.

            Names of God in the Bible say something about God’s character and His ways. One said they are like miniature portraits and promises. God’s name tells us something about His authority and power. Sometimes the word “name” is itself used as a point of focus:

·          Abraham called on the name of the Lord (Gen. 12:8)

·          God’s name is proclaimed before Moses (Ex 33:19)

·          Israel was warned against profaning God’s holy name (Lev 22:2)

·          God’s name was not to be taken in vain (Ex 20:7)

·          Priests served in the name of the Lord (Deut 18:5)

·          God’s name is called wonderful in Judges 13:18

·          To call on the name of the Lord was to worship Him as God (Gen 21:33)

            From such references, we may conclude that phrases referring to the “name of the Lord” point to God’s entire being and character. One calls it a “summary statement embodying the entire person of God.” In the New Testament, the same may be said of Jesus Christ, through whose name we are saved (Acts 4:12) and in whose name we are to do all (Eph. 5:20). One day, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow (Phil 2:10-11). We bow before His person and character, not merely the sound.

            The various names of God, usually with a prefix of El or Yahweh (to exist or to be), gives us many ideas concerning God. Such names tell us that God is Almighty, Most High, Everlasting. He is a God who provides, is our victory, is our peace, our shepherd, our righteousness, and so on. When we think of the name of God, we need to think far more than a sound, and far more than a simple designation or label. We need to think of His character, His glory, His power and authority.

             “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” This third commandment, then, is not just about verbalizing the sound or pronouncing it incorrectly. It is about profaning God Himself. It is about minimizing the very character of God.

            How does one take the name of the Lord in vain? Positively stated, this means that one is to treat God’s name with the reverence and respect to which He is entitled. “Hallowed be Your name,” Jesus prayed. “Let them praise Your great and awesome name” (Psa 99:3). To do this is to treat God Himself as holy and awesome. Misusing God’s name for your own profane purpose is to profane the very character of God.

            Though we typically think of this in connection with flippantly using the word “God,” there is more to it. I see a connection of this commandment with the first two, which puts it in a context of the worship of God. To have other gods before Yahweh does indeed profane Him. To worship falsely with graven images also profaned Him. “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name” (Deut. 6:13). As one took an oath in the name of God, failure to fulfill this would make him guilty of taking God’s name in vain. So the Lord’s name was not to be taken lightly in the swearing of oaths. A false oath would result in sure punishment. Vows, oaths, worship in the name of God should never be careless, for God “takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!” (Eccl. 5:4). So much should we be people of our word that our yes’s will be yes’s and our no’s will be no’s.

            In a broader sense, when we become Christians we take on the name of our God. As a bride takes the name of her husband in marriage, so we take God’s name as we serve in His name. Can this be done in vain, too? After all, this is a form of a vow we make before God. To become a Christian is to enter into covenant with Him, with a vow to follow Him and do His will. When people marry, they make vows that they will be faithful and true. So it is for us in service to God. As a spouse can make such an oath vain by becoming unfaithful, so by our unfaithfulness do we profane the name of God.

            God’s name rests upon His own faithfulness, power, and covenant-keeping. In God’s powerful actions on behalf of Israel, sometimes said to be “for his name’s sake,” He was upholding His own reputation. “He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known” (Psa 106:8). Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant resulted in their exile, and because of this God they were told by God that “they profaned My holy name” (Ezek. 36:20). Because of this, God’s actions in bringing them out of exile was not “for your sake … but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the holiness of My great name …” (vv. 22-23).

            By our unfaithfulness, we profane the great and awesome name of God. How dare we attach ourselves to God and His name, then turn around and act in ways that bring such dishonor to Him! We need to see that our actions are directly connected to God’s name. My sins are a falling short of His glory (Rom. 3:23), and thus bring a sense of profanity to His name, His very character.

            Yet God is always faithful. For His name’s sake, He will vindicate Himself. I can act in a way that will share in the benefits of such a vindication, or I can act in a way that will result in my partaking of God’s wrath. “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow” (Phil. 2:10). May God help us never to profane Him by being unfaithful. Instead, may we glorify His name by proper living. “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21).

Do All in the Name of the Lord

             “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17)

             We have seen that the concept of “name” in the Bible is not just a label. It can stand for the entirety of the person, his character. “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen” (Psa 72:18-19)

            God’s name is to be blessed, praised, magnified, exalted, glorified, rejoiced in, proclaimed, loved, feared, and hallowed. To call on God’s name is to call on God Himself. Our respect for the name of God IS our respect for God Himself. When we take the name of our Lord to ourselves, we also take the responsibility of glorifying Him and abstaining from evil. “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness” (2 Tim 2:19). To take God’s name, then live so as to dishonor God, is to profane His holy name.

            To know God’s name is to love God Himself, as seen in the parallel structure of Psa 91:14: “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high because he has known my name.” Again, this is more than a sound. This is a deep, abiding respect for God Himself. One who has such respect will not dare to misuse and abuse God’s name.

            Now we are told to do all in the name of Christ. The phrase “in the name of” can indicate status, as in doing something in the name of a disciple (Matt. 10:42). It could be as an impersonation, as Jesus said “many will come in My name saying ‘I am the Christ’ (Matt 24:5). It can be in the sense of responsibility and purpose, as we are to give thanks in the name of Christ (Eph 5:20). Often, it indicates delegated authority, where someone serves as a representative of another, as I believe that is what is intended in Col. 3:17. When we do all in the name of Christ, we do what we do by His authority and as His representative. I think, though, that this goes beyond simply saying that we are to have authority for what we do. That is true, but when we talk about doing all things in the name of Christ, I think there is more involved.

            When I say that I am doing something in someone’s name, that does imply delegated authority. When I claim to do something in the name of Christ, I am thereby claiming that I have the Lord’s approval to do this. The tragedy here is claiming to do something in the name of Christ when, in reality, we are going against His will. Is this not essentially taking His name in vain?

            But this idea also implies that I am acting as this person’s representative. And that puts upon me a deep responsibility to make sure that I do not misrepresent that person. If someone goes out on your behalf, in your name, as your representative, and then does that which dishonors you or makes you look bad, how would that make you feel? We do not want our names attached to something that makes us look foolish or evil. So it is with our Lord.

            What that means, then, is that I am to act in such a way in all that I do that will bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. That is true whether we are talking about individual activity or congregational activity. As an individual Christian, I am to do all that I do in His name. My responsibility is to represent Him properly, glorify and honor Him, and never bring upon Him a sense of reproach. Note again 1 Tim. 6:1: “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.” I think this is the point of Col. 3:17. As I act in His name, I am to glorify His name, not act in a way so that His name is spoken against.

            Titus 2:5 tells women that they are to act in a certain way toward their families “so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Again, the point is similar. My actions will either bring honor to dishonor to God. To properly represent the name of Christ, I have to know that my actions say something about the name and word of our Lord.

            Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The context speaks of acting properly toward brethren and not offending your own conscience. But the point is, I think, identical to Col. 3:17. “Do all to the glory of God” is essentially the same as “Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

            What children do reflects upon the name of their parents. And what we do as God’s children reflects upon the name of our God. Perhaps, rather than thinking about what benefits or pleases me, I need to think about what glorifies God and honors His name. If I can remember this, it will impact everything that I choose to do. It is not just a matter of defaming my own personal reputation, though that is bad. It is also a matter of defaming the name of God; and for that there is no excuse.

            My goal has been to get us to think about our own personal names, in the sense of our reputations, and the name of God. We must avoid taking His name in vain, on the one hand, and do all that we do to glorify His name on the other. In the final analysis, to confess and live up to the name of Christ is what will guarantee the preservation of our own names, as Jesus told the church in Sardis, “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Rev 3:5).  

Thoughts from various sources, including:

Ryken, Leland, James C. Willhoit and Tremper Longman III. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998.