Ephesians 1:21
Verse
Context
Sermons
Jackie Pullinger
T. Austin-Sparks
David Servant
Theodore Epp
Andrew Murray
Ignatius of AntiochSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Far above all principality - The difficulty in this verse does not arise from the words themselves, the meaning of each being easily understood, but from the sense in which the apostle uses them. Some think he has reference here to the different orders among good and evil angels; he is superior to all the former, and rules all the latter. Others think he refers to earthly governments; and as αρχη, principality, the first word, signifies the most sovereign and extensive kind of dominion; and κυριοτης, lordship, the last word, signifies the lowest degree of authority; hence we are to understand that to our Lord, in his human nature, are subjected the highest, the intermediate, and the lowest orders of beings in the universe. - Chandler. Others imagine that the apostle has in view, by whatsoever is named in this world, all the dignitaries of the Jewish Church; and by what is named in the world to come, all the dignities that should be found in the Christian Church. Schoettgen supposes that the "apostle's αρχη (for αρχοντες, the abstract for the concrete) means the same as the נשיאים Nesiim among the Jews, whose chief business it was to clear and decide all contentions which arose concerning traditions and legal controversies. "That εξουσια, power, is the same as צורבא tsorba, he who possesses authority to propound, expound, persuade, convince, and refute. "That δυναμις, might, answers to רבנות rabbanoth, signifying all the class of rabbins, whose office it was to expound the law, and teach the people generally. "And that κυριοτης, dominion, answers to מר mar, which signifies a person above the lower orders of men. And he observes that Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, called fishermen, publicans, and men from the lowest orders of the people, to the work of the ministry; and made them instruments of confounding and overturning all the Jewish rulers, rabbins, and doctors. And that in the world which is to come - the successive ages of Christianity, he should ever be exalted above all those powers and authorities which Antichrist might bring into the Christian Church; such as popes, cardinals, wicked archbishops, bishops, deans, and canons; and all those who among the schoolmen were termed seraphic doctors, angelic doctors, most illuminated, most perfect, and irrefragable doctors. And although Wiclif, Huss, Luther, Melancthon, and the rest of the reformers, were men of little or no note when compared with the rulers of the popish Church, so eminently did the power of Christ work in and by them, that the pope and all his adjutants were every where confounded, and their power and authority annihilated in several entire regions." It is certain that the apostle means that all created power, glory, and influence, are under Christ; and hence it is added:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Greek, "Far (or high) above all (Eph 4:10) principality (or rule, Co1 15:24), and authority, and power (Mat 28:18), and dominion (or lordship)." Compare Phi 2:9; Col 1:16; Heb 7:26; Pe1 3:22. Evil spirits (who are similarly divided into various ranks, Eph 6:12), as well as angels of light, and earthly potentates, are included (compare Rom 8:38). Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev 19:16). The higher is His honor, the greater is that of His people, who are His members joined to Him, the Head. Some philosophizing teachers of the school of Simon Magus, in Western Asia Minor, had, according to IRENÆUS and EPIPHANIUS, taught their hearers these names of various ranks of angels. Paul shows that the truest wisdom is to know Christ as reigning above them all. every name--every being whatever. "Any other creature" (Rom 8:39). in this world--Greek, "age," that is, the present order of things. "Things present . . . things to come" (Rom 8:38). that . . . to come--"Names which now we know not, but shall know hereafter in heaven. We know that the emperor goes before all, though we cannot enumerate all the satraps and ministers of his court; so we know that Christ is set above all, although we cannot name them all" [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Far above all principality and power,.... Good angels and bad angels, and civil magistrates, who also may be intended by the following words: and might and dominion; good angels may be so called, because of their employment under God in the affairs of Providence, and the government of this world; and Christ is not only above them, as he is God, being their Creator, who has made them, and on whom they depend, and is the Lord whom they serve, and is the object of their worship and adoration, and as he is Mediator, to whom they minister, and so is above them in nature, name, and office; but also as he is man, in union with the Son of God; and chiefly he here is said to be above them on account of place, being at the right hand of God, where they are not, Heb 1:13. And evil angels may be so called, because of the government which subsists among themselves, and the power and influence they have over mankind; Christ was above them when here on earth, as appears by his resisting the temptations of Satan, and defeating him in them; by his dispossessing devils from the bodies of men; by his spoiling and destroying them and their works at his death; and by his leading them captive, and triumphing over them at his ascension; and by delivering souls out of his hands at conversion, through his power attending the ministration of his Gospel; and his being above them will still be more manifest, in the binding of Satan a thousand years, and in the final condemnation of him, and of all his angels under him: civil magistrates are sometimes called by these names, and Christ is above them; they receive their governments from him, they rule by him, and are accountable to him, and are set up and put down at his pleasure; all these senses may be taken in; but the first seems chiefly designed: it is added, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; persons of authority and dignity, of fame and renown, whether in earth or heaven; as emperors, kings, princes, nobles, generals of armies &c. in this world, and cherubim, seraphim, &c. in the other world: this phrase denotes both the extensiveness of Christ's kingdom, and the eternity of it; as reaching to both worlds, and being over everything in them, and as lasting to the end of this, and unto that which is to come.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:21 he is far above: Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in this age and the coming age (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Rom 8:38-39; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 12:7-9).
Ephesians 1:21
Spiritual Wisdom
20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Spiritual Gifts Training (Part 4)
By Jackie Pullinger4450:45Spiritual GiftsHealing and ForgivenessKingdom Of GodDAN 2:44MAL 4:1MAT 12:28MRK 1:15LUK 10:9JHN 3:81CO 4:20GAL 1:4EPH 1:212TH 1:7Jackie Pullinger emphasizes the transformative power of the Kingdom of God, asserting that it is not merely about words but about divine power manifesting in healing and restoration. She reflects on the historical longing of Israel for their kingdom and how Jesus proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom, urging believers to actively participate in its realization through acts of healing and forgiveness. Pullinger encourages the congregation to check the teachings against Scripture and to engage in the mission of spreading the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of forgiveness as a prerequisite for healing and spiritual freedom.
Because He Saw His Glory - Part 2
By T. Austin-Sparks0ISA 6:1EPH 1:21EPH 2:6HEB 7:25T. Austin-Sparks preaches on the purpose of God, emphasizing that God seeks a people in whom His purpose is revealed and who are constituted according to it. He highlights the importance of being governed by the consciousness of God's purpose to avoid weakness and susceptibility to various trials. The sermon stresses that God's purpose confers significance, not based on who we are but on His sovereign choosing. It also explores how God meets all needs for His purpose, the disillusionments often faced in fulfilling God's purpose, and the deep experiences that shape individuals according to God's purpose.
Day 161, Ephesians 1
By David Servant0EPH 1:4EPH 1:7EPH 1:9EPH 1:14EPH 1:17EPH 1:21David Servant preaches on Paul's letter to the Ephesian believers, emphasizing the spiritual blessings we have through Jesus and the importance of living a holy and blameless life. Paul highlights that God chose us based on our faith in Christ before the foundation of the world, with the intention that we would be holy. Through Jesus, we are predestined to be adopted as God's children, redeemed, and forgiven of our sins. Jesus is the center of God's future plans, and believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our future inheritance.
Enthroned and Enabled
By Theodore Epp0Overcoming WorrySpiritual RestPSA 37:1PSA 37:7JHN 16:33EPH 1:21EPH 2:1PHP 3:20Theodore Epp emphasizes that believers, being seated in the heavenlies with Christ, should experience spiritual rest rather than worry. He highlights the biblical command to not fret over evildoers and to rest in the Lord, drawing from Paul's teachings even while imprisoned. Epp reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven, and by recognizing our position in Christ, we can overcome worldly troubles. He encourages believers to live by faith, appropriating their spiritual resources to share in Christ's power and victories. Ultimately, Epp reassures that despite tribulations, we can find joy in Christ's triumph over the world.
A Great High-Priest - His Sympathy and Compassion
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 139:2ISA 53:4ISA 53:10EPH 1:21HEB 4:15HEB 5:81PE 2:241PE 3:18J.C. Philpot preaches about the compassionate and sympathizing High Priest in the courts of heaven, emphasizing the necessity of sympathy and compassion in a high priest as a mediator. He delves into the personal experiences of suffering and temptation that Jesus endured to sympathize with His people, highlighting how Jesus bore the weight of sin, endured the wrath of God, and experienced the curse of the law to understand and empathize with His afflicted ones. Philpot explores the deep connection between the Lord's trials on earth and His present intercession in heaven, showcasing how Jesus' personal experiences enable Him to be a merciful and faithful High Priest who sympathizes with His people under afflictions and temptations.
"O Wretched Man That I Am! "
By Andrew Murray0MAT 24:8LUK 12:11JHN 1:1JHN 8:44ROM 8:38EPH 1:21EPH 6:12COL 2:101JN 3:8REV 3:14REV 22:13In this sermon on rulers (arche), the preacher delves into the significance of archē as the commencement of something, emphasizing its use in the New Testament and the Septuagint. Archē is portrayed as the first in relation to time, the origin, and the most common usage in the NT. It is used to describe rulers, principalities, and the beginning of various processes. The preacher explores how archē signifies the first cause, the beginning, and the first in order of importance or power, shedding light on its implications in different contexts.
I Will Not Teach You Profound Doctrines
By Ignatius of Antioch0PSA 145:3ISA 6:21CO 3:1EPH 1:21COL 1:16Ignatius of Antioch humbly acknowledges his limitations in understanding and communicating deep spiritual truths to the Corinthians, fearing that sharing mysteries beyond their capacity may harm them. Despite his knowledge of heavenly things and spiritual realms, he recognizes his imperfections and the need for continual growth to avoid falling short of God, expressing a desire to progress in his discipleship journey akin to Paul and Peter.
That Worthy Name
By Arno Clemens Gaebelein0PSA 148:13ISA 9:6JHN 10:11EPH 1:21PHP 3:8COL 1:151JN 3:2REV 17:14REV 19:12REV 22:4Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the incomparable worth and glory of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing that His Name is far above every other name and is worthy of all honor and praise. The Holy Spirit reveals glimpses of Christ's beauty and loveliness to believers, with the aim of drawing them closer to Him. Gaebelein challenges listeners to have a burning desire for a deeper knowledge of Christ, to weep over their lack of devotion, and to make Christ the absorbing object of their hearts and lives. He highlights the importance of knowing the various titles, attributes, and names of Jesus, expressing that a better understanding of Christ is the true spiritual progress that brings joy, rest, and true Christian happiness.
The City - the Seat of Heavenly Government
By T. Austin-Sparks0Spiritual IdentityHeavenly GovernmentEZK 5:5EPH 1:21T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of Jerusalem as a symbol of God's heavenly government, tracing its lineage from Melchizedek to the New Jerusalem in Revelation. He explains that the Church, represented as a city, is a spiritual entity that operates under divine governance, with certain saints sharing in Christ's authority. Sparks contrasts the true MYSTERY JERUSALEM with MYSTERY BABYLON, highlighting the hidden nature of God's city, which can only be understood through spiritual revelation. He underscores the importance of the Church's heavenly nature and its role in governing the world through prayer and spiritual union with Christ, despite earthly opposition. Ultimately, he calls believers to recognize their identity as citizens of this heavenly city, empowered to fulfill God's purposes through their connection with Him.
Human Potential, the Spirit of Anti-Christ
By Phil Beach Jr.0GEN 2:18JHN 3:61CO 15:49GAL 5:19EPH 1:17EPH 1:211JN 3:2REV 13:1Phil Beach Jr. preaches about the dangers of offering the religious side of our flesh to the Lord, emphasizing the need to discern and reject the seemingly good, religious nature of the flesh which is equally corrupt and rejected by God. He highlights the importance of understanding the root of pride and self-righteousness in our offerings to God, drawing parallels to Cain's rejected offering. The sermon delves into the significance of fully surrendering to Christ, renouncing all works of the flesh, and allowing the preeminence of Christ to be established in our lives.
A Spotless Bride
By Hywel R. Jones0PSA 46:5MAT 16:18ACT 2:401CO 5:12CO 6:14EPH 1:21EPH 2:11PE 2:9REV 12:10Hywel R. Jones preaches about the current state of institutions and professionals, emphasizing the lack of moral integrity leading to the crumbling of various realms in the western world. He discusses the contrast between the church on earth and the heavenly world of peace, joy, and righteousness, pointing out the need for the church to reflect the holiness of God. Jones explores the distinction between the universal church's holiness and the purity of individual local churches, highlighting the importance of addressing impurities within congregations while upholding the church's overall holiness. He stresses the sacred duty of believers to ensure that their local churches exhibit holiness and purity, aligning with the heavenly reality of the church.
Prayer - Revelation 1:5, 6, Part 1
By A.W. Pink0PrayerDoxologyEXO 3:13PSA 139:14ISA 11:1JHN 15:13ROM 1:19ROM 5:8EPH 1:21PHP 2:10HEB 1:3REV 1:5A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of prayer in the context of Revelation 1:5-6, illustrating how it encapsulates the grace and peace from the triune God. He highlights the distinct roles of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, focusing on Christ's titles as the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Pink elaborates on the doxology that arises from recognizing Christ's love and sacrifice, urging believers to reflect on the divine attributes and the necessity of glorifying God. He stresses that true doxology is directed solely to God, acknowledging His grace and the redemptive work of Christ. The sermon calls for a deeper appreciation of Christ's love, which is impartial, sacrificial, and eternal, culminating in the cleansing of believers from sin through His blood.
The Power of the Name
By Smith Wigglesworth0Faith and HealingPower of Jesus' NameMAT 18:20MRK 16:17LUK 10:17JHN 14:13JHN 16:23ACT 3:6ROM 10:13EPH 1:21PHP 2:9JAS 5:14Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the immense power in the name of Jesus, illustrating through various testimonies how faith in His name can lead to miraculous healings and transformations. He recounts a story of a sick man who, after persistent prayer and the whispering of Jesus' name, was healed and arose from his bed, demonstrating that true faith focuses on Jesus rather than circumstances. Wigglesworth encourages believers to recognize the authority and glory of Jesus' name, asserting that it is through faith in Him that all things are possible. He shares experiences from his ministry, including healings in Scandinavia, highlighting that God can work wonders through those who believe. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper appreciation of the name of Jesus, which holds the key to salvation and healing.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
By T. Austin-Sparks0Cosmic ConflictProclamation of the KingdomPSA 2:6MAT 24:14MAT 28:18JHN 12:31ROM 5:1EPH 1:21PHP 2:9COL 1:20COL 2:15HEB 1:2T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, which is fundamentally about the royal reign of Jesus Christ. He explains that this proclamation is not merely an announcement but a call to establish evidence of Christ's lordship in the world. The sermon highlights the cosmic conflict between the Kingdom of God and the usurper, Satan, and the necessity for Christians to embody the truth of the Gospel in their lives. Sparks challenges both believers and non-believers to recognize their allegiance to either Christ or the Devil, urging a response to the call of the Kingdom. Ultimately, he stresses the urgency of this mission as the fulfillment of God's plan awaits the testimony of His Church.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Far above all principality - The difficulty in this verse does not arise from the words themselves, the meaning of each being easily understood, but from the sense in which the apostle uses them. Some think he has reference here to the different orders among good and evil angels; he is superior to all the former, and rules all the latter. Others think he refers to earthly governments; and as αρχη, principality, the first word, signifies the most sovereign and extensive kind of dominion; and κυριοτης, lordship, the last word, signifies the lowest degree of authority; hence we are to understand that to our Lord, in his human nature, are subjected the highest, the intermediate, and the lowest orders of beings in the universe. - Chandler. Others imagine that the apostle has in view, by whatsoever is named in this world, all the dignitaries of the Jewish Church; and by what is named in the world to come, all the dignities that should be found in the Christian Church. Schoettgen supposes that the "apostle's αρχη (for αρχοντες, the abstract for the concrete) means the same as the נשיאים Nesiim among the Jews, whose chief business it was to clear and decide all contentions which arose concerning traditions and legal controversies. "That εξουσια, power, is the same as צורבא tsorba, he who possesses authority to propound, expound, persuade, convince, and refute. "That δυναμις, might, answers to רבנות rabbanoth, signifying all the class of rabbins, whose office it was to expound the law, and teach the people generally. "And that κυριοτης, dominion, answers to מר mar, which signifies a person above the lower orders of men. And he observes that Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, called fishermen, publicans, and men from the lowest orders of the people, to the work of the ministry; and made them instruments of confounding and overturning all the Jewish rulers, rabbins, and doctors. And that in the world which is to come - the successive ages of Christianity, he should ever be exalted above all those powers and authorities which Antichrist might bring into the Christian Church; such as popes, cardinals, wicked archbishops, bishops, deans, and canons; and all those who among the schoolmen were termed seraphic doctors, angelic doctors, most illuminated, most perfect, and irrefragable doctors. And although Wiclif, Huss, Luther, Melancthon, and the rest of the reformers, were men of little or no note when compared with the rulers of the popish Church, so eminently did the power of Christ work in and by them, that the pope and all his adjutants were every where confounded, and their power and authority annihilated in several entire regions." It is certain that the apostle means that all created power, glory, and influence, are under Christ; and hence it is added:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Greek, "Far (or high) above all (Eph 4:10) principality (or rule, Co1 15:24), and authority, and power (Mat 28:18), and dominion (or lordship)." Compare Phi 2:9; Col 1:16; Heb 7:26; Pe1 3:22. Evil spirits (who are similarly divided into various ranks, Eph 6:12), as well as angels of light, and earthly potentates, are included (compare Rom 8:38). Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev 19:16). The higher is His honor, the greater is that of His people, who are His members joined to Him, the Head. Some philosophizing teachers of the school of Simon Magus, in Western Asia Minor, had, according to IRENÆUS and EPIPHANIUS, taught their hearers these names of various ranks of angels. Paul shows that the truest wisdom is to know Christ as reigning above them all. every name--every being whatever. "Any other creature" (Rom 8:39). in this world--Greek, "age," that is, the present order of things. "Things present . . . things to come" (Rom 8:38). that . . . to come--"Names which now we know not, but shall know hereafter in heaven. We know that the emperor goes before all, though we cannot enumerate all the satraps and ministers of his court; so we know that Christ is set above all, although we cannot name them all" [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Far above all principality and power,.... Good angels and bad angels, and civil magistrates, who also may be intended by the following words: and might and dominion; good angels may be so called, because of their employment under God in the affairs of Providence, and the government of this world; and Christ is not only above them, as he is God, being their Creator, who has made them, and on whom they depend, and is the Lord whom they serve, and is the object of their worship and adoration, and as he is Mediator, to whom they minister, and so is above them in nature, name, and office; but also as he is man, in union with the Son of God; and chiefly he here is said to be above them on account of place, being at the right hand of God, where they are not, Heb 1:13. And evil angels may be so called, because of the government which subsists among themselves, and the power and influence they have over mankind; Christ was above them when here on earth, as appears by his resisting the temptations of Satan, and defeating him in them; by his dispossessing devils from the bodies of men; by his spoiling and destroying them and their works at his death; and by his leading them captive, and triumphing over them at his ascension; and by delivering souls out of his hands at conversion, through his power attending the ministration of his Gospel; and his being above them will still be more manifest, in the binding of Satan a thousand years, and in the final condemnation of him, and of all his angels under him: civil magistrates are sometimes called by these names, and Christ is above them; they receive their governments from him, they rule by him, and are accountable to him, and are set up and put down at his pleasure; all these senses may be taken in; but the first seems chiefly designed: it is added, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; persons of authority and dignity, of fame and renown, whether in earth or heaven; as emperors, kings, princes, nobles, generals of armies &c. in this world, and cherubim, seraphim, &c. in the other world: this phrase denotes both the extensiveness of Christ's kingdom, and the eternity of it; as reaching to both worlds, and being over everything in them, and as lasting to the end of this, and unto that which is to come.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:21 he is far above: Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in this age and the coming age (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Rom 8:38-39; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 12:7-9).