Ephesians 1:23

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Ephesians 1:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

King James Version KJV

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

American Standard Version ASV

which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Which is his body, the full measure of him in whom all things are made complete.

Free Bible Version FBV

which is his body, filled full and made complete by Christ, who fills and brings everything to completion.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Which is his body, euen the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

which is his body, the fulness of Him who is filling the all in all,

World English Bible WEB

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.

Translation for Translators T4T

We believers relate to Christ like the parts of a person’s body [MET] relate to its head. Christ uses all his power among us just like he uses his power throughout the whole universe.

Plain English Version PEV

Jesus lives in God’s people, like we are his body, and Jesus is our head. He comes into his people and fills them up. He is the boss over everything, everywhere.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ephesians 1:23

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Word Study

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Ephesians 1:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ητις εστιν το σωμα αυτου το πληρωμα του τα παντα εν πασιν πληρουμενου

ητις hostis, hētis G3748 who/which Rel-NSF

εστιν eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-3S

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

σωμα sōma G4983 body Noun-NSN

αυτου autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GSM

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

πληρωμα plērōma G4138 fulfillment Noun-NSN

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

τα ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APN

παντα pas G3956 all Adj-APN

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

πασιν pas G3956 all Adj-DPN

πληρουμενου plēroō G4137 to fulfill Verb-PMP-GSM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Ephesians 1:23

ητις hostis, hētis G3748 "who/which" Rel-NSF

This word means 'who' or 'which' and is used to ask about someone or something's identity, like in Matthew 5:39. It's often used to make general statements.

Definition: ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅ τι (also written ὅ, τι and ὅτι; see LS, see word; WH, §411; Tdf., Pr., 111), in NT scarcely ever except in nom. (M, Pr., 91), the only instance of the oblique cases being found in ἕως ὅτου (see: ἕως), relative of indef. reference (related to simple ὅς as Lat. quisquis to qui), whoever, anyone who; __(a) of an indef. person or thing: in general statements, Mat.5:39, 41 13:12, and freq., Luk.14:27, Gal.5:4, al.; in relative sentences, Mat.7:26, Luk.15:7, Php.3:7, al.; πᾶς, with indic., Mat.7:24 10:32; ὅ ἄν (ἐάν), with subjc., Mat.12:50 13:12, Jhn.14:13, 1Co.16:2, Gal.5:10, al.; __(b) of a definite person or thing, indicating quality, "either generic, which, as other like things, or essential, which by its very nature" (Hort on 1Pe.2:11), who is such as: Mat.2:6 7:26, Luk.2:10 7:37, Jhn.8:53, Act.7:53, Rom.6:2, 1Co.3:17, Gal.4:24, Eph.1:23, al.; __(with) where the relative sentence expresses a reason, consequence, etc. (M, Pr., 92), seeing that he (it, they), and he (it, they): Luk.8:3 10:42, Act.10:47 11:28, Php.4:3, al.; __(d) as in Ionic and late Greek (Bl., §50, 1; M, Pr., l.with), differing but little from ὅς: Luk.2:4 9:30, Act.17:10, Rev.12:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 136 NT verses. KJV: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:17; Luke 2:4; 1 Peter 2:11.

εστιν eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σωμα sōma G4983 "body" Noun-NSN

The word for body refers to the whole physical person, used literally or figuratively in the Bible, as seen in Matthew 27:58 and 1 Corinthians 6:13.

Definition: σῶμα, -τος, τό, [in LXX for גְּוִיָּה ,בָּשָׂר, etc., and for Aram. נְבֵלָה ;] a body. __1. Prop., of the human body, __(a) as always in Hom. (opposite to δέμας), of the dead body: Mat.27:58, 59 Mrk.15:43, al.; __(b) of the living body: Luk.11:34, 1Co.6:13, al.; ἐν σ. εἶναι, Heb.13:3; as the instrument of the soul, τὰ διὰ τοῦ σ., 2Co.5:10; opposite to πνεῦμα, Rom.8:10, 1Co.5:3 7:4, Jas.2:26; to ψυχή, Mat.6:25 10:28, Luk.12:22 (cf. Wis.1:1, al.); to τὸ π. καὶ ἡ ψ., 1Th.5:23; σ. ψυχικόν, opposite to σ. πνευματικόν, 1Co.15:44; ὁ ναὸς τοῦ σ. αὐτοῦ (genitive epexeg.), Jhn.2:21; τὸ σ. τ. ταπεινώσεως (Hebraistic "genitive of definition"; M, Pr., 73f.; Bl., §35, 5), opposite to τὸ σ. τ. δοξῆς αὐτοῦ, Php.3:21; similarly, τὸ σ. τ. σαρκός, Col.1:22; σ. τοῦ θανάτου (subject to death), Rom.7:24; σ. τ. ἁμαρτίας, Rom.6:6; __(with) periphr., ἀνθρώπου, then absol., σῶμα (Soph., Xen., al.), a person, and in later writers (Polyb., al.), a slave: Rev.18:13 (cf. MM, i, ii, xxiv; Deiss., BS, 160). __2. Of the bodies of animals: living, Jas.3:3; dead, Heb.13:11 ( Exo.29:14, al.). __3. Of inanimate objects (cf. Eng. "heavenly bodies"): 1Co.15:37, 38 40 (Diod., al.). __4. Of any corporeal substance (Plat., al.): opposite to σκιά, Col.2:17. Metaphorical, of a number of persons united by a common bond; in NT, of the Church as the spiritual body of Christ: Rom.12:5, 1Co.10:16, 17 12:13, 27, Eph.1:23 2:16 4:4, 12, 16 5:23, 30, Col.1:18, 24 2:19 3:15; ἓν σ. κ. ἓν πνεῦμα, Eph.4:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 122 NT verses. KJV: bodily, body, slave See also: 1 Corinthians 5:3; Galatians 6:17; 1 Peter 2:24.

αυτου autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πληρωμα plērōma G4138 "fulfillment" Noun-NSN

The word refers to fulfillment or completion, like the fullness of God's power and love, as described in John 1:16 and Ephesians 1:23, where it talks about the fullness of Christ.

Definition: πλήρωμα, -τος, τό (πληρόω), [in LXX for מְלֹא ;] the result of the action involved in πληρόω (Lft., Col., 255 if.; AR, Eph., 255 ff.), hence, __1. in passive sense, that which has been completed, complement, plenitude, fullness (in Xen., Luc., Polyb., al., of a ship's crew or cargo, and by meton. of the ship itself) : Jhn.1:16, Rom.11:12, 25 15:29, 1Co.10:26" (LXX) Eph.1:23 (AR, 42 ff.) Eph.3:19 (AR. 87 ff.) Eph.4:13, Col.1:19 2:9; of time, Gal.4:4, Eph.1:10; κοφίνων (σφυρίδων) πληρώματα, basketfuls, Mrk.6:43 8:20. __2. In active sense (= πλήρωσις, as frequently in words of these formations, cf. κτίσις, and see MM, xx); __(a) that which fills up (but see Lft., l.with) : Mat.9:16, Mrk.2:21; __(b) a filling up, completing, fulfilment: Rom.13:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness See also: 1 Corinthians 10:26; Galatians 4:4; Romans 11:12.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

τα ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

παντα pas G3956 "all" Adj-APN

This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.

Definition: πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. __I. As adj., __1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. __2. C. art. (before the art., after the noun, or, denoting totality, between the art. and noun), all, whole: Mat.8:32 13:2, Mrk.5:33, Luk.1:10, Act.7:14, Rom.3:19, Gal.5:14, Eph.4:16, al.; pl., Mat.2:4, Mrk.4:13, Rom.1:5, al. __II. As pron., __1. masc. and fem., every one: Mrk.9:49, Luk.16:16, Heb.2:9; before rel. pron., Mat.7:24, Act.2:21, Gal.3:10, al.; with ptcp. (anarth.), Mat.13:19, Luk.11:4; with ptcp. (with art.), Mat.5:22, Mrk.7:8, Luk.6:47, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:16, al.; pl., πάντες, absol., all, all men, Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, Luk.20:38, Jhn.1:7 3:26, 1Co.8:1, al.; οἱ π. (collectively, as a definite whole), Rom.11:32, 1Co.1:17, Eph.4:13, al.; π. οἱ (ὅσοι), Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:32, Luk.4:40, al. __2. Neut., __(a) sing., πᾶν, everything, all: πᾶν τό, with ptcp., 1Co.10:25, 27, Eph.5:13, 1Jn.2:16 5:4 (sc. ὄν); πᾶν ὅ, Jhn.17:2, Rom.14:23; collectively, of persons (Westc., in l.), Jhn.6:37, 39; with prep., in adverbial phrases, διὰ παντός, always, Mat.18:10, al.; ἐν παντί, in everything, in every way, 2Co.4:8, Phi 4:6, al.; __(b) pl., πάτνα, all things: absol., Jhn.1:3, 1Co.2:10, Heb.2:8, al.; of certain specified things, Mrk.4:34, Luk.1:3, Rom.8:28, 1Th.5:21, al.; accusative, πάντα, adverbially, wholly, in all things, in all respects, Act.20:35, 1Co.9:25, al.; with art., τὰ π., all things (a totality, as distinct from anarth. πάντα, all things severally; cf. Westc, Eph., 186f.), absol.: Rom.11:36, 1Co.8:6, Eph.3:9, Heb.1:3, al.; relatively, Mrk.4:11, Act.17:25, Rom.8:32, al.; πάντα, with ptcp., Mat.18:31, al.; πάντα ταῦτα (ταῦτα π.), Mat.6:32, 33, al.; πάντα, with prep, in adverbial phrases, πρὸ πάντων, above all things, Jas.5:12, 1Pe.4:8; ἐν π́, in all things, in all ways, 1Ti.3:11, 1Pe.4:11, al.; κατὰ πάντα, in all respects, Act.17:22, al. __3. C. neg., πᾶς οὐ (μή) = οὐδείς, see: οὐ and μή, and cf. M, Pr., 245f. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1080 NT verses. KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 1:15.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

πασιν pas G3956 "all" Adj-DPN

This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.

πληρουμενου plēroō G4137 "to fulfill" Verb-PMP-GSM

This verb means to fulfill or make something complete, like filling a net or satisfying a need, as in Matthew 13:48 and Philippians 4:19, where it talks about filling every need.

Definition: πληρόω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא ;] __1. to fill, make full, fill to the full, with accusative; __(a) of things : pass. (σαψήνη, φάραγξ), Mat.13:48, Luk.3:5" (LXX) ; figuratively, Mat.23:32; but chiefly of immaterial things: πᾶσαν χρείαν, Php.4:19; ἦχος ἐλήρωσε τ. οἶκον, Act.2:2; with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.5:28; pass., before ἐκ, Jhn.12:3 (cf. B1., § 36, 4); π. τ. καρδίαν, Jhn.16:6, Act.5:3; metaphorically, of the all-pervading activity of Christ, Eph.4:10; mid., Eph.1:23; __(b) of persons: to fill with, cause to abound in : with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.2:28 (LXX), Rom.15:13; pass., to be filled with, abound in: Eph.3:19, Php.4:18; with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.13:52, Rom.15:14, 2Ti.1:4; with dative (Æsch., al.), Luk.2:40 (with genitive, T), Rom.1:29, 2Co.7:4; with accusative (so in π., see MM, xx), Php.1:11, Col.1:9; before ἐν, Eph.5:18, Col.2:10. __2. to complete; __(a) to complete, fulfil: of number, Rev.6:11, WH, tat.; of time (MM, xx), Mrk.1:15, Luk.21:24, Jhn.7:8, Act.7:23, 30 9:23 24:27; ἐυδοκίαν, 2Th.1:11; τ. χαράν, Php.2:2; pass., Jhn.3:29 15:11 16:24 17:13, 1Jn.1:4, 2Jn.12; τ. ἔργα, Rev.3:2; ἡ ὑπακυή, 2Co.10:6; τ. πάσχα, Luk.22:16; __(b) to execute, accomplish, carry out to the full: Mat.3:15, Luk.7:1 9:31, Act.12:25 13:25 14:26 19:21, Rom.8:4 13:8 15:19, Gal.5:14, Col.1:25 4:17, Rev.6:11, T, WH, R, mg.; __(with) of sayings, prophecies, etc., to bring to pass, fulfil: Mat.1:22 2:15, 17 2:23 4:14 5:17 8:17 12:17 13:35 21:4 26:54, 56 27:9, Mrk.14:49 15:28 (WH, R, txt. om.), Luk.1:20 4:21 24:44, Jhn.12:38 13:18 15:25 17:12 18:9, 32 19:24, 36, Act.1:16 3:18 13:27, Jas.2:23 (cf. Lft., Col., 255 ff.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 88 NT verses. KJV: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply See also: 1 John 1:4; John 18:9; James 2:23.

Study Notes — Ephesians 1:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ephesians 1:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 1:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 1:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23
Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23
Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 1:23
Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23
Sermons on Ephesians 1:23

Context — Spiritual Wisdom

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. 22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,

23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Colossians 1:18–19	And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
2	John 1:16	From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
3	Colossians 2:9–10	For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
4	Ephesians 4:12	to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
5	Ephesians 3:19	of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
6	Ephesians 4:10	He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.
7	1 Corinthians 15:28	And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.
8	Colossians 1:24	Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
9	1 Corinthians 12:12–27	The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.
10	Colossians 3:15	Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

Ephesians 1:23 Summary

This verse means that the church is like Christ's physical body on earth, with each member playing a vital role. Just like our bodies have many parts that work together, the church is made up of many members who work together to fulfill God's plan (1 Corinthians 12:27). As the body of Christ, we are to reflect His fullness and character to the world, just as Christ is the fullness of God (Colossians 2:9-10). By submitting to Christ's leadership and authority, we can live out this reality and bring glory to God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that the church is the body of Christ?

This means that the church is the physical representation of Christ on earth, with each member playing a vital role, as seen in Ephesians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 12:27. Just as our bodies have many parts that work together to function properly, the church is made up of many members who work together to fulfill God's plan.

How can Christ fill all things and still be distinct from them?

This is a mystery of God's nature, but we see in Colossians 1:17 that Christ is before all things and in Him all things hold together. He is the sustainer of all creation, and yet He remains distinct from it, as seen in Isaiah 46:9.

What does 'the fullness of Him' mean in this context?

This phrase means that the church is the complete and perfect representation of Christ's nature and character, as seen in Colossians 2:9-10. It emphasizes that Christ is the head of the church and that we, as His body, are to reflect His fullness to the world.

How does this verse relate to Christ's authority over all things?

This verse is closely tied to the previous verse, which states that God put everything under Christ's feet. As the head of the church, Christ has authority over all things, and the church is to submit to His leadership and reflect His glory to the world, as seen in Ephesians 5:23-24.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean for me to be a part of Christ's body, and how should I live out this reality in my daily life?
How can I ensure that I am submitting to Christ's leadership and authority in my life, and what are the benefits of doing so?
What are some ways that I can reflect Christ's fullness to those around me, and what are some obstacles that might hinder this reflection?
How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of Christ's nature and character, and what role does the church play in this process?

Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body,.... That is, which church is the body of Christ; as an human body is but one, consisting of various members, united to each other, and set in an exact proportion and symmetry, and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Which is , [ heetis (G3748)] - inasmuch as she is. His body - His mystical body. Not merely figurative. He is really, though spiritually, the Church's Head.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body; i.e. a mystical one, whereof every member is influenced by the Spirit of Christ the Head, as in the natural body the members are influenced by spirits derived from the natural head. The fulness of him: the church is called the fulness of Christ, not personally, but relatively considered, and as Head of the church. The head is incomplete without the body; Christ in his relative capacity as a Head, would not be complete without his mystical body the church. That filleth all in all: lest Christ should be thought to have any need of the church, because of her being said to be his fulness, it is added, that she herself is filled by Christ. Christ fills all his body, and all the members of it, with the gifts and graces of his Spirit, .

Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ver. 23. The fulness of him] That is, of Christ, who having voluntarily subjected himself to be our Head, accounts not himself complete without his members. In which respect we have the honour of making Christ perfect as the members do the body. That filleth all in all] Not only all the saints, but all of the saints; all their capacities, all their powers, parts, desires, endeavours. Thus he filleth παντα, ενπασι, all, and in all ordinances, occurrences, providences, relations, comforts, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23

(23) The fulness of him that filleth all in all.—The word pleroma, “fulness,” is used in a definite and almost technical sense in the Epistles of the Captivity, and especially in the Epistle to the Colossians, having clear reference to the speculations as to the Divine Nature and the emanations from it, already anticipating the future Gnosticism. The word itself is derived from a verb signifying, first, to “fill;” next (more frequently in the New Testament), to “fulfil” or complete. It is found (1) in a physical sense of the “full contents” of the baskets, in Mark 6:43; Mark 8:20; and of the earth, in 1 Corinthians 10:26-28; and in Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, it is applied to the patch of new cloth on an old garment. It is used next (2) of fulness, in sense of the “complete tale or number,” “of time” and “seasons,” in Ephesians 1:10, Galatians 4:4; of the Jews and Gentiles in Romans 11:12; Romans 11:25. In the third place (3) it is applied to the full essence, including all the attributes, of a thing or person; as of the Law (Romans 13:10), and of the blessing of Christ (Romans 15:29). Lastly (4), in these Epistles it is applied, almost technically, to the fulness of the Divine Nature. Thus, in Colossians 1:19 we have, “It pleased the Father that in Christ all the fulness”—i.e., all the fulness of the Divine Nature—“should dwell;” or (to take an admissible but less probable construction) “In Him all the fulness is pleased to dwell;” and this is explained in Ephesians 2:9, “In Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Similarly, though less strikingly, we read in this Epistle, that those who are in Christ are said (in Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13) “to be filled up to all the fulness of God,” and “to come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. In which of these last senses is the Church here said to be the “fulness of Christ?” If in any, probably in the last of all. As the individual, so the Church, by the presence “of Him who filleth up all things for Himself in all,” comes to be “His fulness,” the complete image of Him in all His glorified humanity. But it may be questioned whether it is not better to take here a different sense, corresponding to the “patch” in Matthew 9:16, and signifying the “complement.” In the original Greek of Euclid (in Book 1., Prop. 4), the cognate word, parapleroma, is used of “the complements.” In this compound word the idea is, no doubt, more unequivocally expressed. But of the simple word here employed it may be reasonably contended that, if one thing or person alone is contemplated, the pleroma must be the fulness of the one nature; if, as here, two are brought in, each will be the “complement” to the other—as the patch to the garment, and the garment to the patch.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23

Verse 23. Which is his body] As he is head over all things, he is head to the Church; and this Church is considered as the body of which he is especially the head; and from him, as the head, the Church receives light, life, and intelligence. And is the fulness of him] That in which he especially manifests his power, goodness, and truth; for though he fills all the world with his presence, yet he fills all the members of his mystical body with wisdom, goodness, truth, and holiness, in an especial manner. Some understand the fulness or πληρωμα, here, as signifying the thing to be filled; so the Christian Church is to be filled by him, whose fulness fills all his members, with all spiritual gifts and graces. And this corresponds with what St. John says, John 1:16: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. And with what is said, 2 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 2:10: Ye are complete in him; καιεστεεναυτῳπεπληρωμενοι· And ye are in him filled full; i.e. with gifts and grace. How, in any other sense, the Church can be said to be the fulness of him who fills all in all, is difficult to say. However, as Jesus Christ is represented to be the head, and the Church, the body under that head, the individuals being so many members in that body; and as it requires a body and members to make a head complete; so it requires a Church, or general assembly of believers, to make up the body of Christ. When, therefore, the Jews and Gentiles are brought into this Church, the body may be said to be complete; and thus Christ has his visible fulness upon earth, and the Church may be said to be the fulness of him, &c. See Ephesians 1:10.

Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 1:23

Which is his body - This comparison of the church with “a person” or body, of which the Lord Jesus is the head, is not uncommon in the New Testament; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1

Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 1:23

23. His body—So that he and the Church are one conceptual person. He unifies, vivifies, inspires that body with which, as its head, he is identical and one. All in all, is expressly limited in the parallel passage.

Sermons on Ephesians 1:23

	Sermon	Description
	(Ephesians) Ephesians 1:18-2:9 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God has called each individual for a specific purpose. He compares the body of Christ to the human body, s
	The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 6 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus as a prophet and a supreme example of God's sovereignty. The purpose of Jesus' life was to rebuke and show what God r
	Two Natures by Norman Grubb	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the development of spiritual life within their fellowship. They observe that in the past, relationships were based on fleshly values and onl
	The Mystery of Incarnation (5 of 9) by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of arriving late to a meeting and feeling out of place. He expresses his observation that the people in the meeting lack a tragic
	What Is Spiritual Fullness by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the fullness of God's grace and truth through Jesus Christ. He highlights how Jesus demonstrated mercy, love,
	The Fullness of the Mediator. by John Gill	John Gill preaches on the fullness of Christ as the Mediator, emphasizing that all fullness dwells in Him as the embodiment of divine attributes and grace. He explains that this fu
	Called Out and Called Into by H.J. Vine	H.J. Vine preaches on 'The God of Glory' showcasing how God called Abraham, Moses, Israel, and the Church into divine purposes and blessings through separation and obedience. Abrah