Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:21

What does Ephesians 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:21 means

Christ is enthroned “far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named,” transcending every spiritual and earthly power, “not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” His supremacy is comprehensive and timeless. No rival, human or demonic, can threaten his reign. For believers in a city like Ephesus, surrounded by spiritualism and imperial claims, this assurance is vital. The risen Lord’s name surpasses all others, guaranteeing the church’s security and mission. Our confidence rests in the exalted Christ who reigns now and will reign forever.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Far over all rule and authority and power and every name which is named, not only in the present order, but in that which is to come:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Above all principality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

above every principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in that to come;

Context

After asserting Christ’s resurrection and exaltation (verse 20), verse 21 magnifies the extent of his lordship—above every power and name across all ages. This prepares for verse 22, where God subjects all things under Christ’s feet and appoints him head over all things to the church. Verse 23 will then describe the church as Christ’s body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The argument crescendos from proof of power to universal supremacy to the church’s privileged relationship with the sovereign Christ.

v.20which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

v.21This passage

v.22and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:25

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

  • Hebrews 2:5

    For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.

  • Ephesians 3:10

    to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • Acts 4:12

    And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

  • Ephesians 6:12

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  • Matthew 12:32

    And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.

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