Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:23

What does Ephesians 1:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:23 means

The church is “his body,” organically united to Christ the head. Paul then calls the church “the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” This means the church is the appointed sphere where Christ’s fullness is expressed on earth; as the ascended Lord fills all things, he particularly manifests his presence and grace in his people. Not that Christ is incomplete without the church, but that he chooses to display his completed work through his body. This exalts the church’s calling and assures her of Christ’s active presence, empowering her to reflect his life in the world he fills.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all:

Context

Verse 23 completes the chapter’s movement from blessing to prayer to exaltation applied to the church. Having shown Christ as head over all (verse 22), Paul identifies the church’s intimate union with him and her role in manifesting his fullness. This conclusion prepares for chapter 2, where Paul will explain how individuals are made alive with Christ and how Jews and Gentiles are made one body. The frame remains consistent: all blessings and the church’s identity flow from union with the risen, reigning Christ who fills all in all.

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

v.23This passage

Cross references

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

  • John 1:16

    For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.

  • Colossians 2:9

    for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:28

    And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • Ephesians 5:23

    For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

  • Ephesians 2:16

    and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

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