Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 1

Christ rules over all

Ephesians 1:21

Each country has a king, president or other ruler who has greater authority than anyone else in that country. Usually, the tradition is that he uses his signature to give legal authority to the government’s laws and declarations. It is his name, therefore, that causes everyone to recognise his power, authority and honour. His name has greater authority than any other name in that country.

God the Father has given to Christ, his Son, that kind of power and authority over all things (Matthew 28:18; see also Psalms 2 and 110). So, Revelation 19:16 calls him the ‘King of kings’; in other words, the King who has authority over all kings and rulers. Of course not everyone accepts his authority now, but in the future, all people will give him honour (Philippians 2:9-11).

Christ rules both our natural world, and also the spirit world. When he makes his judgement, even his greatest enemies - death (1 Corinthians 15:25-26 and 15:54-57), hell and the devil - will have to obey him (Revelation 20:10-14). Even now, God controls the power of these evil forces (Job chapters 1 and 2; Romans 8:28-39), but in the end, Christ will completely defeat them.

Christ rules both heaven and earth. The most important angels (God’s special servants) in heaven are extremely powerful (Daniel 10:10-14), but they gladly accept Christ’s authority (Psalm 148:2). In fact, they constantly praise him and give him honour (Revelation 5:11-12).

Christ rules both the present and the future age. His rule will never end. In the present age, some people and some spirits do not accept his authority - but, at the end of the age, Christ will be their judge (Matthew 25:31-32). In the future age, his authority over all things and all people will be absolute (Revelation chapter 21). All will obey him.

Next part: Paul describes Christ as the 'head' (Ephesians 1:22-23)

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