Ephesians 1:21 NIV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 1:21

Ephesians 1:21. All principality, &c.— These abstract names are frequently used in the New Testament, according to the stile of theeastern languages, for "those vested with power and dominion, &c. and that not only here on earth among men, but in heaven, among superior beings;" and so are often taken to express ranks and degrees of angels. Though they are generally agreed to do so here, yet there is no reason to exclude earthly potentates out of this text, when πασης, all, necessarily... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:21

21. Greek, "Far (or high) above all (Ephesians 4:10) principality (or rule, 1 Corinthians 15:24), and authority, and power (1 Corinthians 15:24- :), and dominion (or lordship)." Compare Philippians 2:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:22. Evil spirits (who are similarly divided into various ranks, 1 Peter 3:22- :), as well as angels of light, and earthly potentates, are included (compare Romans 8:38). Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Romans 8:38- :). The higher is His... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:3-21

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING 1:3-3:21". . . the first three chapters are one long prayer, culminating in the great doxology at the end of chapter 3. There is in fact nothing like this in all Paul’s letters. This is the language of lyrical prayer, not the language of argument, and controversy, and rebuke." [Note: William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 76.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:15-23

2. The means: knowledge 1:15-23Having reviewed his readers’ blessings in Christ, Paul next prayed that they would appreciate and appropriate these good things in their own lives. He moved from benediction to intercession. Ephesians 1:15-23 are one sentence in the Greek text, as are Ephesians 1:3-14. Intellectual understanding is one thing, but it is also important that we use this knowledge to come into intimate relationship with God. That is what Paul prayed for in this prayer."For a healthy... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:17-23

Supplication 1:17-23 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:21

Christ’s ascension has resulted in His exaltation over every other authority (cf. Colossians 1:16), human and angelic (cf. Philippians 2:8-11), present and future (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23-28). The Jews believed angels controlled human destiny, but Paul saw Jesus Christ doing this. The rule, authority, power, and dominion in view are probably descriptions of evil angelic rulers. [Note: Hoehner, Ephesians, p. 279.] read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

Thanksgiving for Blessings and Prayer for Wisdom1, 2. The salutation. I. In the Salutations to the Colossians and to Philemon, written at the same time, ’Timothy the brother’ is coupled with St. Paul. He is omitted here because of the general character of the letter. At Ephesus was omitted for the same reason (see Intro.). The Apostle takes the whole responsibility of instructing Christians at large respecting ’the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).2. This is the usual salutation in the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1-23

[1.Introduction to the Epistle (Ephesians 1:1-23).(1) SALUTATION (Ephesians 1:1-2).(2) THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR—(a)The election of the whole Church before the world began, by the predestinating love of the Father, to holiness, grace, and glory (Ephesians 1:3-6);(b)this election depending on Redemption, in virtue of unity with Christ as the Head of all created Being (Ephesians 1:7-10);(c)and being manifested doubly, in the calling and faith, first of the Jewish, then of the Gentile Christians... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:21

(21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion.—The words here used are intended to include all possible forms of power, corresponding to the exhaustive enumeration in Philippians 2:10, “of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” The words rendered “principality and power” (more properly signifying “government and the authority committed to it”) are used in Luke 12:11; Luke 20:20; Titus 3:1, distinctively for earthly-powers; in 1 Corinthians... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ephesians 1:7 Forgiveness of sins lies at the very heart of the Christian religion. That title of our Lord which appeals most to the heart of mankind is the title which is His as Saviour. It is proclaimed in that fact which of all facts in history has most impressed itself upon the imagination of mankind, the Sacrifice of Christ. In the Apostles' Creed we say, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins'. It is a petition in that prayer which is the model of all prayer the Lord's Prayer, we pray,... read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 1:21

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:3-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:15-23

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:17-23

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:21

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:21

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 1:1-23

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