Ephesians 1:20-23
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The verse highlights that the same immense divine power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in heavenly glory is actively working in believers. This isn't just a past event; it's a present reality, showing that God’s power in us mirrors the power demonstrated in Christ’s ultimate exaltation.
that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining the incredible, world-changing power God has already put to work for believers. He just described this power in Ephesians 1:19 as "exceeding greatness" and now connects it directly to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This is not just a historical event, but the ultimate demonstration of God's might, placing Christ in a position of supreme authority above all things, both now and for eternity.
Paul reminds us that the same incredible power that brought Jesus back to life isn't just a past event. It's actively working within believers today.
Think about it: God's power is so immense that it raised Jesus from the dead, overcoming death itself.
Jesus isn't just alive; He's been placed in the highest position of honor and authority. Understanding this changes how we see our own standing in Him.
Jesus' resurrection wasn't the end of God's demonstration of power; it was followed by His exaltation.
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Understand the original words
dexios · Greek Noun/Adjective
The place of highest authority and honor. Seating at the right hand signifies participating in royal power and executing divine authority over all creation.
epouranios · Greek Adjective
The spiritual realm or domain where God dwells and from which He exercises His sovereign rule over the cosmos. It represents the ultimate reality beyond the earthly sphere.
arche · Greek Noun
A term used in the New Testament to describe various levels of angelic, demonic, or human governing powers. In this context, it refers to the sovereign authority held by Christ over all created hierarchies.
exousia · Greek Noun
Refers to delegated power, jurisdiction, or the right to act. In a spiritual sense, it denotes the spiritual beings or systems over which Christ has absolute supremacy.
dynamis · Greek Noun
Refers to inherent strength, capability, or active force. It highlights that no spiritual or physical force exists that is not subject to the power of the resurrected Christ.
kyriotēs · Greek Noun
Denotes lordship, sovereignty, or the realm of a king. It emphasizes Christ's unrivaled rule over all creation and all spiritual realms.
onoma · Greek Noun
In Hebrew and biblical thought, a name represents the essence, character, and authority of a person. Christ's name is superior to all others, signifying his unique and supreme identity.
aiōn · Greek Noun
Refers to the present era of human history under the influence of sin, contrasted with the coming eternal age of the Kingdom of God. Christ is sovereign over both the current world order and the future eternal order.
hypo podas · Greek Prepositional phrase
A metaphor for total subjection and victory. It is rooted in Old Testament imagery (e.g., Psalm 110:1) describing the complete defeat and surrender of an enemy to a king.
kephalē · Greek Noun
Refers to Christ's position of supreme authority, guidance, and source of life for the church. It signifies that the church derives its direction and existence entirely from him.
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
The assembly of believers called out of the world to belong to God. In this context, it is viewed as a living, organic organism united with Christ as its head.
sōma · Greek Noun
A metaphor for the church as the living organism that expresses Christ's life on earth. It implies unity, interdependence, and the necessity of the Head for the body to function.
plērōma · Greek Noun
Refers to the state of being filled or the totality of what is contained. It denotes that the church is the recipient of Christ's overflowing presence and blessings, reaching completion in Him.
plēroō · Greek Verb
A verb describing the continuous, comprehensive activity of Christ. It indicates that Christ is the one who actively permeates, completes, and sustains the entire universe.
The immense power God displayed in raising Jesus from the dead and exalting Him is the very same power now at work in believers, enabling their spiritual transformation and securing their future in the heavenly realms.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and dies, representing a low point of apparent defeat and the ultimate consequence of sin.
c. AD 30-33
Resurrection of Jesus
God powerfully raises Jesus from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin, death, and the grave, and validating Jesus' claims.
c. AD 30-33
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends to the heavenly realms and is seated at God's right hand, signifying His exaltation, authority, and ongoing reign.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is poured out on Jesus' followers, empowering them and enabling them to understand and participate in God's saving work.
c. AD 40s-50s
Early Spread of the Gospel
The Apostle Paul, empowered by the Spirit, travels and establishes churches, spreading the message of Christ's resurrection and exaltation throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 60-62
Writing of Ephesians
Paul, likely imprisoned in Rome, writes his letter to the Ephesians, explaining the profound spiritual realities now available to believers through Christ's exalted status.
This passage describes Christ as the head of the body, the church, and the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing his supremacy and role in bringing new life, mirroring the resurrection power shown in Ephesians 1:20.
Philippians 2:9-11It highlights God exalting Christ to the highest place and giving him a name above all names as a result of his obedience and death, directly correlating with Christ being seated at God's right hand in heavenly places.
1 Peter 3:22This verse explicitly states that Christ has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers in subjection to him, reinforcing the cosmic significance of Christ's exaltation.
Romans 8:11It speaks of the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in believers, connecting the resurrection power demonstrated in Christ to the indwelling power available to followers of Christ.
Hebrews 1:3This passage describes Christ as the one who, after making purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, emphasizing his finished work and supreme position after his resurrection.
vincentEphesians 1:20: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,"
Which (ἣν)Refer to working (Ephesians 1:19).He wrought (ἐνήργησεν)The best texts read ἐνήργηκεν, perfect tense, He hath wrought. The verb is kindred with working (Ephesians 1:19).In ChristIn the case of Christ. Christ's dead body was the point on which this working of divine power was exhibited. See Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:14.When He raised (ἐγεί…
gillEphesians 1:20: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,"
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,.... There are many articles of faith contained in this passage; as that Christ died, that he is raised from the dead, that he was raised from the dead by God the Father, and that his resurrection was by the power of God: the resurrection of any person is an instance of great power, but Christ's res…
The verse highlights that the same immense divine power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in heavenly glory is actively working in believers. This isn't just a past event; it's a present reality, showing that God’s power in us mirrors the power demonstrated in Christ’s ultimate exaltation.
Paul is explaining the incredible, world-changing power God has already put to work for believers. He just described this power in Ephesians 1:19 as "exceeding greatness" and now connects it directly to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This is not just a historical event, but the ultimate demonstration of God's might, placing Christ in a position of supreme authority above all things, both now and for eternity.
Paul is explaining the incredible, world-changing power God has already put to work for believers. He just described this power in Ephesians 1:19 as "exceeding greatness" and now connects it directly to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This is not just a historical event, but the ultimate demonstration of God's might, placing Christ in a position of supreme authority above all things, both now and for eternity.
"that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also i…" — The verse highlights that the same immense divine power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in heavenly glory is actively working in believers. This isn't just a past event; it's a pr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
