Ephesians 1:20-23
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)
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What's easy to miss is that the same immense power God used to raise Christ from the dead and seat Him in heavenly glory is the very same power that He actively works within believers. This verse connects Christ's ultimate exaltation directly to His ongoing work in us, showing that His resurrection isn't just a past event, but the source of divine power for our lives today.
Paul is detailing the incredible power God exerts on behalf of believers, linking it to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This follows his prayer that believers might know this power, which is the same immense force God demonstrated when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the highest heavenly authority. This act of raising and seating Christ is presented as the ultimate display of God's power, serving as the foundation for the spiritual life and heavenly position of believers.
When God wants to show off His power, what's the ultimate example? It’s not just a grand creation, but something even more personal and profound.
Paul isn't just talking about God's general power here; he's pointing to a specific, world-shattering event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Power Unleashed
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Imagine being given the highest seat of honor and authority. What does Christ's position signify for His followers?
Being 'seated at God's right hand' isn't just a symbolic gesture of honor; it's a declaration of Christ's supreme authority and reign.
A Position of Power
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 resurrection and exaltation of Christ are not abstract events, but historical demonstrations of God's immense power, directly paralleled by the spiritual power God exerts in believers' lives today.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate, dies, and is buried.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus
God raises Jesus from the dead, demonstrating His divine power and validating Jesus' work. This event is foundational to Christian faith.
c. 30 AD
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus is taken up into heaven, signifying His exaltation and seating at God's right hand, signifying His supreme authority.
c. 30-33 AD
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers, empowering them to spread the gospel and signifying the inauguration of the new covenant.
c. 45-60 AD
Apostolic Ministry and Church Planting
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, travel throughout the Roman Empire establishing churches and spreading the Christian faith.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment and Writing Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, likely imprisoned in Rome, writes the Epistle to the Ephesians, explaining the theological significance of Christ's work and the Church.
This passage directly parallels the resurrection of believers to the power God displayed in raising Christ from the dead, highlighting the same divine energy at work.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage describes Christ's exaltation to the highest place of honor and authority, mirroring the 'seated at his right hand' imagery and emphasizing the scope of His reign.
Colossians 1:18This verse identifies Christ as the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead, connecting His resurrection and supremacy to His role over the church.
1 Peter 3:22This verse states that Christ has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him, directly supporting the description of His exalted position.
Hebrews 1:3This verse speaks of Christ, after making purification for sins, sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, echoing the theme of His exalted status and finished work.
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…
What's easy to miss is that the same immense power God used to raise Christ from the dead and seat Him in heavenly glory is the very same power that He actively works within believers. This verse connects Christ's ultimate exaltation directly to His ongoing work in us, showing that His resurrection isn't just a past event, but the source of divine power for our lives today.
Paul is detailing the incredible power God exerts on behalf of believers, linking it to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This follows his prayer that believers might know this power, which is the same immense force God demonstrated when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the highest heavenly authority. This act of raising and seating Christ is presented as the ultimate display of God's power, serving as the foundation for the spiritual life and heavenly position of believers.
Paul is detailing the incredible power God exerts on behalf of believers, linking it to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This follows his prayer that believers might know this power, which is the same immense force God demonstrated when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the highest heavenly authority. This act of raising and seating Christ is presented as the ultimate display of God's power, serving as the foundation for the spiritual life and heavenly position of believers.
"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…" — What's easy to miss is that the same immense power God used to raise Christ from the dead and seat Him in heavenly glory is the very same power that He actively works within believers. This verse con…
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