Ephesians 1:21

Ephesians 1:21

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

a. NLT: Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

b. NIV: far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;

d. Amplified Bible: Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.

e. Worrell Translation: Far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come;

f. Peshitta Eastern Text: Far above all angels and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in the world which is to come.

1. “Far above all principality, power, and might, and dominion…”

a. far above [Strong: 5231 * huperano hoop-er-an'-o from 5228 and 507; above upward, i.e. greatly higher (in place or rank):--far above, over.]

b. all [Strong: 3956 *  pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.] [Thayer: individually, each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything, collectively, some of all types.]

1). This verse is included in a passage detailing the authority that was given to believers, the church, the body of Christ, when Christ Jesus rose from the dead. Remember what he told the disciples in Matthew 28:18, 19 He said “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” That same power was given to the church, to believers, for them to preach the gospel to every person on earth. That same authority is what is being spoken about in the passage as being part of our inheritance that God wants us to see and use. In this passage Paul is praying for God to give us spiritual eyes to see the extent of our inheritance.

a). Ephesians 1:15-21 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

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,

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

2). What must be noted here is there is no distinction between good or bad principalities, powers, might, or dominions. It declares “all”. There are clear examples in Scripture of commanding demonic spirits but none commanding good angels, but here the Scripture does say “all”.  

c. principality [Strong: 746 * arche ar-khay' from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.]

d. power [Strong: 1849 * exousia ex-oo-see'-ah (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.]

e. might [Strong 1411 * dunamis doo'-nam-is force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.]

f. dominion [Strong: 2963 * kuriotes koo-ree-ot'-ace  mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers:--dominion, government.]

1). There is two other passages where lists of angels and demons are given.

a). Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

b). Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2. “…and every name that is named…”

a. every [Strong: 3956 *  pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.] [Thayer: individually, each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything, collectively, some of all types.]

b. name [Strong: 3686 * onoma on'-om-ah  a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).] [Thayer: name: univ. of proper names, the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc., persons reckoned up by name, the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason.]

c. named [Strong: 3687 *  onomazo on-om-ad'-zo from 3686; to name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess:--call, name.]

1). Noting that the phrase “every name that is named” is mentioned after “all principality, power, and might, and dominion” it is easy to conclude it is referring to names such as  Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer/Satan.

3. “…not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

a. not [Strong: 3756 * ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

b. only [Strong: 3440 * monon mon'-on neuter of 3441 as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only.]

c. in [Strong: 1722 * en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. this [Strong: 5129 * toutoi too'-to dative case singular masculine or neuter of 3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.

e. world [Strong: 165 * aion ahee-ohn' from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).]

f. but [Strong: 235 * alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

g. also [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

h. in [Strong: 1722 * en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

i. the [Strong: to from 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

j. one coming [Strong: 3195 * mello mel'-lo a strengthened form of 3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.]

1). Paul then writes that the authority is not only in this age but also in the next. In the next age some faithful believers will rule and judge on the earth.

a). Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

b). Luke 19:11-19 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

c). Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

2). In the next age some faithful believers will judge angels.

a). 1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

b). The superior judges the inferior, not the other way around.