“19(b) according to the working of his great might 20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 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. 22And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
(ESV)
The exaltation of Jesus seems to have two parts:
- Future:
- Present
- Hebrews 2:9
- Resurrection from the dead
- Ascension & enthronement over evil
- Headship over the church, His body
v.19b (God’s Mighty Strength)
“his great might”
Paul prays for the believers (earlier in the paragraph) that they would have “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him”
We are not to be consumed with gaining knowledge as we are to live in God’s power and be victorious over sin in this life.
When Paul mentions God’s might, he brings up right afterwards, the resurrection of Christ “20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead…”
Without God’s power no one would be a Christian because no individual would ever find victory over sin. It would be impossible to live a godly life and we would certainly not be able to claim a reward in heaven from God.
Only through God’s might, seen through Jesus Christ, are we able to live out Christianity.
v.20 (Resurrection Power)
Christ predicts his own death as we can see from Mark 10:33-34
As we see in Mark 16 Jesus fulfills this prophecy by raising from the dead three days later
How was Jesus able to rise from the grave? – Through God’s heavenly power
“God thus vindicated Jesus’ claims, declared that Christ’s atonement for sin was accepted, and revealed that all who are united to Christ by faith can live triumphantly through that power” (Boice 41).
Christ’s resurrection is proof of our own. “Because he lives, we shall live also” (Boice 41)
Resurrection is not just our hope to come, but the power of Christ’s resurrection is to be seen in our present victories over sin in this life.
“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks of victory over worldliness, the flesh, and the devil – our three great adversaries”
Worldliness
What ways does the world influence us?
We are continually hammered with the world’s screwed up value system through:
TV, Magazines, Radio, Newspapers, Internet, People, Movies, Individualistic Culture.
How can we see victory over such a seemingly one-sided battle, us versus the world?
“It is by the power of God displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (Boice 41)
Flesh
Definition – the nature of sinful man untouched by the Holy Spirit
What are some of the things the flesh does?
The Flesh draws us to inactivity instead of working to expand the kingdom
It also locks us into sinful patterns instead of us living Christ-like
How can we conquer force that is part of us like the flesh?
(Same as above)
“It is by the power of God displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (Boice 41)
The devil
Brought about the downfall of man (Adam & Eve)
Now he is…
He is not to be taken lightly as we are commanded to
“Lloyd Jones says, “Because of these things we need to be enlightened with respect to the power of God working in us. Nothing else can enable us to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Boice 41)
v.20b-21 (All Things under Jesus)
God’s strength not only raised Christ but also seated him…
No mention of death (love) only resurrection (power)
“Right hand” – position of special honor and privilege
Position of favour, power, and victory
Sharing God’s throne
Never mention of “us” being on the right hand, but rather with Christ
While angels stand or fall in worship in God’s presence; the exalted Son sits
Christ’s exaltation over “all rule and authority” involves all earthly powers and angels
v.21 – “principality and power and might and dominion” – terms used frequently in Jewish writings to designate the various ranks of angelic powers. God is above them all - McArthur
Eph. 6:12 – there is a spiritual war waging
But these spiritual forces have been made subject to Christ
People had an extraordinary fear of hostile spiritual powers, and this statement by Paul was probably extremely comforting since some were converted out of a background of magic, the Artemis cult, or astrological beliefs (O’Obrien 138).
They are not anymore daunting to us than our flesh or the world because Christ has authority over all
James tells us how to be victorious over Satan
“But if we submit ourselves to God so that the power of God demonstrated in the exaltation of Christ above all rule and authority flows through us, the devil will flee from us s he fled from Christ at the conclusion of his temptation in the wilderness.
Matthew 4 (Jesus’ temptation)
At the time of salvation God’s power is given to every believer. Paul isn’t praying for God’s power for these people (since they already have it), but rather they be aware of the power they have in Christ and to use it – McArthur
God exalted the humiliated Jesus and gave him “the name which is above every name”
“This comprehensive statement specifies that regardless of designation or title, every ruling power in heaven or on earth is inferior to Christ, who is at the right hand of God.” (O’Brien 143)
v.22-23 (The Church, His Body)
As we have seen that Christ has been exalted over the spiritual forces of evil as a conqueror, he has also been exalted over the church as its proper and greatly honored head.
This is the first time that the word church has been mentioned in the letter, but Ray C. Stedman outlines Ephesians around the theme of the church:
- origin of the Church
- nature of the Church
- function of the Church
- church’s relationship to its Lord
There are 3 main translations around v.23 which deals with the church
The phrase “the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”
1st interpretation – “a description of Christ” – which would make it read “…the church which is the body of him (that is, Christ) who is the fullness of Him (that is, God) who fills all in all.
Scripture never elsewhere says that Christ is God’s fullness. That would be to say that the Father is subsumed in the Son, which is not accurate.
Scripture never elsewhere says that Christ is God’s fullness
2nd interpretation – “refers to the church” – which would make it say that the church is that which fills or completes Christ
If the church fills or completes Christ, the verse is teaching the startling truth that without the church Christ is in some sense incomplete.
John Calvin & D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones subscribe to this viewpoint (not literally)
- Husband not complete without wife
- Head not complete without body
3rd interpretation – “that which Christ fills” – which would make it say that Jesus fills the church as he also fills the universe
John Stott subscribes to this viewpoint
This fits with other parts of Scripture which also say that Christ fills the church
“Since Paul is talking about God’s power displayed in Christ, it is natural for him to portray Christ as filling and thus empowering the church, which is his body” (Boice 44)
Conclusion (Banner of the Cross)
Church is to be a transforming power
Those who belong to the church are changed
Having been changed & being members of the church, they work through the power of Christ to transform the world powerfully
“It is the victory of transformed lives as, through the church which Christ fills, the rule of Christ is extended forcefully throughout the world”
Application
1 Cor. 16:22 – “22If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!”
Rev. 22:20 – “20He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Do we long for Jesus’ return?
Since, “The power of Christ’s resurrection is to be seen in our present victories over sin in this life.” What sin are you struggling with that you haven’t let the power of Christ’s resurrection conquer?
Are you constantly on guard against the world, your flesh, and the devil? Are you in prayer to God for “His mighty strength” to stand against these things? If not why?
How does the world see you? Is the world being transformed by your changed life? Or are you conforming to the world?
One version says, “his [God’s] incomparably great power for us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty strength”
The resources in Christ available to believers who live in the overlap of the ages are enormous. Of particular significance is God’s almighty power, which will enable them to engage in an ongoing spiritual warfare and final to share in the divine glory. God wants them to obtain their full salvation and he has provided the means for them to do so. (O’Brien 138)
J.A. Fitzmyer appropriately remarks that this resurrection power
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