COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON #16
Eph 1:20b " . . . and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 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." (Eph 1:20b-21)
THE PRESENT EXALTATION OF CHRIST
INTRODUCTION
In order to further establish the saints of God, the spotlight must be turned upon Jesus Christ and His present position and status. The nature of spiritual life demands that this be the case. Although the saints have been washed from their sins, have been accepted by God, and have received the earnest of the Spirit. Their comprehension of Christ must be matured. That is because they are opposed by an intelligent adversary who uses thoughts to draw the people under his dominion. The battle is so fierce we need the protection of "the helmet of salvation," which involves the extensive knowledge and comprehension of the accomplishments and ministry of Jesus Christ. That is the matter that Paul addresses in this portion of his prayer. This is not only something that is to be declared, it requires the enlightenment that comes from heaven. Further, this illumination is not sent automatically. It appears that a request must be made for it. This was even true under the Old Covenant. Moses, who spent forty consecutive days being tutored in the very presence of God, was the very one who asked God to show him His glory (Ex 33:18). One individual with unusual insight, was the very one that continued to petition God for understanding (Psa 119:34,73,126,144,169). Throughout history, this aspect of the Kingdom life has rarely been seen. It comes under the heading of knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (John 17:3). As Paul unfolds his prayer to us, it will be apparent that an unseen Christ tends to be a neglected one. The more people are in the flesh, the more unaware they are of unseen realities, the chief of which is Jesus Christ Himself. It is not enough to know that He exists, or that He is alive. It is the position He occupies, and how He is employing His power that is essential to know. That is the all-important matter to which Paul now directs our attention.
GOD SET JESUS AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND
Eph 1:20b " . . . and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places."
Paul is in the process of expounding Christ Jesus - particularly of His activity and placement after He died and rose
from the dead. This is a facet of Christ that must be comprehended if the child of God is to mature, or come to the point where he is not vulnerable to the devices of the devil, being able to "stand" against his wiles. In some circles it is quite fashionable to limit any preaching about Christ to the period between His birth and His exit from post resurrection life upon the earth. However, the power of Christ that is experienced by the believer is directly related to His exaltation in heaven.
Technically the resurrection of Christ involved three distinct phases, all of which are considered as a composite whole: 1 His resurrection from the dead, 2 His ascension into heaven, and 3 His enthronement at the right hand of God. In the book of Ephesians Paul presents doctrine on all three of these phases: Resurrection (1:20), Ascension (4:8-10), and Enthronement (1:20,22; 4:10,15; 5:23). In this epistle Paul also delivers powerful teaching concerning the death of Christ (1:7; 2:13-16; 5:2,25-27). In all of this teaching Paul presents the facts, but not merely the facts. In proclaiming Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation he expounds their effects, or impact upon the fulfillment of the purpose of God and the salvation of His people. In this passage, the enthronement of Jesus is the matter being expounded. It is something that is to be comprehended by the saints. That is the reason for this prayer.
AND SET HIM. Other versions read, "seated Him," NKJV "made Him sit," RSV "gave Him a place," BBE "seating Him," CSB "enthroning Him," NJB and "put Him." IE
This is something God the Father did to Jesus - seated Him at His own right hand! The fact that He was "seated" accents that His reign had commenced, for sitting on a throne denotes a kingly reign. Twenty-eight times sitting on a "throne" is mentioned in Scripture. This is what kings did when they commenced their reign, judged a matter, or executed their power.
Further, the promises relating to the coming Messiah that were delivered by the prophets spoke of Him being seated on a throne (Jer 33:17; Zech 6:13). Apostolic doctrine says of Jesus, "He sat down" (Heb 1:3; 10:12). Although He is waiting while seated (Heb 1:13), He is also reigning, for this sitting is a kingly posture.
AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND. Other versions read, "at His right hand," NASB "on His right hand," DOUAY "gave Him the highest position," GWN "the place of honor at God's right hand," NLT and "at His right side." CEV This is a privilege no angel, however endued with power, has ever experienced. As it is written, "But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Heb 1:13).
From one perspective, the "right hand" of God is, so to speak, His working side. Thus we read, "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy" (Ex 15:6). He is said to save by His right hand (Psa 17:7), and hold men up by it (Psa 18:35). There is also "the saving strength of His right hand" (Psa 20:6). Through His "right hand" He "shall find out those that hate Him" (Psa 21:8). God's right hand is "full of righteousness" (Psa 48:10). Now Jesus is declared to be "by the right hand of God" (Acts 2:33; Rom 8:34; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22). This means that all of the things associated with the right hand of God are now being administered by Jesus, the glorified Man.
IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES. Other versions read, "the heavenly realms," NIV "in heaven," BBE "the heavens," CSB "heavenly things," TNT "the heavenly world," IE "heavenly heights," MONTGOMERY "the heavenlies," ABP and "deep heaven." MESSAGE
The expression "heavenly places" comes from a single word, and means "above the sky," STRONG'S "properly, existing in or above heaven, heavenly." THAYER It is a vast region that includes a place where dark forces are located (Eph 6:12). Later it will be affirmed that God has seated those who are in Christ "in heavenly places" (Eph 2:6). At the highest area of this vast domain (all ruled by Jesus), there is heaven itself, where the Throne is located. There Jesus sits on the right hand of God executing His will, and bringing many sons to glory. There is a sense in which we have access to this realm by faith There is also a sense in which we are not yet there, even though our inheritance is there (1 Pet 1:4). As compared to our experience on earth, we have a "better substance" there (Heb 10:34). Our manner of life is derived from there, which is the place from which Jesus will come to gather us (Phil 3:20).
The point here is that the "heavenly places" can be presently accessed by the saints of God, even though they do not yet possess their inheritance, which is there. Jesus has been seated there with that in mind, in order that He might "bring" us to glory (Heb 2:10). Speaking most precisely, Jesus is not where the conflict is - that is where we are. He has been exalted to the place that rules over everything that initiates and maintains conflict. It is essential that God's people know this in a living way. Faith will use this awareness to enable us to be victorious.
FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER
1:20 "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."
This is an exposition of what Jesus said: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18). It is also the fulfillment of His saying, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22).
FAR ABOVE. Other versions read, "far over," BBE "above," DARBY "high above," MRD"Far, far above," LIVING and "rules over." CEV The words "?far above" are translated from a single word that means, "above a thing - of place, of rank or power," THAYER "far above," FRIBERG/UBS and "high above." GINGRICH
The idea here is that Jesus faces no aggression, and has no competitors. There is no personality that fights against Him, for He has soundly defeated them all in His death (Col 2;15; Heb 2:14). There is no personality or group of personalities that stand against any word delivered to them by Jesus. This was even true of Satan's hosts during Christ's earthly ministry. The only personalities that actively reject and oppose God are the weakest of all created personalities - men. And even this is because of the nature of salvation, and what God is revealing of Himself in it. In the end, we will find all who are saved are the result of God's drawing power (John 6:44,65), workmanship (Eph 2:10), and being brought to glory by Jesus (Heb 2:10).
Christ Jesus being "above all" is not referring to Him as a kind of figurehead. It is not that this is what He ought to be - a kind of rank that is not being honored. Jesus is actually "above all," both by location, and by influence. At His word men live or die, stand or fall, and are apprehended or abandoned. All of this is driven by the will of God - i.e. His "eternal purpose."
ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION. Other versions read, "all rule, and authority and power, and dominion" NASB "every principality, ruling force, power or sovereignty," NJB "any ruler or authority or power or leader," NLT "any other king or ruler or dictator or leader." LIVING
Some of the versions appear to accent worldly power (NLT/LIVING). While Jesus is certainly over worldly powers, fulfilling the description of "Governor among the nations" (Psa 22:28), that is not the point being made here. This has primary regard to spiritual forces that dominate the world, and against which believers presently "wrestle" (Eph 6:12; Col 2:15).
Principality. A leader, the first of rank, invested with what is required to administer.
Power. Liberty of doing what he pleases, within Divine purpose.
Might. Inherent power residing in the personality. It is delegated power.
Dominion. One who possesses a realm, having power over it.
There is a certain ranking of unseen powers-i.e. Michael is over Israel (Dan 10:21; 12:1), an evil principality was over Persia, and another over Greece (Dan 10:20). National prominence is not determined on the earth, but is carried out on the earth by certain unseen "principalities." There are holy angels described as having "power over waters" (Rev 11:6), and "power over fire" (Rev 14:18). Jesus is "above" them all, and they are all subservient to Him.
EVERY NAME. Other versions read, "every title," NIV and "every title that can be conferred." AMPLIFIED This is not a "name" like a given name, or a family name. It refers to an authoritative title that is conferred upon some personality. Examples would be "king" (1 Kgs 1:34), "lord" (2 Kgs 6:26), "ruler" (Gen 45:8), etc.
ALL principalities, ALL power, ALL might, ALL dominion, and ALL who are named as rulers are under Jesus. To say it in the words of our text, the exalted Christ is "above" them all. That is, He presently exercises the rule over them. The same Jesus who is High Priest to us, is King of kings, and Lord of lords. There is nothing or no one who is not presently in subjection to Jesus (Heb 2:8). This is total dominion, as was revealed to Daniel (Dan 7:13).
NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD, BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME. Other versions read, "not only in this age, but also in that which is to come," NKJV "the present order . . . that which is to come," BBE and "this age and in this world . . . also in the age and world to come." AMPLIFIED
The point here is that Christ's superiority not only applies to time, but to eternity; not only in this world, but also in the world to come. The word "world" considers the matter from the standpoint of location and perception. "The word "age" considers it from the standpoint of time versus eternity. The word "order" depicts it as the present manner of things - the temporal as compared with the eternal order.
There is presently no domain, personality, or group of personalities, whether in heaven, earth, or under the earth, over which Jesus does not preside. An enlargement of His power is not possible, for He has "all power" now. The reason men have become confused about this is their failure to comprehend the purpose of the power. It is presently devoted to bringing many sons to glory. In that process, He holds inimical powers at bay, not permitting them to stop the progress of the sons to glory. From a practical point of view, all of this is being accomplished through the saints direct affiliation with Christ Himself-i.e. by grace through faith.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A RESURRECTED AND ENTHRONED CHRIST
Acts 4:33 "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
It is necessary to say a few words concerning the significance of a resurrected and enthroned Christ. In our time the reign of Christ is too often associated with the future, and not with the present. Jesus is being set forth as some day returning to the earth to reign, and doing so in Jerusalem. Apostolic doctrine does not support this teaching, which has been developed by putting together a hodgepodge of Scriptures, and binding them together with human wisdom. However, the apostles have spoken with remarkable clarity concerning both the resurrection and exaltation of the Lord Jesus.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
All of the above require a resurrected Jesus. None of these things could be accomplished until death, the devil, and principalities and powers had been soundly defeated. Temporal matters, like those exhibited in Christ's miracles, and supernatural things worked in the natural realm (healings, etc) were not done by this kind of power. Transforming power is resurrection power.
THE ENTHRONEMENT OF CHRIST
None of the above could be done if Jesus did not presently have total dominion. The new birth, bringing many sons to glory, keeping believers from falling, and the High Priestly ministry of Jesus all require His exaltation in heaven. That is the power that equipped Him to be the Captain of our salvation as a Man who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. It is also important to recognize that the exaltation of Jesus is presently acknowledged by every created personality, both evil and holy. The only present exception is found in humanity. However, that condition will not continue. Eventually, every knee will bow to Him, and acknowledge before an assembled universe that He IS Lord. It is imperative that these things be declared to the church.