Ephesians 3:15

15 from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.

Ephesians 3:15 in Other Translations

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

15 this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

15 from whom all the family in heaven and on earth receives its name.

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

15 From the Father his whole family in heaven and on earth gets its name.

Ephesians 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 3:15

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
] This may refer either to God, the Father of Christ; who is the Father of the whole family in heaven and in earth; not only the Father of Christ, but the Father of spirits, of angelic spirits, as well as of the souls of men; and the Father of all the saints by adopting grace, whether above or below; they are all the household of God: or else to Jesus Christ, who is the everlasting Father, the Son over his own house, and the firstborn among many brethren: and this family consists either of elect angels and elect men, who are both under one head, Christ, and are in one family, only with this difference, the one are servants, the other sons; or else only of elect men, of saints in heaven and in earth, who all make up but one family; and that part of it, which is on earth, consists of persons of various sizes and growth, as fathers, young men, and children, though they are all the children of God, and partake of the same privileges: and this family is named of Christ; they are called Christians from him, and he is the master and governor of them; they have their laws, directions, and instructions from him; and he is the great provider for them, and the support of them; they have their food and clothing from him, as well as are called by his name. Frequent mention is made in the Jewish writings ^F15 of the family of the holy angels, and of the family above, and the family below, to which here may be some reference.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Targ. in Cant. i. 15. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 17. 1. Zohar in Exod. fol. 105. 4. Raziel, fol. 42. 1. & 45. 2. Caphtor, fol. 58. 2. Shaare Orn, fol. 14. 3.

Ephesians 3:15 In-Context

13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

Footnotes

• [a]. The Greek for "family" ("patria" ) is derived from the Greek for "father" ("pater" ).