"And He put all things in subjection 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." - Ephesians 1:22-23 (NASB)
Another thing that God did for Jesus was, “He has put all things in subjection under His feet”. This implies that God has given Jesus supreme authority. This relationship between the Father and the Son does not indicate inequality, but rather shows how they work together within the framework of time. Jesus is described as the head of the church, emphasizing His central role in guiding and nourishing its members, similar to how the head is vital for the body’s well-being. This aligns with the concept of Jesus having all authority (see Matthew 28:18).
The word “church” originally referred to a gathering in ancient Greek, as seen in Acts 19:32. In the Septuagint (LXX), it was used to translate the Hebrew word “assembly” (qahal) of Israel. This interpretation can be found in passages like Exodus 16:3, 12:6; Leviticus 4:13; and Numbers 20:4. The book of Ephesians mentions the term “ekklesia” several times (Ephesians 1:22; 3:10, 21; 5:23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 32), where Paul refers to the church as the “called-out” body of Christ. The early church saw itself as the complete people of God with Christ Jesus as their leader. There’s an interesting connection between Ephesians and Colossians, where in Ephesians, the term relates to the overall church, but in Colossians, it mainly means the local church. This suggests that Ephesians may have been a letter intended for many recipients.
The phrase “The fullness of Him who fills all in all” is a Present Middle Participle. It can be interpreted in several ways, such as Christ filling the church, the church filling Christ (see Colossians 1:24), or the church being filled with the complete number of believers (a numerical aspect, see Romans 11:25). It was used to counter the theological framework of emerging Gnostic false teachers who believed in aeons, emanations, or angelic hierarchies. The terms “fulness” and “filled” originate from the Greek term “plērōma,” which evolved into a Gnostic technical term in the second century, denoting the total number of angelic levels (see Ephesians 1:21) between the high, holy, spiritual God and the lesser god who shaped corrupt material. This provides a compelling definition of the church, which is meant to fully reflect its Head, Jesus, and reveal the Father, similar to how Jesus revealed the Father.
The exaltation of Christ prompts us to acknowledge the extraordinary blessings it brings us. His unequivocal affirmation as our Savior and Deliverer fills us with profound gratitude and hope. With this exaltation, comes the assurance that He not only lives, but also has the power to protect us and His kingdom, bringing us immeasurable comfort and security. We eagerly anticipate joining Him in His kingdom, where “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9)
By embracing this wonderful truth, we accept important responsibilities: follow Him faithfully, and prioritize heavenly over earthly matters. This way, we fulfill our divine purpose guided by His wisdom and grace. Let’s live as citizens of heaven, spreading joy, hope, love, compassion, and forgiveness. May our actions and words reflect the light of Christ and inspire others to accept God’s grace. Christ is everything to us! – the Sovereign of all in heaven and the Omnipotent Head of His Church on earth.
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