Ephesians 4:6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 4:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Ephesians 4:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“One God and Father of all, &c.] That there is but one God is the voice of nature and of revelation; and may be concluded from the perfections of deity, for there can be but one eternal, infinite, immense, omnipotent, all-sufficient, perfect, and independent Being; and from one first cause of all things, and the relations he stands in to his creatures: there is but one God, who is truly, and really, and properly God, in opposition to all nominal and figurative deities, and which are not gods by nature, and to the fictitious deities and idols of the nations; and there is but one God of Jews and Gentiles; nor is the unity of the Godhead inconsistent with a trinity of persons in it: and this one…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“above--"over all." The "one God over all" (in His sovereignty and by His grace) is the grand source and crowning apex of unity (Eph 2:19, end). through all--by means of Christ "who filleth all things" (Eph 4:10; Eph 2:20-21), and is "a propitiation" for all men (Jo1 2:2). in you all--The oldest manuscripts omit "you." Many of the oldest versions and Fathers and old manuscripts read, "in us all." Whether the pronoun be read or not, it must be understood (either from the "ye," Eph 4:4, or from the "us," Eph 4:7); for other parts of Scripture prove that the Spirit is not "in all" men, but only in believers (Rom 8:9, Rom 8:14). God is "Father" both by generation (as Creator) and regeneration…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“One God - The same God; therefore there should be unity. Were there many gods to be worshipped, there could be no more hope of unity than there is among the worshippers of Mammon and Bacchus, and the various other idols that people set up. People who have different pursuits, and different objects of supreme affection, can be expected to have no union. People who worship many gods, cannot hope to be united. Their affections are directed to different objects, and there is no harmony or sympathy of feeling. But where there is one supreme object of attachment there may be expected to be unity. The children of a family that are devoted to a parent, will be united among themselves; and the fact…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“One God and Father of all - That believe. Who is above all - Presiding over all his children, operating through them all by Christ, and dwelling in all by his Spirit. Ephesians 4:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God: Eph 6:23; Num 16:22; Isa 63:16; Mal 2:10; Mat 6:9; Joh 20:17; Co1 8:6, Co1 12:6; Gal 3:26-28, Gal 4:3-7; Jo1 3:1-3 who: Eph 1:21; Gen 14:19; Ch1 29:11, Ch1 29:12; Psa 95:3; Isa 40:11-17, Isa 40:21-23; Jer 10:10-13; Dan 4:34, Dan 4:35, Dan 5:18-23; Mat 6:13; Rom 11:36; Rev 4:8-11 and in: Eph 2:22, Eph 3:17; Joh 14:23, Joh 17:26; Co2 6:16; Jo1 3:24, Jo1 4:12-15 Ephesians 4:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification