Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:21

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

Greek, "Far (or high) above all (Eph 4:10) principality (or rule, Co1 15:24), and authority, and power (Mat 28:18), and dominion (or lordship)." Compare Phi 2:9; Col 1:16; Heb 7:26; Pe1 3:22. Evil spirits (who are similarly divided into various ranks, Eph 6:12), as well as angels of light, and earthly potentates, are included (compare Rom 8:38). Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev 19:16). The higher is His honor, the greater is that of His people, who are His members joined to Him, the Head. Some philosophizing teachers of the school of Simon Magus, in Western Asia Minor, had, according to IRENÃ†US and EPIPHANIUS, taught their hearers these names of various ranks of angels. Paul shows that the truest wisdom is to know Christ as reigning above them all. every name--every being whatever. "Any other creature" (Rom 8:39). in this world--Greek, "age," that is, the present order of things. "Things present . . . things to come" (Rom 8:38). that . . . to come--"Names which now we know not, but shall know hereafter in heaven. We know that the emperor goes before all, though we cannot enumerate all the satraps and ministers of his court; so we know that Christ is set above all, although we cannot name them all" [BENGEL].

Read Ephesians 1:21 →Read the full chapter →John Gill's Exposition →Barnes' Notes →Wesley's Explanatory Notes →Tyndale Open Study Notes →Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge →

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