Ephesians 1:21
New International Version
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

New Living Translation
Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

English Standard Version
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Berean Standard Bible
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Berean Literal Bible
above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one coming.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

New American Standard Bible
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

NASB 1995
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

NASB 1977
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

Legacy Standard Bible
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Amplified Bible
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come.

Christian Standard Bible
far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

American Standard Version
far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Contemporary English Version
There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well.

English Revised Version
far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come.

Good News Translation
Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next.

International Standard Version
He is far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, and every name that can be named, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.

Majority Standard Bible
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

NET Bible
far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

New Heart English Bible
far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

Weymouth New Testament
high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come.

World English Bible
far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;

Berean Literal Bible
above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one coming.

Young's Literal Translation
far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;

Smith's Literal Translation
Above every beginning, and authority, and power, and property, and every name named, not only in this life, but in that about to be:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.

New American Bible
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.

New Revised Standard Version
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Far above all angels and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in the world which is to come:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Higher than all Principalities, Rulers, Powers, and Dominions, and higher than every name that is named, not only in this universe, but also in the one that is coming.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
high above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come;

Godbey New Testament
above all government, and authority, and power, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but in the age to come:

Haweis New Testament
far above all principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come;

Mace New Testament
far above all the principalities, all the powers, all the potentates, all the dominations, and whatever order can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come:

Weymouth New Testament
high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come.

Worrell New Testament
far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that to come;

Worsley New Testament
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:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Spiritual Wisdom
20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,…

Cross References
Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 1:16-18
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. / And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

Hebrews 1:3-4
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. / So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.

1 Peter 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

1 Corinthians 15:24-27
Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. / For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. / The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ...

Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Revelation 19:16
And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Colossians 2:10
And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, / neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 2:8
and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. / He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Psalm 8:4-6
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. / You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:


Treasury of Scripture

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:

above.

Philippians 2:9,10
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: …

Colossians 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Hebrews 1:4
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

principality.

Ephesians 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

every.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: …

in that.

Matthew 25:31-36
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: …

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

John 5:25-29
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live…

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Age Authority Dominion Either Far Government High Order Power Present Principality Rule Sovereignty Title Used World
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Age Authority Dominion Either Far Government High Order Power Present Principality Rule Sovereignty Title Used World
Ephesians 1
1. After Paul's salutation,
3. and thanksgiving for the Ephesians,
4. he treats of our election,
6. and adoption by grace;
11. which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation.
13. And because the height of this mystery cannot be easily attained unto,
16. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ.














far above
The phrase "far above" emphasizes the supreme and transcendent position of Christ. In Greek, the word used is "ὑπεράνω" (huperano), which conveys the idea of being exceedingly above or beyond. This highlights the absolute sovereignty and preeminence of Christ over all creation. Historically, this would have been a powerful assertion in a world where various spiritual and earthly powers were revered. It reassures believers of Christ's ultimate authority and victory.

all rule and authority
"Rule and authority" refer to both earthly and spiritual powers. The Greek words "ἀρχή" (archē) and "ἐξουσία" (exousia) are often used to denote different levels of power and governance. In the context of Ephesians, Paul is addressing both the visible and invisible realms, affirming that Christ's authority surpasses all. This would have been particularly comforting to early Christians facing persecution, as it assures them that no earthly or spiritual power can rival Christ.

power and dominion
The terms "power" and "dominion" further expand on the types of authorities over which Christ reigns supreme. "Power" (δύναμις, dynamis) often refers to miraculous or inherent power, while "dominion" (κυριότης, kyriotēs) suggests lordship or sovereignty. This reinforces the idea that Christ's reign is not limited to a specific type of power but encompasses all forms of authority, both seen and unseen.

and every name that is named
In ancient cultures, names held significant power and meaning. The phrase "every name that is named" suggests that Christ's authority surpasses all titles and reputations. The Greek word "ὄνομα" (onoma) for "name" implies identity and essence. This assures believers that no matter the prestige or power associated with any name, Christ's name is above all, echoing Philippians 2:9-11 where every knee shall bow to His name.

not only in the present age
This phrase situates Christ's authority in the current time, providing immediate relevance and assurance to believers. The Greek "αἰών" (aiōn) for "age" refers to a period or era. Paul is emphasizing that Christ's supremacy is not a future hope alone but a present reality, offering comfort and confidence to the early church amidst their trials.

but also in the one to come
Paul extends the scope of Christ's authority into the future, affirming its eternal nature. The continuation "in the one to come" assures believers that Christ's reign is everlasting. This eschatological promise provides hope and assurance of ultimate redemption and victory, reinforcing the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom as described in Revelation 11:15.

(21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion.--The words here used are intended to include all possible forms of power, corresponding to the exhaustive enumeration in Philippians 2:10, "of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." The words rendered "principality and power" (more properly signifying "government and the authority committed to it") are used in Luke 12:11; Luke 20:20; Titus 3:1, distinctively for earthly-powers; in 1Corinthians 15:24, generally for all created powers whatever. But St. Paul mostly employs this whole group of words, especially in the Epistles of the Captivity, with a manifest reference to angelic powers of good or evil. Thus in Romans 8:38 we read, of "angels, and principalities, and powers" (as in 1Peter 3:22, "angels, and authorities, and powers"); in Ephesians 3:10 of this Epistle, of "principalities and powers in the heavenly places;" and in Ephesians 6:12, of "wrestling not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers," &c.; and in Colossians 1:16, of "things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers." It is likely that he was induced so to do by the half-Gnostic speculation on the nature and worship of angels, prevalent in the later Judaism, of which we have a specimen at Colossae (Colossians 2:18)--in the same spirit which leads the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews to dwell so emphatically (in Ephesians 1, 2) on the infinite superiority of the Son of God to all angels. We observe that his references to these orders or aspects of the angelic hierarchy vary both in fulness and in order. (Comp., for instance, this passage with Colossians 1:16.) Hence we gain no encouragement for the elaborate speculation in which men have indulged as to the right succession and relation of the hosts of heaven. In this passage the names rather point to different aspects, than to different orders, of superhuman power. The first two words signify appointed government and the authority which is committed to it; the last two the actual force and the moral force of dignity or lordship in which it is clothed. In the Colossian passage the words here placed first come last, though in the same mutual connection, and the words "dignities or lordships" is connected with the word "thrones," not here found. His purpose is, indeed, better served by this comparative vagueness: for that purpose is to exalt the majesty of our Lord over all other, whatever it may be, and whatever name it may wear. . . . Verse 21. - Far above all rule, and power, and might, and dominion. Separate shades of meaning may doubtless be found for these expressions, but the main effect of the accumulation is to expand and deepen the idea of Christ's universal lordship. Hardly anything is revealed to us on the various orders of the spiritual powers, unfallen and fallen; and the speculations on them in which the Fathers used to indulge are of no value; but whatever may be true of them, Christ is exalted far above them all - far above every creature in earth, heaven, or hell (comp. Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Psalm 110; Daniel 7:13, 14, etc.). And every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. The pro-eminence of his Name is to be eternal. It shall never be eclipsed by any other name, nor shall there ever be a name worthy to be coupled with his Name. In human history we find no name that can be fitly coupled with Christ's. In the world to come, it shall ever shine forth with an unapproached effulgence. All this is said to exalt our sense of the Divine power that so raised up and exalted the God-Man, Christ Jesus - the same power that still works in believers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
far above
ὑπεράνω (hyperanō)
Preposition
Strong's 5231: Far above. From huper and ano; above upward, i.e. Greatly higher.

all
πάσης (pasēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

rule
ἀρχῆς (archēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

authority,
ἐξουσίας (exousias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

power
δυνάμεως (dynameōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

dominion,
κυριότητος (kyriotētos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2963: From kurios; mastery, i.e. rulers.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

every
παντὸς (pantos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

name
ὀνόματος (onomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

that is named,
ὀνομαζομένου (onomazomenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3687: From onoma; to name, i.e. Assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

only
μόνον (monon)
Adverb
Strong's 3440: Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

age,
αἰῶνι (aiōni)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the [one]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

to come.
μέλλοντι (mellonti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 1:21 Far above all rule and authority (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 1:20
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