from whom
This phrase refers back to the previous verse, identifying God the Father as the source. In the Greek, "ex hou" indicates origin or source. This highlights the divine authority and sovereignty of God as the ultimate originator of all creation. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the belief in God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, emphasizing His omnipotence and omnipresence.

every family
The Greek word for "family" here is "patria," which can also mean lineage or tribe. This term suggests a broader understanding of family, encompassing not just immediate relatives but entire lineages and communities. Historically, this reflects the ancient world's view of family as an extended network, which is significant in understanding the communal nature of early Christian communities. It also implies that all human and spiritual families find their origin in God, reinforcing the unity and interconnectedness of all creation under His fatherhood.

in heaven and on earth
This phrase expands the scope of God's fatherhood to include both the celestial and terrestrial realms. "In heaven" refers to the spiritual beings, such as angels, while "on earth" pertains to human families. The duality here emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's dominion and care. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this affirms the belief in a spiritual realm that is as real and significant as the physical world, and it highlights the inclusivity of God's family, transcending physical and spiritual boundaries.

derives its name
The Greek word "onomazetai" means to be named or called. In biblical times, names were deeply significant, often reflecting character or destiny. To derive a name from God implies receiving identity, purpose, and authority from Him. This concept is rooted in the belief that God imparts identity and meaning to all creation. In a conservative Christian context, this underscores the idea that true identity and purpose are found in relationship with God, who names and claims His creation as His own.

(15) Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.--The original word (patria) here rendered "family" is literally derived from the word "father" (pater). It has been proposed to render it fatherhood, and translate, from whom all fatherhood whatever derives its name--all lower fatherhood being, in fact, a shadow and derivative from the Fatherhood of God. The translation is tempting, yielding a grand sense, and one thoroughly accordant with the treatment of the earthly relationship below (Ephesians 6:1-4). But the usage of the word is clearly against it; and we must render it every family--that is, every body of rational beings in earth or heaven united under one common fatherhood, and bearing the name (as in a family or clan) of the common ancestor. Such bodies are certainly the first germs or units of human society; what their heavenly counterparts may be, who can tell? The Apostle looks upon the fathers whose names they delight to bear as the imperfect representatives of God, and upon the family itself, with its head, as the type in miniature of the whole society of spiritual beings united in sonship to the Father in heaven. Hence he declares that it is ultimately from Him that every family derives the name of patria, and by that very name bears witness to the Divine Fatherhood, on which he desires here to lay especial stress.

Verse 15. - From whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named. So A.V., but R.V. has "every family," holding, doubtless, that the want of the article - πᾶσα πατριὰ not πᾶσαἡπατριὰ - requires this sense. But as in Matthew 2:3; Luke 4:13; Acts 2.36; 7:22, and Ephesians 2:21; so here, πᾶσα without the article may denote the totality of the thing; πᾶσα πατριὰ corresponding to πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ. And this seems more in accord with the scope of the passage, for here the apostle is not distributing into groups, but gathering into one. But what is the precise import of the statement, and for what reason is it introduced? The apostle recognizes all saints, whether in heaven or on earth, as forming one family, and as the whole family derives its name from God, so God may ha expected and appealed to to make full and corresponding provision for the wants of its various sections. The implied appeal is not to the fact that the family is God's family, but to the fact, less important in itself but really including the other, that it is named after him. Among men, one would be held emphatically bound to take an interest in those who are not only his relations but bear his very name. Now, that part of the family which is housed in heaven is gloriously provided for; the apostle proceeds to intercede for the portion still on earth. As the whole family is named after the same Father, is conspicuous before the eyes of all as God's, so it may well be expected that the more needy, feeble, exposed, and tempted part of the family will be treated in every way worthy of its Father.

"Let saints on earth unite to sing
With those to glory gone;
For all the servants of our King,
In earth and heaven, are one.
"One family we dwell in him,
One Church above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream, of death."

Parallel Commentaries ...

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

whom
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

every
πᾶσα (pasa)
Adjective - Nominative 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.

family
πατριὰ (patria)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3965: Lineage, ancestry; a family, tribe. As if feminine of a derivative of pater; paternal descent, i.e. a group of families or a whole race.

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.

heaven
οὐρανοῖς (ouranois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

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

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

derives its name.
ὀνομάζεται (onomazetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3687: From onoma; to name, i.e. Assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 3:15 From whom every family in heaven (Ephes. Eph. Ep)