Ep 248: Far Above All Rule and Authority | Ephesians 1:15-23

I had the flu and Streamyard defaulted to my computer microphone, so I apologize for my voice! In this episode I discuss Paul’s comments in Ephesians 1:15-23, particularly 1:20-22, that Jesus by virtue of his resurrection, ascension, and enthronement currently rules over all authorities and that the church shares in his cosmic victory. We discuss the major themes of Ephesians, particularly Christ and the church, and how Paul believes that those who have received the Spirit through faith in Israel’s Messiah are now members of God’s eschatological family. Jesus has already been installed as the cosmic king, and the list of powers over which Jesus is “far above” includes both earthy political rulers and malevolent spiritual powers. I look at two Greek terms Paul uses in Ephesians 1:21, arche and exousia, and show how their usage in other passages, notably 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 and Romans 13:1-3 clearly denote human political authorities. I conclude with some final thoughts about how the church must take Jesus’s enthronement over all powers seriously.

Additional Resources

Government as God’s Servant: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-243-government-is-gods-servant-romans-13-isaiah-10-and-jeremiah-25/

Cody Cook on Paul and evil forces: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-245-galatians-41-7-and-deliverance-from-this-evil-age-with-cody-cook/