The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Eph 1:22,23

Theology Biblical Theology
#1

I am leading a small group bible study on Ephesians in a few days and wondered if anyone has any thoughts on the meaning of Eph 1:22,23 in relation to UR and in relation to 1 Cor 15:25-28

Eph 1 22,23
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)

1 Cor 15:25-28
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[a] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. (NIV)

Has God already placed all things under Christ’s feet (Eph 1) or is it still future - to be completed at the end of the messianic age (1 Cor 15)?

How does “the fulness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph 1) relate to “so that God may be all in all” (1 Cor 15)?

Are there people who are under Christ’s feet but not part of the church? (Eph 1) or will all people be under Christ’s feet (1 Cor 15)?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

#2

From the ascended, “eternal” view everything is already under His feet, just as we are now seated at the right hand of the Father. The lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. From our temporal view I wouldn’t say its completed yet.

The book of Ephesians and Colossians are centered around the mystery revealed to Paul in the 3rd heaven. Pulling back the veil of the temporal flesh to see the “future”, which is now, we just don’t know it yet.

#3

Thanks Red. I think what you say makes sense.
So who/what are the “all things” under his feet in Eph 1:22?
Does the “church” in v 22 include every person who has ever lived if it is a “future” “eternal” view?

#4

I believe so. I know others have other views. One of the aspects of the mystery is the making of the one new man out of jews and gentiles. This includes all men IMO. The new man being Christ. As all things are subjected to him they become part of him.

#5

So when someone comes under Christ’s feet, they become part of His body. Those in his body are under His feet! :slight_smile:

#6

Thanks Red for your thoughts so far. They have been helpful, and I can see how these thoughts would support UR.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the meaning of “head over everything for the church” in Eph 1:22? Thanks.

#7

Head of state, head of the household, head of the body, head of all things. From Colossians, the other mystery book:

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

The alpha and omega, first and last. Created–Reconciled. All creation came from him, and it all goes to him.

The mystery is also the two shall become one flesh. Spoken of husband and wife, but revealing Christ and the church.

Wives are to be subject to their husbands Eph 5. The word subject is huptasso, which is the same word used in 1 co 15 of Christ subjecting all things to himself. And of Christ being subject to the Father. And of creation being subjected to futility (Romans)

1 co 11 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

God is the head of Christ Christ is subject to God I and my Father are one
Christ is the head of church church is subject to Christ The two shall be one
Christ is the head of man mankind is subject to Christ The two shall be one

Headship is a bond of unity. We are now separate by the veil that was cast over all nations. But in Christ the veil is removed. IN Christ, Christ IN You, all IN all.

The two shall become one. Head and body. Man and wife. Spirit and Soul. In the image of God: male and female

Woman came out of mans side in the garden
Church came out of Jesus’ side on the cross
Creation came out of the Logos’ side at the foundation of the world (the lamb was slain from the foundation of the world)

Unless the seed falls to the ground and dies.
The lamb was slain from the foundation of the world.
All creation was subjected to futility.

In hope that the creation will be set free/reconciled/bear much fruit, through subjection to the head, Returning to the one it came from.

The whole process is division(subjected) which results in exponential multiplication. To bring many sons to glory. All in All.

#8

Thanks again Red. Your comments are helpful in getting the big picture about Christ being head of everything, and Christ being head of the church. Just wondering about possibilities for what Paul may have meant by Christ is “head over everything FOR the church”, or “head over all things TO the church”"? Thanks.