Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
EPHESIANS 1:20KJVWhat does Ephesians 1:20 mean?
Ephesians 1:20 says that God showed his power in Christ by raising him from the dead and giving him the highest place of honor, at God’s own right hand in the heavenly realms. This verse highlights the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus as the ultimate display of God’s strength and authority.
Paul is writing to believers in Ephesus, explaining how God’s mighty power—described just before this verse—was most clearly seen in what happened to Jesus. The verse is part of a longer sentence where Paul wants the readers to understand the greatness of God’s power, using Jesus’ resurrection and position in heaven as the main example.
The Greek behind Ephesians 1:20
- "Wrought" (ἐνέργησεν, enērgēsen) means "worked" or "put into action." Paul is saying that God’s power was not just theoretical but actually accomplished something real in Christ.
- "Set" (καθίσας, kathisas) means "seated" or "appointed." In the ancient world, sitting at the right hand was a sign of highest honor and authority, so this word emphasizes Jesus’ exalted status.
- "Heavenly" (ἐπουρανίοις, epouraniois) refers to the spiritual or heavenly realms, not just the sky. This shows that Jesus’ position is above all earthly powers.
Why Ephesians 1:20 matters
- Ephesians 1:20 clarifies that the same power available to believers is the power that raised and exalted Jesus, connecting Christian faith directly to God’s greatest act.
- The verse emphasizes Jesus’ unique authority and position, which sets the stage for the rest of the letter’s teaching about Christ’s supremacy.
- By focusing on God’s action rather than human effort, Paul encourages the readers to trust in what God has already accomplished through Christ.