Ephesians 1:10 kjv
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians 1:10 nkjv
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth?in Him.
Ephesians 1:10 niv
to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment?to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians 1:10 esv
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:10 nlt
And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ ? everything in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 1 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Col 1:18 | He is the head of the body, the church...that in everything he might be preeminent. | Christ's preeminence as head. |
| Col 1:20 | ...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven... | Cosmic reconciliation through Christ. |
| 1 Cor 15:27-28 | For God has put all things in subjection under his feet...that God may be all in all. | Christ's ultimate subjection of all things to God. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | Christ's universal authority and ultimate reign. |
| Heb 1:2-3 | ...he appointed him heir of all things, through whom also he created the world...upholding the universe by his word of power. | Christ's cosmic role as Creator and Sustainer. |
| Eph 4:15 | ...grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. | Christ as the head, emphasizing growth and unity in the church. |
| Eph 3:9-11 | ...the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things...according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord. | God's eternal purpose realized in Christ. |
| Isa 46:10 | declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose'. | God's sovereign plan and predetermined purpose. |
| Rom 8:19-21 | For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God...the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption... | Creation's redemption alongside humanity. |
| Rev 21:1-5 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away...Behold, I am making all things new. | Eschatological renewal and God's ultimate new creation. |
| Gen 3:15 | I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head... | Early prophecy of ultimate victory over evil. |
| Mk 1:15 | The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand... | The "fullness of time" bringing God's reign. |
| Gal 4:4 | But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son... | Christ's advent at the divinely appointed time. |
| Jn 1:3 | All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. | Christ as the agent of creation, providing the basis for recreation. |
| Ps 8:6 | You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. | Foreshadowing humanity's intended dominion, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. |
| Heb 2:8 | ...you put all things in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. | Reiteration of Ps 8 regarding Christ's dominion. |
| Isa 11:6-9 | The wolf shall dwell with the lamb...they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain... | Prophetic vision of peace and harmony in the Messiah's kingdom. |
| Rom 11:36 | For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. | All things originating from, sustained by, and returning to God. |
| Eph 2:14-16 | For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in the dividing wall of hostility...that he might create in himself one new man. | Christ as the unifier of divided humanity. |
| Rom 5:17-19 | For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive abundance of grace...reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. | Christ as the restorer of creation and humanity. |
| Zech 9:10 | ...he shall speak peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. | Prophetic promise of Messiah's universal peaceful reign. |
| 1 Pet 1:20 | He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake. | Christ's predetermined manifestation at the right time. |
| Acts 3:21 | ...whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. | Christ's return for the "restoration of all things." |
| Dan 7:14 | And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him... | Prophecy of the Son of Man's universal and everlasting dominion. |
Ephesians 1 verses
Ephesians 1 10 Meaning
Ephesians 1:10 reveals God's eternal and unfolding purpose, which is to bring all of creation, both that which is in the heavens and that which is on the earth, into a unified whole under the headship of Jesus Christ. This is the divine plan reaching its glorious culmination at a specific, predetermined time. It signifies the comprehensive reconciliation, summation, and reordering of all things in the universe through Christ, reversing the disunity brought about by sin.
Ephesians 1 10 Context
Ephesians 1:10 is embedded within a profound theological blessing (Ephesians 1:3-14), which in the original Greek is one continuous sentence, a doxology of praise to God for His plan of salvation. The verse serves as the interpretive key to the "mystery of His will" mentioned in verse 9. This plan, centered on Christ, encompasses both the pre-temporal election of believers (vv. 4-6) and their redemption and adoption (vv. 7-8). Verse 10 explicitly states the cosmic goal of God's redemptive work—a grand synthesis where all created reality finds its proper order and unified purpose in Christ. This vision transitions into the inheritance and sealing of believers by the Holy Spirit (vv. 11-14), signifying their inclusion in this overarching divine scheme. The entire chapter emphasizes God's sovereign will, His foreknowledge, and the supreme centrality of Christ in bringing all things to their designed end. Historically, this rich theology provided a strong counterpoint to fragmented pagan cosmologies and Gnostic dualisms that might have influenced early Christian communities in Ephesus, stressing the unity of creation and God's coherent plan.
Ephesians 1 10 Word analysis
- that is, the summing up: This phrase clarifies the preceding "mystery of his will." It introduces the precise nature of God's unfolding purpose.
- summing up: Greek: anakephalaiōsasthai (ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι). This verb is crucial. It means "to head up again," "to gather into one head," or "to recapitulate." It implies bringing scattered or disparate things under a single, unified authority and purpose. It's more than a mere summary; it signifies a cosmic re-heading or restoration to an intended order, reversing the fragmentation caused by sin.
- of all things: Greek: ta panta (τὰ πάντα). This phrase emphasizes the absolute universality and totality of God's plan. It leaves nothing out of Christ's unifying headship.
- in Christ: Greek: en tō Christō (ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ). This designates Christ as the central figure, the sphere, the means, and the goal of this cosmic unification. Union with Christ is fundamental to all of God's blessings and purposes. He is not merely a tool but the very principle and embodiment of this reconciliation.
- things in the heavens and things on the earth: Greek: ta epi tois ouranois kai ta epi tēs gēs (τὰ ἐπὶ τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς). This phrase further defines "all things," clarifying that the scope includes both the celestial (spiritual beings, heavenly realms) and the terrestrial (humanity, physical creation). It affirms Christ's dominion over every sphere of existence, challenging any polytheistic notions of multiple, competing deities or realms of power.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- in the fullness of time: Greek: eis oikonomian tou plērōmatos tōn kairōn (εἰς οἰκονομίαν τοῦ πληρώματος τῶν καιρῶν). This indicates that God's great plan of unification under Christ unfolds according to a precisely determined divine schedule. "Oikonomian" (administration/stewardship/plan) signifies God's wise and ordered management of His universe, ensuring this culmination occurs at the divinely opportune "fullness of times," not haphazardly. This highlights divine sovereignty and purposeful action throughout history, contrasting with random chance.
Ephesians 1 10 Bonus section
The concept of "summing up all things in Christ" in Ephesians 1:10 also carries profound implications for the doctrine of cosmic redemption. While often focused on human salvation, this verse explicitly expands God's saving activity beyond humanity to encompass the entire creation. The rebellion of humanity through sin had consequences that reverberated through the cosmos (e.g., Rom 8:19-22, the groaning creation). Therefore, Christ's work is not limited to human reconciliation but extends to a re-creation and harmonization of all existing things, making new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. This grand "oikonomia" or administration of God's purposes establishes Christ as the ontological center of all reality, making sense of creation's existence, its fall, and its glorious future. This polemics against any worldview that isolates humanity from the rest of creation or postulates a fragmented spiritual/material dualism.
Ephesians 1 10 Commentary
Ephesians 1:10 captures the sweeping ambition of God's ultimate design for His creation. Far from being merely a fragmented world of competing powers and purposes, the universe is destined for glorious coherence and harmony under Christ's supreme rule. The "summing up" in Christ speaks to both a restoration of what was broken by sin and a culmination of God's redemptive work. Every aspect of existence, from angels in heaven to the smallest detail on earth, will ultimately find its rightful place and purpose with Christ as its divine Head. This re-heading isn't just about ordering, but about reconciliation, bringing peace and unity where sin introduced discord and division. It underscores Christ's unique qualifications as both Creator and Redeemer, making Him the only one capable of bringing this cosmic symphony into being. The realization of this plan happens "in the fullness of time," emphasizing God's perfect timing and purposeful orchestration of history, culminating in Christ's first advent and continuing until His final return when all things are fully subjected to Him. It's a grand vision of God bringing all things back to Himself, glorifying Christ through a unified and perfectly ordered cosmos.