Ephesians 1:23 kjv

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 nkjv

which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 niv

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:23 esv

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 nlt

And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Ephesians 1 verses

Ephesians 1 23 Meaning

Ephesians 1:23 describes the profound relationship between Christ and His Church. The Church is His "body," an organic and vital extension of Himself. It is also called "the fullness" of Christ, meaning it serves as His complete manifestation and embodiment on earth, being continually filled and perfected by Him. This fullness flows from Christ, who comprehensively and universally fills "all in all," asserting His divine omnipresence, sovereignty, and active work throughout creation and in the lives of believers.

Ephesians 1 23 Context

Ephesians chapter 1 opens with Paul's thanksgiving for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers in Christ, emphasizing God's eternal plan of salvation (vv. 3-14). It then transitions into a powerful prayer for the Ephesians, asking that they might receive spiritual wisdom and revelation to comprehend the hope of their calling, the riches of God's glory, and the "immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe" (vv. 15-19). Verses 20-22 vividly describe the demonstration of this power in Christ's resurrection from the dead, His ascension, and His exaltation to the supreme position in the heavens, far above all authority and dominion, with all things subjected under His feet. Verse 23, therefore, directly follows this description of Christ's supreme authority, identifying the Church as the specific entity over which Christ has been given as "head over all things," and defining the nature of the Church's relationship to this exalted Christ: it is His body, His complete manifestation, continually empowered and filled by His universal presence. The historical context reflects a growing emphasis on understanding Christ's supremacy in the midst of emerging philosophical or religious ideas that might diminish His central role.

Ephesians 1 23 Word analysis

• which is: Refers back to the "church" (Greek: ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia) mentioned in the preceding verse (Eph 1:22). This pronoun makes it clear that the Church is the subject of this description.
• His body: (Greek: σῶμα αὐτοῦ, sōma autou). This is a foundational Pauline metaphor for the Church. It signifies an organic, living union with Christ, where the Church is not merely an organization but an actual extension and physical representation of Christ in the world. As the body needs the head, so the Church needs Christ for direction, sustenance, and life. This concept highlights Christ's intimate connection and ongoing activity through His followers.
• the fullness: (Greek: τὸ πλήρωμα, to plērōma). This word is highly significant and has been debated.
  • Original Context: In Hellenistic Greek and various philosophical and religious systems (like early Gnostic thought), plērōma could refer to the sum total of divine powers, emanations, or attributes.
  • Biblical Meaning: Paul uses plērōma here to assert that the Church is the complete complement or manifestation of Christ. It's not that Christ is incomplete without the Church, but rather that the Church is the space or vessel through which Christ chooses to fully express and actualize His redemptive work and presence in the world. It is the manifestation of Christ's immeasurable greatness (Col 1:19; Col 2:9).
  • Polemics: This likely counters emerging heresies (like early Gnosticism) that posited spiritual intermediaries or aeons as the "fullness" of God. Paul firmly asserts Christ Himself as the true fullness and the Church as the unique object and means of His cosmic manifestation, rejecting any alternative channels or deficient views of Christ.
• of Him: Refers unequivocally to Christ. The "fullness" spoken of belongs to Christ and is His own expression.
• who fills: (Greek: τοῦ τὰ πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν πληρουμένου, tou ta panta en pasin plēroumenou). The participle πληρουμένου (plēroumenou) is debated whether it should be translated as active or passive, and the context often determines the interpretation.
  • Passive sense: "who is being filled" – meaning Christ is being filled by "all in all" (unlikely for the exalted Christ).
  • Active sense: "who fills" – meaning Christ is the active agent filling all things. This is the predominant scholarly view and best fits the preceding description of Christ's supreme power and authority (Eph 1:20-22). Christ is not the one being filled but the one doing the filling. He imparts His life, power, and presence.
• all in all: (Greek: τὰ πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν, ta panta en pasin). This comprehensive phrase indicates the universal and complete scope of Christ's activity.
  • "all things" (ta panta): Refers to the entire creation, the cosmos, and the comprehensive scope of Christ's sovereignty and work.
  • "in all" (en pasin): Can be interpreted as "in all respects" (His fullness and activity pervades every area) or "among all people" (He fills the lives of all believers). Given the cosmic scope earlier described for Christ's reign, it embraces both universal dominion and specific filling of believers. He permeates and completes everything in creation and fully indwells His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• His body, the fullness of Him: This pairing establishes the profound spiritual and existential connection between Christ and the Church. The Church is both an organic extension (His body) and a complete manifestation (His fullness). This highlights the Church's indispensable role in God's eternal purpose and Christ's ongoing redemptive work. It speaks to the Church's identity as a Christ-centric community, bearing His likeness and actively carrying out His will in the world.
• who fills all in all: This phrase elevates the stature of Christ, portraying Him as the omnipresent, omnipotent Lord. It assures that the one who animates and completes His Church is Himself the active agent of universal filling and cosmic rule. This ensures that the Church, being His "body" and "fullness," draws directly from infinite divine power and presence, ensuring its vitality and effectiveness in proclaiming and manifesting the reality of Christ's kingdom.

Ephesians 1 23 Bonus section

The passive participle πληρουμένου (plēroumenou) when translated as active "who fills" (as generally agreed for this context) emphasizes a unique theological principle. While typically a passive participle describes someone being acted upon, in this instance, it is often understood as a "middle voice" meaning Christ "fills Himself" with all things, or more simply an instance where the active meaning is implied by the verb's usage (such as a 'deponent' passive form). This points to Christ's divine initiative and sovereignty. He isn't receiving His fullness from elsewhere; rather, His intrinsic, inherent fullness is pouring out and actively permeating everything. This reinforces the comprehensive scope of Christ's dominion and the extent to which He empowers His Church.

Ephesians 1 23 Commentary

Ephesians 1:23 stands as a monumental declaration of the Church's identity and its organic union with the exalted Christ. It unequivocally states that the Church is not merely a human institution but is divinely appointed as Christ's "body," signifying an intimate, living, and dynamic relationship where Christ is the Head (Eph 1:22) and the Church His dependent yet essential counterpart. Furthermore, it defines the Church as "the fullness" of Christ, meaning it serves as His unique and complete expression in the earthly realm. This is not to imply Christ is incomplete without the Church, but rather that the Church is the vehicle through which His redemptive work, glory, and very presence are fully manifested in the created order. This remarkable reality is made possible because it is Christ Himself who "fills all in all"—He is the active, permeating presence who supremely governs and intimately indwells both the entire cosmos and every individual believer within His Church. This cosmic scope of Christ's power ensures that the Church, His body, draws from an inexhaustible source of divine life and enables it to effectively display His nature and purpose to the world.