The Whole Family Ephesians 3:15

Because of the "glory" which was afforded to the Ephesian church members, Paul the apostle endured "tribulations" and "bowed" his "knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ". In chapter three and verse fifteen of his letter, Paul told the Ephesians "the whole family in heaven and earth is named". We read:

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

The verse begins, “Of whom the whole family...” Paul began with the words, “Of whom” which means “that, which and what” “the whole family” which refers to “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone of a lineage running back to some progenitor, ancestry, a nation, country or tribe”. Paul referred to the “entire family” of God in reference to those for whom he “bowed” his “knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

The verse continues, “...in heaven and earth is named,” Paul added, “in heaven” which refers to “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it, the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “and earth” or “the earth as a whole, the earth as opposed to the heavens, the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals, a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory and region” “is named” which means “to utter, to make mention of the name”. All who are in “heaven and earth” are “mentioned” in reference and affiliation to Paul's humility.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the expanse of reach the gospel affected. All "heaven and earth" would know the divine plan of God to provide Salvation to every person. Since He went to such lengths to provide knowledge of this, should we ever doubt that God Almighty through His Son Jesus desires to save us all?

Next time Paul desires for the Ephesians “to be strengthened with might by” God's “Spirit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.