Chapter
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Verse

Ephesians 1:22

ESV And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
NIV And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
NASB And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church,
CSB And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church,
NLT God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
KJV And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
NKJV And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

What does Ephesians 1:22 mean?

At the will of God the Father, Jesus rules over everything. Both the Father and the Son reign together over all created things, according to Paul's words in this verse. This includes the church, the bride of Christ, a theme Paul will develop in detail in chapter 5. Paul elsewhere called the church "the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). The church belongs to Jesus. The church serves as the foundation of God's truth to the world.

Many Christians believe they can grow spiritually apart from the church. This passage and others speak against this idea. Interaction with the church—the human, living group of fellow believers—is essential to a believer's spiritual health. Though imperfect, it is the family of believers working together who serve as God's bride in this world. This requires cooperation and unity. The church is intended to seek God's goals for our lives both collectively and individually. Those who seek to grow spiritually without church involvement miss out on an important aspect of faith. Being part of a church is part of God's design, and is foundational to spiritual maturity.
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