Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come:
All Commentaries on Ephesians 1:21 Go To Ephesians 1
John Chrysostom
AD 407
* Far above all rule, he says.
Need then indeed is there of the Spirit, of an understanding wise in the knowledge of Him. Need then is there indeed of revelation. Reflect, how vast is the distance between the nature of man and of God. Yet from this vile estate has He exalted Him to that high dignity. Nor does He mount by degrees, first one step, then another, then a third. Amazing! He does not simply say, above, but, far above; for God is above those powers which are above. And there then has He raised Him, Him that is one of us, brought Him from the lowest point to the supremest sovereignty, to that beyond which there is no other honor. Above all principality, he says, not, i.e., over one and not over another, but over all,
* Rule and authority and power, and dominion, and every name that is named.
Whatever there be in Heaven, He has become above all. And this is said of Him that was raised from the dead which is worthy of our admiration; for of God the Word, it cannot possibly be, because what insects are in comparison of man, this the whole creation is in comparison of God. If all mankind are to be counted as spittle and were counted as the turn of a balance, consider the invisible powers as insects. But of Him that was one of us, this is great and surprising indeed. For He raised Him up from the very lowest parts of the earth. If all the nations are as a drop, how small a portion then of that drop is a single man! Yet Him has He made higher than all things, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Therefore powers there are whose names are to us unintelligible, and unknown.
