Ephesians 1:20

Authorized King James Version

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἣν

G3739

Which

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐνήργησεν

G1754

he wrought

to be active, efficient

ἐν

G1722

him at

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστῷ

G5547

Christ

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐγείρας

G1453

when he raised

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ

G1537

from

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν

G3498

the dead

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

#10

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#11

ἐκάθισεν

G2523

set

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

#12

ἐν

G1722

him at

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#13

δεξιᾷ

G1188

right hand

the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)

#14

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#15

ἐν

G1722

him at

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#16

τοῖς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

ἐπουρανίοις

G2032

the heavenly

above the sky

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this verse's literary context within Ephesians chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

Salvation