Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Ephesians 1:20 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 20. 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
God's power is defined by the resurrection and enthronement of Christ.
The church needs eyes to see what it already has in the risen Christ.
This verse is one part of that explanation in Ephesians 1:15–23. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Ephesians 1:15–23
Read Ephesians 1:15–23 as a complete section. Verses 15–19 state Paul's thanksgiving and requests; verses 20–23 define the power he wants the readers to know through Christ's resurrection, exaltation, and headship.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The prayer turns praise into understanding. It prepares readers to see that the power at work in their salvation is the resurrection power that exalted Christ over every competing rule and authority.
Read Ephesians 1:20–23 together
Why these verses belong together: Christ's resurrection, exaltation, supremacy, headship, and relation to the church explain God's power together.
Verse 20. 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Verse 21. 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Verse 22. 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Verse 23. 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
What Remains True
God's power is defined by raising and exalting Christ, not by human display or spiritual technique.
How It Can Shape Life
- Measure claims about spiritual power against the risen and reigning Christ, and seek faithful allegiance rather than control.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Ephesians 1:15–23 — Prayer to Know God's Hope and PowerSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The exact KJV wording and immediate English context for Ephesians 1:15–23.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Ephesians 1; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and sentence relationships used to check the passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Eph.txt, Ephesians 1, verses within Ephesians 1:15–23.
Open the Ephesians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Ephesians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants checked for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Ephesians 1, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Ephesians 1:15–23.
Open NET Ephesians 1 ↗