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Bible Study
The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course
Part IV--The Family Of God / The Body Of Christ
A. Lesson 19--The Nature Of Christ's Body
1. READ: EPHESIANS 1:1-23
a. What did God place under Jesus' feet?
Answer: God placed ALL things under Jesus' feet,
(verse 22).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
In the phrase "placed all things under His feet,"
the word "placed" ("put" in KJV) is
hypotasso in the original Greek. It was originally
used as a military term, meaning "to place" or
"rank under;" then, "to subject, put in
subjection." "All things" (Greek:
panta) will not only be placed under Christ's feet,
but put there in a state of complete subjection to Him. Only
then will there be peace among men:
Luke 2:13-14: "Suddenly a great
company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God
and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
to men on whom His favor rests.'"
Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was
pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him [Christ], and through
Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the
cross."
The verb ("placed" or "put") is in
the aorist tense, indicating that this has now been done. But
this might almost be called a prophetic aorist. In the mind
and purpose of God everything is already in subjection under His
Son. But the actual completing of this Will, in action, waits
for the end of this age (see Hebrews 2:6-10
below).
All beings
and things are subject to Jesus, whether they be thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities:
Matthew 28:18: "Then Jesus came to
them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to Me.'"
Colossians 1:15-18: "He is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He
is before all things, and in Him all things hold
together."
Colossians 2:9-10: "For in Christ all the
fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given
fullness in Christ, Who is the head over every power and
authority." Psalms 8:4-8 emphasizes the destiny of man; he is
ruler over the works of God's hands here on earth:
"What is man that You [God] are mindful of him, the son
of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower
than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and
honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You
put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts
of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all
that swim the paths of the seas." But
Hebrews 2:6-10 shows that ultimately it is the Son of
Man Who rules over everything:
"But there is a place where someone has
testified: "What is man that You [God] are mindful of
him, the Son of Man that You care for Him? You made Him a
little lower than the angels; You crowned Him with glory and honor
and put everything under His feet.' In putting
everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him.
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him. But
we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, now
crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by
the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. In bringing
many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for Whom and through
Whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation
perfect through suffering." Yet at
present, we do not see everything subject to Jesus because there is
a patient waiting on the part of God--His infinite
kindness--for all to come to repentance, and a waiting on the
part of Christ, Who has all authority at the right hand of God, for
everything to be subject to Him, including all of His
enemies:
Matthew 22:44: [Jesus quoting from
Psalm 110:1, written by David:] "The Lord
[God] said to my [David's] Lord [Jesus Christ]:
"Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your
feet.'"
Romans 2:4: "Or do you show
contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience,
not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward
repentance?"
Hebrews 10:12-13: "But when this
priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He
sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits
for His enemies to be made His footstool..."
2 Peter 3:9-15: "The Lord is not
slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a
thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be
destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid
bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what
kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly
lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with
His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,
the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you
are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found
spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that
our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul
also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him."
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