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

b. What did God appoint Jesus to be?

Answer: God appointed Jesus to be head over everything for the church, (verse 22).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• The phrase that is translated as "God appointed Jesus to be head over everything for the church" in the NIV is translated "and gave Him to be head over all things to the church" in the KJV. In the original Greek, there is a double emphasis given to Christ. The thought is this: Him (Jesus)--the One Whom God raised from the dead and exalted to His right hand (verse 20), far above every power and name (verse 21)--God has given to the church as its head.

  Because God placed all things under Jesus' feet, HE is the head over everything for the church. The church is His body, those called out of the world of those thrones or powers or rulers or authorities over which Jesus has all authority, and for whom He died.

• The metaphorical use of the word "head" further emphasizes that Christ is the life of, the mind of, the power of, the energy of, the sympathy/empathy of the body, which is the church He died for.

• See the Glossary for "Church / Assembly."