ALL

ALL THINGS

The next passage (1 Cor. 15:27,28) we must consider together with Hebrews 2:8-10 :

`For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He

is excepted, which did put the all things (ta panta) under Him. And when the all things (ta panta) shall be

subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put the all things (ta panta) under

Him, that God may be all in all'.

We must not take it as proved that God cannot be all in all in the destruction of some as in the salvation of

others; it is a sentimental conclusion which must not weigh with us here. In this passage we find the wider

expression used first, then in repetition the article is used, and in this case it would seem that throughout one aspect

is intended. This is further emphasized by the one exception which emphasizes the universality of all things which

are to be subjected beneath the feet of Christ. Hebrews 2:8-10 definitely states this:

`Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put the all things (ta panta) in subjection

under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet the all things (ta panta), put under

Him ... For it became Him, for whom are the all things (ta panta), and by (through) whom are the all things (ta

panta), in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering'.

Returning for a moment to 1 Corinthians 15:27,28 we must remember that the context speaks of the subjection

and destruction of enemies. In verse 24 we read:

`Then the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have

abolished (katargeo) every principality (arche), and every authority (exousia), and power (dunamis). For He

must reign, until He hath placed all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be abolished (katargeo) is

It is manifest by the sequence of thought that the principalities, authorities and powers which are to be destroyed

are enemies, otherwise the connection of verses 24 and 25 by the word `for' loses its force. Turning to Ephesians

1:21-23 we read of the exaltation of Christ as being -

`Far above every principality (arche, see above on 1 Cor. 15:27,28), and authority (exousia) and power

(dunamis) and lordship (kuriotes), and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to

come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His

body, the fulness of Him that the all things (ta panta) with all is filling'.

It will be at once noticed that we have the repetition of those spiritual powers which were mentioned so

particularly in 1 Corinthians 15. The epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians speak of principalities and powers

several times, and as it is evident that these are largely in view with regard to the subject under consideration, we

will take note of the passages before passing on.

`To the intent that now unto the principalities (arche), and authorities (exousia) in the heavenlies might be

known by the church the manifold wisdom of God' (Eph. 3:10).

`For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities (arche), with the authorities (exousia), with

the world-rulers of this darkness, with the spiritual things of wickedness in the heavenlies' (Eph. 6:12).

`For by Him were created the all things (ta panta), the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, the

things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones, or lordships (kuriotes) whether principalities (arche), or

authorities (exousia), the all things (ta panta) for Him, and unto Him have been created, and He is before the all

things (ta panta), and by Him the all things (ta panta) consist, and He is the Head of the body the church: Who is

the Beginning, First-born out of the dead, in order that among all He might become pre-eminent; because in Him

it was thought good that all the fulness should dwell' (Col. 1:16-19).

`Because in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And you are filled full by Him, Who is the

Head of every principality (arche) and authority (exousia)' (Col. 2:9,10).

`Having put off the principalities (arche), and the authorities (exousia), He made a public exhibition of them,

having triumphed over them by it' (Col. 2:15).

The parallelism of these verses is worth noticing: