Ephesians 4:6 – “One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Extended Explanation
This verse is the final statement in a series of truths about Christian unity (Ephesians 4:4–6). Paul emphasizes that there is only one true God, and He is the Father of all believers. This verse reinforces that God is not distant or divided, but He is actively involved in His creation and in the lives of His people.
Paul describes God in three ways:
- “Over all” – God is sovereign. He rules over everything, and nothing happens outside of His control.
- “Through all” – God is actively working in the world. His presence and power sustain all things.
- “In all” – God is near. He is not a distant ruler but personally involved in the lives of believers.
This verse highlights God’s authority, His presence, and His closeness to His people. It reminds us that, though Christians come from different backgrounds, they all worship the same God and are part of the same spiritual family.
Historical Context
Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned in Rome (A.D. 60–62). The church in Ephesus was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Many Jews had been raised in a strict religious tradition, while Gentiles came from a background of idol worship and multiple gods. Paul needed to make it clear: there is only one true God, and He is the Father of all who believe in Jesus.
The idea of one God was foundational for the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 6:4), but Gentile believers had come from cultures that worshiped many gods. In the Roman world, people often worshiped household gods, nature gods, and even the emperor. Paul’s declaration that there is only one God and Father of all was a bold statement that rejected the false gods of the culture.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches the oneness and sovereignty of God. Paul is not saying that all people automatically have a relationship with God, but that there is only one true God who is the Father of those who believe in Jesus.
- God is sovereign (“over all”) – He rules over creation, history, and salvation. Nothing happens outside of His will.
- God is present (“through all”) – He is not distant but actively involved in sustaining and guiding His people.
- God is personal (“in all”) – He dwells in believers through the Holy Spirit and is close to those who trust in Him.
This verse also points to the unity of the Church. Since all believers share the same Father, they should live in harmony. Just as a family is united by having the same parent, Christians are united because they belong to the same God.
Literary Analysis
Ephesians 4:6 is part of a larger passage (Ephesians 4:4–6) where Paul repeatedly emphasizes the word “one” to stress unity. The structure builds to a climax:
- One body (the Church)
- One Spirit (the Holy Spirit)
- One hope (eternal life)
- One Lord (Jesus Christ)
- One faith (trust in Jesus)
- One baptism (into Christ)
- One God and Father of all
This final statement is the highest point. Everything in the Christian faith is rooted in the fact that there is only one God who is over everything. Paul uses three phrases (“over all, through all, in all”) to show the completeness of God’s rule and presence.
Biblical Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
- Malachi 2:10 – “Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us?”
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”
- Romans 11:36 – “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
- Colossians 1:17 – “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds Christians that God is not just a distant ruler—He is a loving Father who is actively involved in their lives. Many people today feel lost, anxious, or disconnected, but this verse reassures believers that God is in control, working through everything, and personally present with them.
It also challenges believers to live in unity. If all Christians have the same Father, then they should treat one another as family. There is no room for division, hatred, or pride among those who belong to the one true God.
This verse also calls believers to trust in God’s sovereignty. The world can feel chaotic, but God is “over all”—nothing is outside His control. Christians can rest in the fact that God is guiding history and working everything for His purposes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s fatherhood is a key theme in this verse. Unlike the false gods of the ancient world (who were distant and unpredictable), the true God is a loving Father who cares for His people.
God’s love is seen in His desire to be near to His children. He is not just ruling from heaven—He is working through all things and dwelling in those who believe in Him. His presence brings peace, security, and purpose to His people.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the one who makes it possible for us to call God Father. Through His death and resurrection, He brings people into the family of God:
- Jesus reveals the Father – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
- Jesus is the way to the Father – “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- Jesus brings believers into God’s family – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
Because of Jesus, believers are not just God’s creation—they are His children, and He is their Father.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean for God to be “over all, through all, and in all” in your life?
- How does knowing that God is your Father change the way you think about Him?
- In what ways do you see God working “through all” circumstances in your life?
- How does this verse encourage unity among Christians?
- How does Jesus make it possible for us to know God as our Father?