Ephesians 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's remarkable statement that God's purpose includes making 'known by the church' — to 'principalities and powers in heavenly places' — the 'manifold wisdom of God' presents the gathered, reconciled community of Jew and Gentile as a cosmic theological announcement. The 'principalities and powers' (archai kai exousiai) are the spiritual hierarchies whose created order had separated nations and peoples; the church's existence as a multi-ethnic body overturns that order as a declaration of the superior wisdom of new creation. The Greek 'polypoikilos sophia' (manifold/many-coloured wisdom) uses an extravagant compound adjective applied elsewhere to embroidery, suggesting the rich complexity of God's redemptive plan. This cosmic ecclesiology has been formative for ecumenical, missiological, and post-colonial theologies that see church diversity as gospel demonstration.
Other Translations
to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly <FI>places<Fi> , through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,
So that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavens might be made clear through the church the wide-shining wisdom of God,
Cross References
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, …
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between …
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his …
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy …
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he …
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with …
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be …
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast …