“One God” is now the “Father of all who is over all and through all and in all”(Ephesians 4:6). Some want this verse to support universalism, the idea that God makes all people His saved children, whether they believe or disbelieve. Universalists forget that the God of unity remains the God of holiness. He still makes a distinction between those made holy “in Christ” and those outside Christ. The Bible certainly teaches that God loves all people. He gave His Son’s life for them all (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). Just as clearly, the same Bible teaches that God condemns those who reject His Son (John 3:18, 36). They are children in the wrong family—children of the devil, children of wrath and destruction (Ephesians 2:2-3 cf. Matthew 13:38; 23:15; John 8:44; 17:12).
Broadly speaking, all people are God’s children, having been created by Him (Acts 17:28). But in the context of Ephesians 1, God is “Father” in two specific ways:
- In the highest sense, God has only one Son. God is “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 cf. John 3:16).
- In the next specific sense, God is Father to His spiritual family. The one Son now shares His Father with all who become God’s children “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3-5 cf. John 20:17).
The “in Christ” theme is important in Ephesians. For example, the letter is addressed, “To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1).
“The ‘in Christ’ theme is important in Ephesians.”
God as Father is also a prominent theme. The Ephesian Christians receive grace and peace “from God our Father” (Ephesians 1:2). Ephesians begins and continues with this meaning for “Father” (Ephesians 1:2, 3, 17; 2:18; 3:14; 4:6; 5:20; 6:23). In Ephesians 4:6, then, “Father” is the one God’s special relationship with His children adopted “in Christ.”
- As Father, He unites them by being “over” them all. He is the highest authority to whom they all submit.
- As Father, He unites them by being “through” them all. His divine presence flows through them, filling and connecting the entire spiritual family.
- As Father, He unites them by being “in” them all. His divine presence dwells within each spiritual child.
In earthly cultures, one father may have different families by different wives. Some fathers who travel for work have a rural family and a city family. God is not like that. God is the one Father of one family. He unites them all by being “over” and “through” and “in” each of His children.