Verses to review today: Ephesians 1:3-20 (see the tips of previous day)
New Verses: Ephesians 1:21

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (ESV)

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (KJV)

Greek: 21 ὑπεράνω πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας καὶ δυνάμεως καὶ κυριότητος καὶ παντὸς ὀνόματος ὀνομαζομένου, οὐ μόνον ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι•

Transliterated Greek: 21 hyperanō pasēs archēs kai exousias kai dynameōs kai kyriotētos kai pantos onomatos onomazomenou, ou monon en tō aiōni toutō alla kai en tō mellonti•

Literal Word for Word Translation: 21 above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this age but also in the coming one (the one intended).•

Vocab: ὑπεράνω, hyperanō, of above; ἀρχῆς, archēs, of beginning, or power/rule; ἐξουσίας, exousias, of authority; δυνάμεως, dynameōs, of power; κυριότητος, kyriotētos, of lordship; ὀνόματος, onomatos, of name/authority/cause; ὀνομαζομένου, onomazomenou, of being named; αἰῶνι, aiōni, to/for an age; μέλλοντι, mellonti, that to which is intended.

Commentary: Full sentence that verse 21 ends: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Not only is Jesus seated at the right hand of power and majesty in the abode of God, but He is far above every power and authority that exists, now and in the future. He is above every ruler on earth, as well as in the angelic and demonic realms. In other words, there is NO ONE greater than Jesus, except the Father! Even the name of Jesus, which represents His character and His very nature, “Yah is salvation,” as well as His other names, the “son of man,” “son of God,” “son of David,” and etc., is and are above all other names. And the most reassuring fact is that His name and position is not just supreme now, but in the final age to come!

Given the supremacy of the name of Jesus, doesn’t it make sense that Christian prayers should be in the name of Jesus? Lately there has been a trend, especially among youth pastors, to end their prayers with “in your name,” without stating the name! Are they ashamed of the name of Jesus? Some say that God knows what they mean. That is fine and dandy, but the name has power and is the name that brings us to God. The reason most often stated for not using Jesus’ name is that there then is no offense in a public crowd. However, Jesus said to pray in His name (Jn 14:12-14; 16:23-24). He also said, whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels (Lk 9:26). Since when did Jesus want us to drop His name and water down the gospel in order to reach more people for Christ? Seems kind of contradictory doesn’t it?