Who Is Above All

One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4: 5, 6

How is God the Father ‘above all?’  We want to consider this in the light of what we know about the other members of the Trinity, Who are, ‘the same in substance, equal in power and glory’ with the Father.  We may gain understanding by considering it this way.: each of the Members of the Trinity have a role to fulfill.  For the purposes of fulfilling that role they voluntarily position themselves in particular ways.  Paul indicates this in Philippians 2 when he says of Christ, ‘who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.’  He alludes to it again in I Corinthians 15:28, ‘Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.’  These are clear references where we see the interaction of these Persons of the Trinity which indicate that the Father is indeed ‘above all.’  This does not devalue the standing of either Christ the Son or of the Holy Spirit.  Even though they are ‘the same in substance, equal in power and glory,’ they do no harm to their standing in the Trinity by assuming these positions in order to execute the decree of God.  For our own part, it is of great comfort to us that God the Father is indeed ‘above all.’  We can be secure in His Sovereignty, rest in His goodness, and rejoice in His amazing grace.  This has brought Christ to us and us to Christ.  Because the Father, being ‘over all’ knows what we need the most.

Our Wise and Sovereign God,
we rejoice that You do all things well.
We praise You that each member of the Trinity
accomplishes His particular purpose
and makes His contribution to the accomplishment of Your will.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning